Creation of a "Biotechnology for Biodiversity Platform"
A "Biotechnology for Biodiversity Platform" is being formed to provide a forum for communication and technology transfer between end-users and a European Union-funded biotechnology project which is developing molecular tools for screening biodiversity. The platform will provide a forum for a free flowing dialogue between molecular biologists and end-users, with the aim of: - Increasing awareness and understanding amongst end-users of the molecular techniques available and their potential applications; - Increasing awareness amongst technology producers of the requirements of end-users; - Provide end-users with swift access to the latest technological developments and their applications. The platform will also: - Set up mechanisms for training and technology transfer; - Provide after care for trained end-users when establishing new techniques in-house; - Promote wider dissemination, education and public awareness of the role of biotechnology in biodiversity conservation. End-users are likely to include industry, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, genetic resources, botanical gardens, zoos, advisory agencies, conservation bodies, museums and herbaria, population ecology, systematics, universities, educational institutions and organizations.