Dynamic and efficient infrastructure for EU genomic research
The EU-funded ESGI (European sequencing and genotyping infrastructure) project has provided high-level facilities to achieve large scale DNA analyses. State-of-the-art facilities are now available for a broad range of genetics and systems biology applications. To achieve this, ESGI has defragmented the European genomic research capability. Now available are massive parallel sequencing technologies to give information on the genetic make-up and evolution of European populations, gene expression modulation and disease susceptibility. Ultimately, the impact of this data on the clinical phenotype will be available for both patient and physician. Access to the newly available genetic sequencing facilities resulted in 29 transnational projects that led to a number of high-impact studies. Future research results promise to provide the basis for medical intervention and development of powerful diagnostic markers. The new infrastructure for genomic sequencing is high-throughput and economic. The complete human genome can be sequenced in a few hours at a cost of less than EUR 1 000. For the future, ESGI has also provided the support framework for training appropriately qualified scientists in genomic research on a Europe-wide basis. A key component of the ESGI initiative concerns the future provision for development of newly emerging genomic methods. The resulting explosion in data will be handled by facilities such as the European infrastructure for life science information, ELIXIR that worked in close collaboration with ESGI during the project term.
Keywords
Infrastructure, genomic research, sequencing technologies, training, data
