Doctorate School in Integrated Genomics Research

Project Information

INTEGRATE

Grant agreement ID: 945385

DOI

10.3030/945385

EC signature date 10 April 2020

Start date 1 September 2020

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 4 339 200,00

EU contribution

€ 2 169 600,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INTEGRATE (Doctorate School in Integrated Genomics Research)

Reporting period: 2020-09-01 to 2022-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The aim of the INTEGRATE programme is establish a doctorate training programme within the Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science to provide interdisciplinary training in human health science, such as immunology, microbiology, cancer biology together with genomics data science. The programme aims to generate scientists who can integrate the knowledge of these research fields to address complex questions related to human diseases.
The programme offers 20 prestigious four-year PhD scholarships. The recruited early-stage researchers (ESRs) start their training at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) with a three-month Residential Training Programme (RTP) during which they receive training from local, as well as international experts in specialised scientific skills as well as generic, researcher skills . The training is cohort-based, which includes team-based and peer learning in order to establish a strong bond between the students of each cohort, enabling them to form a peer-support group and take a collective approach to the challenges of human health-related genomics research. During the RTP, students select their individual research projects, which they work on for the duration of their training. These projects are hosted at one of the six academic partner institutions of INTEGRATE. All projects include secondments to suitable research performing organisation located anywhere in the world. The INTEGRATE students have the freedom to choose their research topic, their supervisor, and their secondment organisation, as relevant to their research interests and career development.
The INTEGRATE programme aims to enhance the creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative potential of the ESRs through advanced training, international, and inter-sectoral mobility, which fits into the Irish National Research Priority Areas, and Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3), namely Data analytics, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Connected Health & Independent Living.

The beneficiary, NUIG (Genomics CRT headquarters) contributes financially to the INTEGRATE programme, as well as contributing directly to the implementation of the INTEGRATE programme by recruiting, supervising, hosting, and training of ESRs. The academic partners of the Genomics CRT (Dublin City University, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and University College Dublin) contribute directly to the implementation of the INTEGRATE programme by supervising, hosting, and training ESRs.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The overall aim of the INTEGRATE programme is to train 20 scientists in the field of integrative genomics and equip these researchers with the skills required for the understanding and analysis of complex processes via integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and methodology.
To achieve this aim we have:

- Implemented a transparent and impartial recruitment process, open internationally, that is fully aligned with the principles of the European Charter and Code for Researchers.
- Developed high quality, interdisciplinary and tailor-made training to equip our students with the skills and experience required to meet their individual career goals.
- Established a cohort-based training programme where collaborative work and collective problem solving is fostered. The cohort will also form the long-term collaborative network for the ESRs.
- Made available a high quality of career guidance with individual career plan development, mentoring for both students and supervisors.
- Ensured that the choice of research projects is student-led by inviting appropriate research proposals from the 130+ supervisors associated with the Programme.
- Provided and continuously providing a supportive working environment with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and a large team of multi-disciplinary experts.
- Developed transferable skills training through appropriate inter-sectoral secondments and by incorporating options for collaborative research with industry and joint-supervision of research projects with industry and NGO Partner Organisations.

The doctorate training programme has been established. All 20 ESRs have been recruited (from over 300 applications) and they all started their training. The programme received and evaluated over 160 research project proposals and offered these projects to the ESRs. Eighteen ESRs have completed their residential training programme chose and have started their research project. The final 2 ESRs are currently completing their residential training.
Further training of the ESRs is ongoing for which the infrastructure is fully built and able to support all ESRs to achieve their career objectives, which may range from academic research, clinical or industry-based research to education, etc. The infrastructure enables the ESRs to develop their personal career development plans and best achieve its objectives via specialised courses, placements and the collaborative network they have access from their peers and the broad network of partners of the INTEGRATE programme and the Genomics CRT representing several sectors of genomics.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Upon completion, the research projects of the ESRs will make significant contribution to the field of integrative genomics and thus to our understanding of complex human genomics.
The research being carried out will increase scientific knowledge and understanding of complex physiological and pathophysiological processes. The expected findings will result in:
- Better understanding human physiology by understanding how genes evolved over evolution and how the microbiome contributes to (patho)physiology.
- Better diagnosis and/or more precise disease prognosis and broader use of genetic biomarkers in healthcare.
- Novel drug targets to treat complex diseases through targeting key disease drivers or specific vulnerabilities, by identifying the best treatment for individuals and increasing drug efficacy by understanding what processes limit drug sensitivity and by reducing side effects.

In addition to the scientific achievements, the INTEGRATE training programme will also maximise the future career perspectives of the INTEGRATE ESRs. Amongst these are: the cohort nature of this PhD training programme, coherent programme of coursework, the research environment and actions to facilitate the ESRs to take responsibility for their own training objectives and through the development and maintenance of Personal Career Development Plans (PDCPs).
The following specific features which have been put in place will be impactful:
A. Structured and comprehensive training impacting on scientific and research skills.
B. Establishing a network of contacts and colleagues for future collaborations and networking.
C. Training for skills to address complex scientific questions.
D. Industry Involvement.
E. Transversal skills and leadership development..

Overall, the INEGRATE programme contributes to achieving the expected impact of COFUND: It improves the working and employment conditions for researchers in Europe and aligns with practices and policies in the context of the EU HRS4R and implementation of the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training.

Genomics data analysis for human health