Euro-BioImaging Business Plan

Transcription

1 European Research Infrastructure for Imaging Technologies in Biological and Biomedical Sciences Euro-BioImaging Business Plan Executive Summary Recommendation from the Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase Access I Training I Service

2 Full details underlying this summary will be published in the full Euro-BioImaging Business Plan.

3 Euro-BioImaging I 3 Euro-BioImaging Business Plan Executive Summary Recommendation from the Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase The Need for Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging is set to become an international organisation which will enable all European researchers to access and benefit from innovative biological and medical imaging technologies, expertise, service and training essential for performing cuttingedge research in the 21 st Century. New technologies are accelerating the life sciences in the 21 st century. Innovative imaging technologies are revolutionizing biology and medicine by allowing researchers to visualize, characterize and measure molecular and cellular function with a precision never reached before. For the fi rst time in history, we can visualize the molecular processes of life and the basis of human disease, including tumorigenesis, or Alzheimer s disease in living cells and tissues in real time. These technologies allow breakthrough biological discoveries in cells and animal models and their translation into medicine. Imaging technologies are thus the central technology platform that drives fundamental research in most disciplines within the biological and medical sciences. However, the best imaging technologies are only available to very few of the approximately European life scientists while most of them are currently excluded from the imaging revolution. The main reasons for this lack of access are 1) the high costs of the required technology, 2) the high level of expertise required for using the technology, and 3) the insuffi cient capacity of existing imaging facilities to host external users. Thousands of researchers from Europe have already contacted Euro- BioImaging requesting access to imaging technologies and the expert support necessary to apply these technologies most effectively to answer their research questions. These restrictions will rapidly cause Europe to lose its lead and competitiveness in imaging-based research and imaging technology development unless concerted action is taken.

4 4 I Euro-BioImaging Implementing a shared European infrastructure that provides open access to imaging technology is therefore urgently needed for Europe s life sciences to be internationally leading. The Euro-BioImaging business plan presented here summarizes the recommended infrastructure model developed during the Euro-BioImaging preparatory phase that will address this need. The future Euro-BioImaging infrastructure provides the imaging technologies that are needed by Europe s scientists to remain at the forefront of life science research and has developed a mature and tested procedure through which they can be made openly accessible. Especially in times of financial austerity, Euro-BioImaging provides the best solution for open access to a complete range of cutting-edge technologies by enabling its Member States to share resources and reduce the costs of deployment. World-class imaging centres across Europe will be openly accessible as Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase Steering Committee Nodes to all life scientists based on scientific merit and thereby directly support, accelerate and integrate cutting-edge research in the European Research Area and protect Europe s competitiveness. The Euro-BioImaging preparatory work demonstrated that Euro-BioImaging s infrastructure model is fully operational in over 100 proof-of-concept studies, that delivered rapid publication of high-impact scientific results (over 40 publications and manuscripts within a year). It also impressively documented the strong need for imaging technologies and expert support. Finally, Euro-BioImaging has a solid and thorough finance plan provided by over 70 facilities from 19 European countries and a realistic estimate of its user volume provided by 2,200 research proposals of future users from academia and industry. The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure model is therefore mature and tested and ready for implementation.

5 Euro-BioImaging I 5 Euro-BioImaging Services Euro-BioImaging will provide very valuable services to European researchers and industry: Access Open access to innovative imaging technologies that are currently under-supplied in Europe Training Hands-on-training of users on imaging instruments Advanced training of facility staff/technology experts ( train the trainers ) General training of researchers in imaging technologies (e.g. regular courses on specifi c imaging modalities, e-learning, summer schools etc.) Data Data analysis support for user image data Data storage capacities for user image data Open access to image datasets of broad interest Industry A platform for close interaction between industry, technology developers, imaging facilities and researchers Standards High-quality standards for image acquisition, training and data management Coordination Support of national and scientifi c imaging communities to organize themselves and to interact with each other at the European-level, giving European scientists a voice to express their needs.

6 6 I Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model Euro-BioImaging will be a pan-european research infrastructure with distributed Nodes and a coordinating and supporting Hub. The Hub will provide dedicated support allowing the users to identify, locate and apply for the requested imaging technology at one of the Euro- BioImaging Nodes. The Hub will coordinate the scientific evaluation of user proposals; access to the Nodes will be granted based on scientific merit of the proposal. The Hub will coordinate common data services and training activities tailored to the needs of users and facility staff and ensure a coordinated and complementary infrastructure development. The Nodes will provide access to imaging technologies to external researchers (Euro-BioImaging users). Nodes will be set-up by upgrading existing or creating new imaging facilities. They will support users with the experimental preparation, image acquisition, data analysis and storage. In addition, the Nodes will organize hands-on training in usage of imaging instruments as well as regular user training courses. With the Nodes providing all their expertise and cutting edge technologies and the Hub delivering supporting services, visiting scientists can conduct research of the highest quality and achieve the most efficient image acquisition and analysis. At the same time, Euro-BioImaging will provide the best return on investment by using instruments at full capacity. This form of infrastructure organisation will guarantee the most cost-effective use of investments and the application of the highest quality standards. Importantly, Euro-BioImaging while requiring additional investment in the short term to establish the shared infrastructure will yield significant cost savings in the longer term and provide access to a richer landscape of imaging platforms that will dramatically increase the quality of research.

