DESIGN STUDY FOR A EUROPEAN INFRASTRUCTURE ON ADVANCED GENOMICS TECHNOLOGIES

Innovation in the genomics field is extremely intense and requires high up-front investments.

The toolbox of sequencing platforms with unique features that require specialized training and leverage extensive cross-functional expertise, is rapidly expanding.

The EASIGEN-DS project evolves from two EU infrastructure projects that have proven to be very successful in providing access to cutting-edge DNA sequencing technologies to hundreds of researchers.

Here, we propose to carry out a design study for establishing a new European Research Infrastructure on Advanced Genomics Technologies, EASIGEN.

In order to develop an excellent scientific, technological and operational design, we will conduct landscape studies, stakeholder consultations, and community surveying.

In parallel, we will seek for the support and commitment of several national and EU stakeholders and user communities through a multi‐faceted dissemination plan.

We envision that EASIGEN will encompass: 1) a Technology Platform that will offer state-of-the-art genomic analysis methods, such as single-cell genomics, spatial genomics and long-read sequencing, as well as population-scale genomics capacity; and 2) a Support Platform that will provide standardization tools, training, co-innovation with industry, and consulting for smaller facilities, including those in widening countries.

Both platforms will serve a vast community of users from the health, biomedical and life science fields.

The consortium brings together 1) a network of eleven genomics facilities with distinct application specialities. and an aggregated sequencing capacity of >450,000 human genomes per year; 2) four partners with specific and crucial expertise: data stewardship, ethical, legal and social implications, socio-economic impact and innovation.

The new infrastructure will strengthen the European Research Area, promote interconnections within the ESFRI landscape, and boost an innovative biotechnology-based industry.