The project objective is to raise the excellence and reputation of the Institute of physics (IPB) in all scientific, management, and administrational aspects relevant for international R&I activities. In this context, the emerging scientific field of quantum bio-photonics will be systematically developed and all aspects of classical bio-photonics are going to be significantly improved. The final goal is to establish a quantum biophotonics center at IPB, with scientific excellence and a research light house character. This development will be a result of a tailored institutional strategy for IPB and knowledge transfer through strategic networking with two high-profile European partners, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena (FSU) and the Italian National Research Council (CNR). Quantum bio-photonics is an emerging field for ultra-sensitive and reliable measurements in a wide bio-environment since classical metrology cannot successfully meet the increasing demand for higher sensitivity. Bio-photonics is a concrete, multidisciplinary scientific field with potentially high-impact applications in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, environmental protection. Therefore, it is crucial that an institutional strategy should include a tailored scientific strategy addressing this specific scientific field. A scientific exploratory project will include the development of all relevant methods and practices learned from the European partners. A long-term partner of IPB, the Faculty of biology University of Belgrade, is included to help IPB biologists in choosing, preparing and cultivating suitable biosamples. In particular, the project consortium is pursuing the following project goals regarding the expansion and strengthening of the resources and know at IPB: i) developing a short-term institutional strategy including excellent research at IPB based on strong development of quantum biophotonics, ii) improving management, administration, and organization skills in IPB, utilizing

The project proposes to organize the exchange of staff of three Academic institutions from Serbia (coordinator), Turkey and Finland, two SMEs from France and Turkey and three TC institutions (two from USA and one from Costa Rica) towards the production of an innovative automated multifunctional device for diagnostics of neurodegenerative diseases. The objectives addressed will be: • Development of experimental cellular models and procedures with immunoglobulins (IgGs) from patient sera as diagnostic and prognostic technologies related to neurodegenerative diseases (particularly based on studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - ALS). • Defining mark-up characteristics of the standardized in vitro approach for personalized diagnostic protocols. • Design of a small-scale platform based on automated fluorescence microscopy. These objectives are based on previous studies on ALS of the coordinators group, however the project also proposes to study the applications on other neuroinflammations and neurodegenerative conditions. This addresses a relevant R & I as well as a socioeconomic medical issue. It is the right timing for addresing this research chalange towards application by means of networking that will deal with interesectorial and international exchange of expertise. In addition, three workshops and two training schools will be organized followed by an elaborate dissemination programme. Carrier plans will be designed for the seconded staff in order to maintain the sustainability of the Action.

ProPollSoil aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between soil health and soil-dependent pollinators, which spend part of their life cycle in or on soil and play vital roles in ecosystems and agriculture, providing services like pollination, decomposition and nutrient cycling. We specifically focus on lesser-known species and groups, such as ground-nesting bees, wasps, hoverflies, ants or beetles. ProPollSoil will identify how intensive soil management practices and contamination, threatening both pollinator and soil health, contribute to the decline of soil-dependent pollinators. This knowledge will be used to inform sustainable soil practices and guide conservation and restoration efforts. We will (i) conduct a pan-European field sampling campaign, including SOB4ES sites, (ii) develop novel monitoring methods, including eDNA and AI, (iii) perform lab studies to fill existing knowledge gaps, such as the role soil microbiota, (iv) assess intensive management, soil compaction and soil pollution as potential soil and pollinator threats within a co-creation research approach in nine Case Study Areas (CSAs), and (v) use different modelling approaches to produce EU-wide maps of soil substrate availability and hence pollinator suitability. Our multi-disciplinary team involves experts in soil science, pollinator ecology and biology, biodiversity monitoring, big data, social sciences, modelling and ecotoxicology. By contributing new knowledge and data on soil health and pollinator diversity, maps on pollinator and soil habitat quality and novel approaches for joint soil and pollinator monitoring to the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” and the EU Pollinators Initiative, “A New Deal for Pollinators“, ProPollSoil will support strategies for reducing soil pollution, improving soil structure, safeguarding pollinators and raising awareness of the importance of soil for pollinators. Our results will be shared with the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC) and inform the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO). ProPollSoil will collaborate closely with HORIZON projects like SOB4ES, RestPoll, BIOservicES and BUTTERFLY through data exchange and joint stakeholder and outreach campaigns and use of CSAs. Long-term impact will be ensured through shared sampling, outreach and data tools. Aligned with EU and global biodiversity strategies, ProPollSoil supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as halting biodiversity loss (SDG15, through providing best-practice guides aimed at conserving soil and pollinator health) and ensuring food security (SDG2, through improving soil and pollinator health). ProPollSoil will use a multi-actor approach, engaging stakeholders like farmers, industry, NGOs, citizens and municipalities, to ensure the co-creation of new knowledge on soil-pollinator interactions, while also promoting soil literacy and highlighting the essential role of healthy soils in maintaining pollinator populations and ecosystem resilience.