7 Euro-BioImaging I 7 Euro-BioImaging User Access Policy User access in Euro-BioImaging will be rapid, supportive, transparent, open and if agreed by the future Euro-BioImaging Member States free at the point of service by providing the user with the required funding for access. Funding the fees to access imaging technologies in core facilities (so called fund the user concept) is already implemented and/or anticipated in many funding instruments including ERC grants. In other words, rather than requesting the funds to buy an expensive piece of imaging equipment, the user will receive a grant for paying much lower fees to access latest instruments at the Euro-BioImaging Nodes. Euro-BioImaging will provide the user with the required services and information at all stages of the access procedure. All Euro-BioImaging users will enter the research infrastructure via the web-access portal of the Euro-BioImaging Hub. Users will be guided to the appropriate imaging technology for their scientifi c questions and obtain an overview of the Nodes where the needed technology is available, before they submit their European life scientists as users HUB NODES HUB User training Web-access portal Multimodal technology node Multimodal technology node Flagship node Flagship node Flagship node Flagship node Staff trainig Figure 1: Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model and User access. Euro- BioImaging will build Multimodal Technology Nodes (offering a range of technologies) and Single Flagship Nodes (focusing on a particular innovative imaging technology group). The arrows show the access procedure for users in the Euro- BioImaging infrastructure. Data storage and analysis infrastructure User goes home with results for publication

8 8 I Euro-BioImaging project proposals. Evaluation of proposals will occur in a rapid two-step procedure: first, scientific evaluation of the user proposal by a standing panel of leading experts in the field will be performed, organized and administratively supported by the Hub. Secondly, technical feasibility review and final approval for user access will be done by the selected hosting Node(s). Evaluation criteria for user project proposals comprise scientific and technical quality, soundness of concept and progress beyond state-of-the-art, associated work plan and technical feasibility. The whole evaluation process will be performed in 2-4 weeks and warrants that user access will be based on scientific merit and feasibility only. Euro-BioImaging will also be open to users from industry. In contrast to academic users, industrial users will be expected to pay full costs user access fees as required by law in many European member states.

9 Euro-BioImaging I 9 Euro-BioImaging Governance Euro-BioImaging Hub and Nodes will be in contractual relationships, allowing the Nodes to use the Hub s full range of coordinating and supporting services. The Hub will become a newly created international organisation while Nodes will keep their existing legal identity. European States and Intergovernmental Organisations that are participating in Euro-BioImaging will form the Euro- BioImaging Board, through which they will govern Euro-BioImaging, supported by the Director and Executive Management at the Hub, an independent Scientifi c Advisory Board, the Panel of Nodes, Industry committee, and further advisory bodies as needed (e.g. Ethics Advisory Committee; Figure 2). Countries will have regular opportunities to propose new facilities for inclusion into Euro- BioImaging. These can obtain the status of a Euro- BioImaging Node and logo of excellence after succeeding in a transparent assessment process, in which their scientifi c and technical excellence, European signifi cance of their technology portfolio and service expertise will be independently evaluated by leading international experts from the Scientifi c Advisory Board and additional reviewers, if needed. Based on the independent assessment, the Euro-BioImaging Board will include strong contributions from national imaging capacities into the pan-european research infrastructure. In addition, Euro-BioImaging Nodes will undergo periodic independent review of their service activities by the Scientifi c Advisory Board, to assist the Euro- BioImaging Board in ensuring the highest quality and user satisfaction. Euro-BioImaging piloted a fi rst independent evaluation in its 1 st Open Call for potential Nodes. An Independent Evaluation Board consisting of 33 the world s leading scientists in the fi eld recommended 42 and highly recommended 25 out of a total of 71 expressions of interest for implementation (Figure 4). The results of the evaluation are available to the Euro- BioImaging Interim Board to assist in planning the facilities, which members of the Board will propose for inclusion into Euro-BioImaging. Euro-BioImaging Board Up to 3 delegates from each Euro-BioImaging Member State One chair & two vice-chairs Scientific Advisory Board Panel of Nodes Community specific sub-board Community specific sub-board Executive Management Euro-BioImaging Director Community Specific Section Head of Section Community Specific Section Head of Section Figure 2: Proposal for Euro-BioImaging Governance Structure. Staleholder & User Forum Industry Commitee National Coordinator Committee Ethics Advisory Committee

