European Networking Summer School (Plant Genomics & Bioinformatics) (ENSS)
Summary
Plant genome research developed into one of the most dynamic discipline of molecular life sciences. Plants are recognized as the basis of a bio-based economy and play a fundamental rule to sustain our environment. European countries bundle their efforts in the filed in national and regional research programs. Some of those have already developed sustainable co-operations with joint research projects. But many of these activities are currently limited to Western Europe. The fundamental idea of this project is to support research networks all over Europe including third countries based by training young investigators and the exchange of knowledge and technological insides. Existing deficits in the access to technologies, resources but also skills and know-how will be supported to become overcome. The envisaged “European Networking Summer School” will organize a yearly summer course pursuing the training aspect, the exchange of ideas and the creation of an active and living network between European scientists, research organizations and research programs. The networking and training activity course combines the latest theoretic knowledge with practical lessons. During the courses target groups of approx. 15- 20 young and interested researchers from all over Europe will brought together. An annual published brochure (ca. 250 pages course book) on the latest developments, given lectures and practical exercises will maximize the knowledge transfer to a wider group of interested scientists. The support of the European Science Foundation for these activities would not only be necessary for its success but would also strengthen the political mark that the networking and training activity will set on a European integration and cooperation.
Expected benefit from European collaboration in this area
The "European Networking Summer School” in Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics with an annual summer course will:
o serve as a turntable for an effective sharing and dissemination of new and innovative research ideas, strategies, focal points
o promote common learning experiences and scattering latest breakthrough technologies and make common use of them
o creating a platform to discuss research experiences in a very open atmosphere
o promote communication between scientists of European countries and allow a network development between scientists and students from several European countries
o providing the knowledge in a concentrated form in a planned compendium book for all scientists and students interested as a up to date teaching tool
o implementing technologies as a general standard all over Europe
o promote plant genomics research and bioinformatics for the benefit of the EU citizens and other European countries
o identify goals and prioritise approaches across the European network
o promote joined and integrated approaches from basic research and new product developments
Duration
Five years, from September 2007 to September 2012.