The GEMSTONE Project consortium is made up of three beneficiaries: Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University (ACU), Lund University (ULUND), and Fondazione ICONS. ULUND, an internationally leading university with neuroscience labs focused on transgenic animal models, will enhance ACU's scientific knowledge and innovation in the field of neuroscience, especially in neurodevelopmental aspects of brain disorders. The project is coordinated by Prof. Filiz Onat at ACU, an expert in project coordination with extensive experience in epilepsy research at the global and local level.
ULUND is a highly-ranked research-intensive university with extensive experience in EU-funded projects. Prof. Deniz Kirik, a leading investigator in neurodegenerative diseases, leads the BRAINS research team at ULUND. ICONS, a non-profit organization with experience in dissemination, communication, and exploitation, will provide support to ACU in training its staff and researchers. ICONS has a strong background in communication, market analysis, and managing international projects and grants, with EU Grant Office Director Elisabeth Schmid having more than 15 years of experience in EU-funded projects.
All partners are committed to participating in the project as per the work plan and assigned effort and budget by using their facilities, providing training and supervision, participating in internal workshops, serving on the Steering Board, hosting short-term visits, attending the annual Neuroscience Day at ACU and international meetings, contributing to project reporting, and promoting the project's results and outreach activities. The partners have complementary expertise and a genuine synergy in their skills and research interests. ULUND will contribute research-related training activities and access to research facilities.