10 10 I Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging Cost and Finance Model The Euro-BioImaging cost model clearly distinguishes between construction and operation costs necessary for its European Hub and national Nodes (Figure 3). The Hub will require construction of the physical infrastructure to carry out its coordinating and support services for Nodes and users. Construction of the building comprising staff offi ces and a data centre will be fi nanced by the Hub hosting country(ies), while its operation will be commonly funded by all Euro-BioImaging Member States (estimated operational costs 3 Million for supporting 25 Nodes with 1000 users/year). Construction and upgrading of NODES Construction and upgrading of HUB Operation and maintainance of NODES Operation and maintainance of HUB Node construction will be funded by the Euro- BioImaging Member State hosting the Node. According to the information from the 1st Call for Nodes, most of the proposed Nodes will be constructed from existing facilities that require a capacity upgrade, rather than de-novo construction. Node operational costs will be recovered through the user access fees, which will be paid for by user access grants received from national funding sources and European-level instruments for transnational user access such as EC Horizon Funded by hosting Member State Funded by European Commission H2020 and Member State(s) Funded by common Euro-BioImaging Member States budget Figure 3: Funding sources of Euro-BioImaging infrastructure parts Based on the information submitted in the 1 st call for Nodes, we expect the following costs for the capacity upgrade and operation of Euro-BioImaging Nodes: Node capacity upgrade (Median Value) Node operation costs per user (Median value) Biological Node 1.3 Million 9.000/user (30 users/year) Molecular Node 6.7 Million /user (55 users/year) Medical Node 7.2 Million /user (22 users/year) Expected costs for the capacity upgrade and operation to become Euro-BioImaging Nodes. Costs of the upgrade of Biological Imaging Nodes range from 0 to 20 Million (median absolute deviation of 1,1 Million), for Molecular Imaging Nodes from 0 to 20 Million (median absolute deviation 3,7 Million) and Medical Imaging Nodes from 0,3 to 13 Million (median absolute deviation 2,5 Million).

11 Euro-BioImaging I 11 Figure 4: Left: Distribution of successful Euro-BioImaging Nodes applicants in 1 st Open Call. Right: Countries which already committed investment into imaging facilities, including proposed Euro-BioImaging Nodes (Status: Nov 2013). Highly recommended Expression of Interest Recommended Expression of Interest Countries that committed investment into imaging facilities Countries involved in Euro-BioImaging activities In many European countries, the necessary upgrade of imaging facilities to provide open access as Euro-BioImaging Nodes can be built on a solid basis. Substantial national investments of over 200 Million have already been made into Nodes applicants and in some cases these funding commitments have already been coupled to open user access because of Euro-BioImaging. This adds signifi cant value to the investment by impacting many more scientists than comparable investments in the past. Euro-BioImaging is set to grow, particularly in the fi rst years, and the costs of Node and Hub operation are scalable to the actual need. The number of Euro-BioImaging Nodes will be driven by user need and decided by the Euro-BioImaging Member States. The Euro-BioImaging business plan provides a thorough estimate of the costs of implementing the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure. The plan does not attempt to project the cost to Europe of failing to provide access to imaging technologies by not implementing Euro-BioImaging for the reason that such projections are overly contrived and depend on defi ning an arbitrary percentage of lost business and competitiveness. It can be clearly stated, however, that not ensuring access to imaging technologies would signifi cantly impact both European competitiveness at a cost multiple times as high as needed for Euro-BioImaging s implementation and negatively impact the quality of life of European citizens.

12 12 I Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging can grow over time depending on user access demand Euro-BioImaging User access Nodes Nodes? Nodes Figure 5: Euro-BioImaging is set to grow, particularly in the first years and the costs of Node and Hub operation are scalable to actual need Euro-BioImaging s Impact Scientific Impact Euro-BioImaging s open access infrastructure, expertise, training and data services meet the urgent need for access to cutting-edge imaging technologies and will massively improve the research conditions for life sciences in the ERA. A significantly higher number of researchers will gain access to the full range of innovative imaging technologies. This will result in more discoveries in inter-disciplinary scientific areas, more high-impact publications, innovations and technology developments, and extensive collaborations between researchers all over Europe. The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure will massively improve the quality and interdisciplinarity of research by offering many complementary imaging techniques leading to better, wider-spread, and more well-founded results. At the same time, Euro-BioImaging will generate an infrastructure of highly competitive and world-leading imaging facilities the Euro-BioImaging Nodes offering services at the highest level delivered by the best experts in the field.

