National Institute of Chemistry

Kemijski inštitut (KI, National Institute of Chemistry, NIC) is one of the leading research institutions in Slovenia, particularly successful in research commercialisation, and has an excellent track record of EU projects. NIC has been actively involved in EU Framework Programmes since FP7 and later Horizon 2020, continuously building its profile as a reliable and high-performing partner in European research. To date, NIC has participated in more than 100 EU-funded projects, including over 40 projects within Horizon Europe. The institute has coordinated and contributed to diverse collaborative actions, including MSCA, ERC, EIC Pathfinder, and other Horizon schemes, with a strong emphasis on scientific excellence, innovation, and impact. The institute is devoted to scientific excellence and hosts several ERC grantees. In addition, the Institute maintains a strong focus on development activities through strategic collaborations with national and international industrial partners. The Project Management Office supports researchers in acquiring international research projects, integrating into international networks, and collaborating with national and international research and industrial partners, while The Knowledge Transfer Office facilitates industry collaborations and technology commercialization.

Basic and applied research are focused on fields of long-term importance to both Slovenia and the global community: materials science, life sciences, biotechnology, chemical engineering, structural and theoretical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental protection. Through this focus, the institute aligns itself with the needs of domestic and international pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive, and nanobiotechnology industries.

The members of the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at NIC are experts in synthetic biology, protein design, innate immunity, information processing by mammalian cells and medical applications of synthetic immunology. The groups cover a broad interdisciplinary range of technologies and methods, from molecular modelling, mathematical chemistry, biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological techniques with cutting-edge instrumentation, such as the animal facility, protein production, purification and characterisation methods.

Role within SCALPEL

In SCALPEL NIC participates with expertise in protein design. We will design and produce custom-made proteins facilitating the SCALPEL technology and help with the validation of the combined technology.