Antarctica, Between Past and Future Research

Antarctica, a unique space full of scientific opportunities, continues to symbolise international collaboration and key discoveries. Antarctica Day, celebrated on 1 December, invites us to reflect on the importance of this frozen continent and to reaffirm our commitment to contribute to polar research. The National Research and Development Institute for Biological Sciences (INCDSB) aims to strengthen existing collaborations, develop new international partnerships and play an active role in organising expeditions that contribute to understanding and slowing climate change.

Romania has a valuable tradition in Antarctic research, being the country that gave the world Emil Racoviță, one of the pioneers of polar biology and exploration. This heritage inspires us to continue our mission to demonstrate that Romania is an important pillar in the exploration and protection of the polar regions.

ROICE Expeditions: Romania's Contribution to Polar Research

The ROICE expeditions mark an important milestone in Romania's official involvement in polar research. These expeditions, co-ordinated by INCDSB and carried out in partnership with the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), have strengthened the presence of our country in the international scientific community.

In 2014, by Order of the Minister of National Education no. 222/13.05.2014 and with the support of the National Commission for Antarctic Research (CNCA) of the Romanian Academy, the Department of Arctic and Antarctic Research was established within INCDSB. Its mission is to promote polar scientific research, organise expeditions and connect to global efforts to understand the impacts of climate change. The first Romanian governmental expedition to Antarctica took place in 2015, marking the beginning of a series of missions dedicated to research in the polar region.

Key moments of the ROICE Expeditions:

• ROICE 2015 & 2016: The first expeditions focused on studying microbial biodiversity and human adaptation to Antarctica's extreme conditions.
• ROICE 2019 & 2020: These expeditions have included complex investigations of polar microbial ecology and analyses of environmental pollutants, contributing to our understanding of the impacts of climate change on polar ecosystems.

All these expeditions have been conducted at the King Sejong Station on King George Island, West Antarctica, thanks to the close collaboration with KOPRI. The partnership, initially governed by a five-year framework agreement, was renewed in 2024, guaranteeing continued fruitful collaboration.

Exploring the Future: ROICE 2026

Looking to the future, INCDSB is pleased to announce ROICE 2026, a multidisciplinary expedition that continues this tradition of innovation. This ambitious mission, scheduled for January-February 2026, will include a team of five experts:

• Dr Iris Maria Tușa (Expedition Leader): Specialises in human physiology, biomedicine and environmental microbiology. She has participated in several previous expeditions to Antarctica, investigating human adaptation to extreme conditions and microbial biodiversity.
• Dr Ovidiu Vrânceanu: Medical biologist specialised in genetics and molecular biology, with expertise in bacterial mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and their dissemination in extreme ecosystems.
• Dr Roxana Cristian: Chemist specialising in biochemistry and analysis of bioactive compounds in plants, with applications in health, environment and agriculture.
• Dr Georgiana Grigore: Biologist, passionate about the microbiology of extreme ecosystems and biodiversity conservation in fragile environments such as caves and polar regions.
• Dr Eugen Czeizler: Professor and researcher in machine learning and bioinformatics, with extensive experience in modelling biological networks and the use of artificial intelligence in medical studies.

Research will focus on polar microbial ecology, analysis of water pollutants and physiological adaptation of the human body to extreme conditions.

Working together for a Better Future

INCDSB efforts in Antarctica are built on strong international partnerships. The renewed agreement with KOPRI emphasises the commitment to collaboration in polar research. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey and collaboration plans with Bulgaria pave the way for more robust regional co-operation.

An Appeal to Sponsors

With ROICE 2026 on the horizon, INCDSB invites sponsors to join this extraordinary journey of discovery. Your support will help unlock the secrets of this fragile environment, paving the way for sustainable solutions to global challenges.

For those passionate about science and the environment, now is the time to support this remarkable cause. Together we can advance knowledge and protect the future of our planet.

For sponsorship information or to find out more about our Antarctic missions, please visit our website or contact us directly.