13 Euro-BioImaging I 13 Economic Impact By opening access to a complete range of cutting-edge imaging technologies while at the same time coordinating and sharing the costs of deployment, Euro-BioImaging will allow its Member States a much better return on investment for biological and medical imaging platforms. The harmonization of access and the close collaboration of Euro-BioImaging with all related ESFRI Research Infrastructures (e.g. ELIXIR, Instruct) will overcome the current duplication of European infrastructure investments in this area. The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure with Nodes in different European regions will create new job opportunities for high potentials (researchers, engineers, technical and managerial professions). It will benefit the European economy by attracting the best professionals to the world-class imaging facilities created by Euro-BioImaging ( brain gain instead of brain drain ). The innovative technology development environment around Euro-BioImaging Nodes will lead to founding of new biotech and bio-optical companies that commercialize newly developed imaging technologies. In addition, the competitiveness of existing companies will be increased by joint technology development with Euro-BioImaging facilities (more representative of the market than individual labs), resulting in new inventions and improved access to the latest innovative imaging platforms. Societal Impact The massively improved research conditions for life scientists will increase European competitiveness, open new fields to European research and fundamentally advance the molecular understanding of health and disease. New and faster drug development will be enabled, leading to better diagnosis, therapy and disease prevention and therewith increasing the quality of life for patients. Euro-BioImaging will provide the essential imaging infrastructure for European scientists to carry out cutting-edge research and to develop the innovative solutions for the grand societal challenges including health, food security, bio-economy, inclusive and innovative societies. It will increase Europe s knowledge-based industry and competitiveness, and foster the development and utilization of intellectual property.

14 14 I Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging s Roadmap to Implementation Euro-BioImaging has successfully finished its Preparatory Phase with a detailed recommendation of a tested infrastructure model. On this basis, Euro-BioImaging launched the Interim Phase, during which most importantly the governance and legal framework will be finalized and agreed on by the Interim Board that formally brings together European countries and intergovernmental organisations that expressed their interest in constructing Euro-BioImaging by signing a Memorandum of Understanding 1. New countries are invited to join the Interim Board at any time. As soon as the Interim Board has agreed on the formal aspects of the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure model, the construction and operation phase will start. From that point onwards, Euro-BioImaging will be governed by the Euro-BioImaging Board and owned by the participating Euro-BioImaging Member States. Euro-BioImaging is rapidly gaining momentum with more countries joining the Interim Board and with new investments in imaging facilities, which expressed their interest to become Euro-BioImaging Nodes already being made all across Europe. The imaging technology portfolio offered by the potential Nodes corresponds to the needs of Europe s researchers, which have been identified in the Euro-BioImaging Survey, Proof-of-Concept Studies and Open Call. The Interim Board will now make the final proposals on the future Nodes to upgrade and include in the open infrastructure, setting a path for the full operation of Euro-BioImaging and provision of imaging technologies to all European biological and medical researchers. Conclusion Euro-BioImaging has developed a mature and tested research infrastructure model for imaging technologies. The model identifies which imaging technologies are needed by Europe s scientists to remain at the forefront of life science research and the procedure through which they can be made openly accessible. Euro-BioImaging has also provided first independent recommendation for its future Member States as to which potential Nodes could provide the needed imaging technologies. Euro-BioImaging furthermore developed a clear recommendation for how it can be governed by its Member States and coordinated and supported by its European Hub. During a short Interim Phase, the Hub hosting country is now being identified and the countries represented in the Interim Board make the final decision on the legal framework for their signature, after which construction and operation will start seamlessly. Over 2,200 already well-defined research projects of European scientists are waiting to be carried out as soon as Euro-BioImaging is launched, demonstrating that imaging technologies are indeed the central technology platform of the life sciences of the future. 1 The Euro-BioImaging MoU entered into force on 27th January By March 2014 Belgium, Italy, the UK, Finland, Slovakia, Poland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, France and EMBL have signed the MoU.

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16 For further information, please contact: Euro-BioImaging Scientific Coordinators: Dr. Jan Ellenberg (Biological Imaging) EMBL Prof. Dr. Oliver Speck (Medical Imaging) EIBIR Project Office Biological Imaging Dr. Antje Keppler, Project Manager Dr. Tanja Ninkovic, Project Offi cer Project Office Medical Imaging Dr. Pamela Zolda, Project Manager European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures ESFRI Euro-BioImaging receives preparatory phase funding under the 7 th Framework Programme of the European Union