Reinforcing the Scientific Excellence of the Institute for Ethnopharmacological Studies and Phytotherapy (IESP) through Twinning with Computer Science (CS)

The main goal of the “ETHCSTWIN'' initiative is to establish a collaborative network between the Institute for Ethnopharmacological Studies and Phytotherapy (IESP / NKUA University) with two highly renowned academic research teams from Italy (Research team of Prof. A. Pieroni) and Germany (Research team of Prof.

M.

Hofmann-Apitius), as well as Biotech SME PangeaAI and Uni. of Prishtina (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences) in order to incorporate ETH insights into novel computational and digital frameworks by focusing on developing a rich portfolio of complex methodologies and tools, encompassing the analysis of extensive big data sets and the restoration of both tangible and intangible heritage.

Following thorough research and assessment of data derived from several ethnopharmacological sources (e.g. manuscripts, folklore texts, ethnobotanical studies, ETHCSTWIN's subsequent phase will involve knowledge transfer and capacity building in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Mining methodologies, as well as advancing ethnopharmacological studies among the project's partners.

This newly acquired knowledge and capabilities will contribute to developing of the ETHCSTWIN platform, which will serve as a resource for data collection, processing, and creating an extensive relational database comprising a vast dataset repository.

The project will establish an Ecosystem Excellence Aggregator, presented as an open science community, that will host the ETHCSTWIN database and toolkit and will offer support for stakeholder training.

ETHCSTWIN will provide a unique opportunity for IESP and its partners to develop the first European Ecosystem with IESP as the Regional Research Centre on Ethnopharmacology and Phytotherapy, connecting the Balkans, Mediterranean, and Central Europe.

The successful implementation of this project will facilitate future collaborations with experts in the fields of Ethnopharmacology and Computer Science & will increase IESP’s research capabilities.