The BIOCEV project was launched October 31 at an official ceremony at the headquarters of the ASCR, with the inauguration of the first research program, Functional Genomics. BIOCEV is one of six major approved projects that are to become centers of scientific excellence in the Czech Republic and Europe. BIOCEV's research program is focused on two current and rapidly changing scientific fields - biomedicine and biotechnologies - and combines primary and applied research. The results of the scientific research are expected to be used to develop new medicaments and diagnostic processes. The new center is funded by the European Commission's Operational Program Research and Development for Innovation through a grant won by the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University Prague. and Luděk Svoboda.
The Swedish Royal Technology Mission 2012, which included King Carl XVI Gustaf, met on May 9, 2012 at the headquarters of th n n the ASCR with the representatives of Academy of Sciences. At the opening, President of the ASCR Jiří Drahoš briefly introduced the ASCR and its role in our system of science and research, including international cooperation projects. The Swedish delegation then was acquainted with the Tokamak COMPASS project, the PALS system and with the future superlaser ELI. The day before, the Swedish guests were welcomed at the Institute of Botany in Průhonice, where the Swedish King also inspected and expressed great interest the complex of Průhonice Park. The purpose of the Royal Technology Mission visit was to acquire more detailed information of the strategies, initiatives and opportunities in countries of the EU that have industrial, technological and scientific traditions similar to Sweden's. Of the new members of the EU, the ČR is the second largest trading partner of this advanced Scandinavian country; approximately 200 Swedish companies operate here. While in the ČR, the Royal Technology Mission discussed cooperation particularly in three key areas in information technology, nanotechnology and medicine. and Petr Zuna.