RB-SMU is the only Slovakian research institution entirely focused on medical research and undertakes both e xperimental and clinical research. The University operates a unique specimen biobank with high storage capacity. A high level of project management expertise and appropriate management systems has been established from active participation in several EU Grants within the 5 th and 6 th Framework Programmes (e.g. PCBRISK, PLUTOCRACY, FIBRETOX, ESCODD, MODELKEY) and several PHARE and NIH projects. The institute also participates in numerous national and other international projects (e.g. IARC). It was acknowledged as an EU Centre of Excellence in Environmental Health Research (HEAR NAS QLAM-2001-00445 New Approaches to Hazard and Risk Assessment, Improving Environmental Health Research and Management in Newly Associated States) in 2002. It runs multidisciplinary research groups for projects on reducing the negative impact of environmental factors on the health of the population.

Maria Dusinska, MSc., PhD has 25 years of research experience in molecular epidemiology with special emphasis on the biomonitoring of human populations, new biomarkers; DNA damage and repair; biomarkers of effect and individual susceptibility; genetic polymorphism in biotransformation and repair genes; role of nutrition in health. She is (co-) author of over 110 original papers, and is head of Department. She is a member of Scientific Boards of the IPCM, of the SMU, of Ministry of Health, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences. She sits in the OECD working group for biotechnology and is an independent expert for the FP6 in the thematic area ”Life science”. A member of the editorial board of Mutagenesis, she is also a member of the scientific committee for Comet Assay Workshops (Warsaw 2005, Aberdeen 2003, Smolenice 1999) and others. In the project INTARESE she will be principal investigator of the RB-SMU responsible for coordination and management of the research group. She has been a leader of PI in several FP5 projects, including FIBRETOX, QLK4-1999-01629 and ESCODD, QLK1-1999-00568, EC FP4 INCO-Copernicus- ERBICI 15-CT96-1012, EC PHARE EU/93/AIR/2 (1996-1997), and EC Copernicus - CIPA-CT94-0129.

RB-SMU will contribute to WP2.2 (Biomonitoring), WP2.3 (Health surveillance), WP2.4 (Integrated monitoring), WP3.6 (Wastes) and WP5.2 (Internal training).