The In Life Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Olsztyn) hosted a two-day workshop under the CROSSPATHS project, bringing together laboratory managers, researchers, and technical experts from across Europe.
With participants from Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Estonia, the event fostered collaboration and knowledge exchange on laboratory management, intellectual property, animal research ethics, and welfare. From practical challenges like limited budgets and staff shortages to innovative approaches in livestock research, the workshop highlighted the importance of building resilient, responsible, and collaborative research infrastructures in Europe.
Representing Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rui Magalhães, Manager of Cell Culture and Molecular Biology Platforms and Cristina Santos, Technical Manager of the Analytical Platform for Instrumental Analysis Methods, underlined the practical difficulties that laboratories often face: “Participating in the CROSSPATHS workshop in Poland was an invaluable opportunity to exchange experiences with other platform managers and researchers, gain insights into different operational realities, and reflect on our own practices. The discussions highlighted that the way we approach laboratory management at CBQF is already aligned with international perspectives, while also pointing to areas where we can improve to enhance performance and competitiveness. This interaction reinforced the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing as a means to build stronger partnerships, strengthen our infrastructures, and open new opportunities for future European projects.”
The event, that occurred on September 23–24, concluded with a strong commitment to future collaboration, emphasizing the value of cross-institutional partnerships in strengthening scientific facilities and promoting ethical research practices.
