ELIXIR 10-year jubilee

New scientific programme starting in 2024

In early 2014, ELIXIR launched its first five-year scientific programme. Ten years later, ELIXIR’s Scientific Programme for 2024–2028 has now begun. 

With this scientific programme, the third so far, ELIXIR moves closer to societal challenges. Biodiversity, food security and pathogens have been added to the list of thematic priorities. Molecular sciences can offer powerful solutions to address all three of these challenges. Access to and sharing of relevant data is therefore essential for successful research. The fact that these new thematic priorities have been added to ELIXIR's activities may therefore be seen as good news for all researchers working in these areas. 

The new programme will reinforce existing thematic areas such as human genomics. Efforts to integrate ELIXIR nodes will also be continued. In addition, Open Science principles will be encouraged to enable everyone to gain access to research findings, thus ensuring that society derives greater benefits from these findings. ELIXIR will assist its members in implementing Open Science principles and will also help them to work with industry.

What is your motivation in becoming Director of ELIXIR?

Having been involved in the planning processes for European-wide projects and developments such as ‘Beyond one million genomes’ (B1MG), I think the role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to their implementation. In addition, as a member of the original 2005 Expert Group that drew up the initial proposals for biological infrastructures, I’ve always been committed to the ELIXIR mission.

What are the big challenges ahead of ELIXIR in the coming years? 

It is clear that artificial intelligence (AI) will have a major impact on both basic biological research and translational research in fields such as healthcare. One big challenge for ELIXIR is to ensure coordination and standards across the network of ELIXIR Nodes to fully leverage the opportunities and benefits of AI.

What are your goals for ELIXIR?

ELIXIR has just published its Scientific Programme for 2024-2028 and one priority area is human data and translational research. Here I see opportunities for ELIXIR to encourage better interoperability with healthcare data across Europe. 

Given privacy concerns, this will require developing infrastructure that supports new ways of working securely with nationally held datasets. I see the coordination across Europe and in individual countries as critical. In Switzerland, for example, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) is a leader in the field. I want to connect these national efforts into European-wide activities.