From Vision to Excellence

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE CZECH CENTRE FOR PHENOGENOMICS

This year, the Czech Centre for Phenogenomics (CCP) celebrates ten years as a national and European hub for advanced disease modelling and phenotyping. Founded from a small transgenic unit at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, CCP evolved into one of Europe’s largest and most advanced infrastructures for phenogenomics. Today, CCP employs around 140–145 specialists and operates fully as a large research infrastructure hosted by the Czech Academy of Sciences.

During this first decade of full operation, CCP has built an integrated pipeline that runs from genome editing to detailed phenotyping and preclinical testing new drugs or therapeutic treatments. Its Transgenic and Archiving Module generates and preserves custom mouse and rat models using state‑of‑the‑art CRISPR‑based approaches, while the Phenotyping Module can measure up to a thousand parameters per animal model across metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, sensory and behavioural domains; all these is complemented by the state-of-the-art BSL‑3 infection laboratories. CCP can thus study rare genetic syndromes, cancer, COVID‑19 and other infectious diseases, all under strict ethical and welfare standards.

CCP’s mission has always been service‑oriented: to act as a “one‑stop shop” for researchers who need sophisticated in vivo models and expertise. The centre now handles more than 1,400 user requests annually from over 300 academic and industrial partners, offering model generation, systemic and specialised phenotyping, GLP‑oriented preclinical studies, and comprehensive bioinformatics support. Through its role as the Czech national node in INFRAFRONTIER and a major contributor to the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, CCP has helped build the global open catalogue of  gene functions.

Over the last few years, CCP has also invested in the future of biomedical research. The RD‑Factory program focuses on rare disease models and gene therapies, while new Advanced In Vitro Models based on iPSCs, organoids and 3D cultures provide human‑relevant alternatives that strengthen the 3Rs and complement animal work. Planned integration of large‑animal models and AI‑driven “digital phenotyping” will further extend CCP’s ability to bridge basic discoveries with translational and clinical applications.

As CCP marks its 10th anniversary, it stands as a mature, internationally recognised infrastructure at the strategic core of Czech and European phenogenomics. The centre’s growth has been driven by close collaboration with national and international infrastructures, strong user engagement, and a commitment to quality, openness and innovation. The coming years will build on this foundation, with CCP continuing to empower research and uphold scientific and service excellence for the benefit of patients and society.