Integration and Reshaping of the Infrastructure Basis Work Package 3 Wouter Los & WP3 collaborators

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting Scheme of WP relations Expert basis Infrastructure basis Coordinating research Internet platform for cybertaxonomy Web-based taxonomy Application in conservation Training and public awareness Tools & Products Resources Coordination and integration Managing EDIT

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting Scheme of WP relations Expert basis Infrastructure basis Coordinating research Internet platform for cybertaxonomy Web-based taxonomy Application in conservation Training and public awareness Tools & Products Resources Coordination and integration Managing EDIT WP3

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting Considerations The Commission wants us to address fragmentation: What is an unified vision for the infrastructural basis at the European level? Can we adapt to collaborate in undertaking large-scale challenges as a European taxonomic infrastructure? How to bring together the separate components in a next generation infrastructure? This would imply different work processes, and reduction of the number of links in the decision-making chain.

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting WP3 components 3.1 Physical infrastructures 3.2 Information infrastructure 3.3 Sustaining the cybertaxonomy process 3.4 Large-scale instrumental facilities 3.5 Liaison with international infrastructures

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting WP3 in the first 18 months 3.1 Physical infrastructures a. Integration b. Concept of Biological Resource Centres 3.2 Information infrastructure a. Information backbone b. European Taxonomic Information Services c. Bioinformatics Toolbox 3.3 (Sustaining the cybertaxonomy process) 3.4 Large-scale instrumental facilities a. DNA barcoding in Europe 3.5 Liaison with international infrastructures

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting 3.1 Physical infrastructures Integration. Identify impediments for collaborative united action. Discuss mechanisms for change (started with OECD-GSF initiative) Consortium development (alternative models for national, regional and European consortia; implications of “virtual organisations” model). Biological Resources Centres. Consider BRC concept for our natural history collections. Appropriate performance indicators?. How to enter into negotiations with funding bodies?

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting 3.2a Information backbone Architecture of an information backbone of taxonomic information (names), specimen data, and molecular markers (DNA). -> Landscape of the alternative views. Identification of the components, and definition of functionalities for a new generation infrastructure. (contribution to the LIFE WATCH plan development). Preparation (also with other partners) of funding plans (for example: liaison with ZooBank initiative).

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting 3.2b European Taxonomic Information Services Common management approach for the continuation, maintenance and integration of the Pan-European species checklists. –(Together with WP2) securing the expert basis of the checklist services (as partly organised in SMEBD). –Organisation (and keeping alive) the relevant institutional networks. (Such as Fauna Europaea Focal Points Network). Promotion of checklist updates and validation. Preparation of plans (and funding proposals) to expand the checklist services (in data and in geographical scope).

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting 3.2c Bioinformatics toolbox Design of a user-friendly bioinformatics toolbox for interpolating and processing phylogenetic trees, matrices, DNA barcodes, and other relevant biodiversity data to facilitate research and conservation outcomes. Analyse components for the www prototype (and already available tools). Use selected taxonomic groups (also used in other EDIT parts) to demonstrate in case studies.

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting 3.4a DNA barcoding Coordination of DNA-barcoding in Europe for all organism groups (also in support of CBOL). Coordination. –Strategy to set up a DNA barcoding consortium in Europe (ECBOL) –Coordination and quality issues (genes to use, networks, standards and reporting, results and problems, international cooperation). –Website for ECBOL with introductory info, coordination info, technicical info, membership list + who is doing what, reprints, links. Models for DNA banks and testing of new storage system. Starting plans for macro/micro arrays and bio-sensors.

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting Major partners Phys. infrastruct. Information infrastruct. Cyber- taxonomy DNA- barcoding ParisXX CopenhagenX AmsterdamXXX LeidenX CBS UtrechtX BGBM BerlinXX Kew GardensX CU BratislavaX SMEBDX INRAX

28/06/06 Kickoff Meeting Scheme of WP relations Expert basis Infrastructure basis Coordinating research Internet platform for cybertaxonomy Web-based taxonomy Application in conservation Training and public awareness Products Resources Coordination and integration Managing EDIT Bringing integration into reality (BoD) Tools / Testing Raise a new generation

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