Transcript COBRA summary presentation

COBRA
Coordination of Bio/Chem-IT Research Activities
http://www.cobra-project.eu
Concept
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The capabilities of biological and chemical-based systems are
being harnessed for the purposes of radically new forms of
computation and nano- and micro scale production
Natural systems are inherently self-organizing, self-repairing,
resilient, distributed and adaptive
Importantly, they may also be interfaced with traditional, siliconbased substrates to offer the possibility of truly hybrid systems
Bio/chem IT encompasses emerging research areas such as
systems- and synthetic biology, artificial cells, chemical
information processing, micro-electro-mechanical systems
(MEMS), nanotechnology and artificial intelligence
Opportunities
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Bio/chem IT
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Is one of the most vibrant and important emerging research
domains in recent years
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Is an enabling technology with wide ranging applications areas for
current ICT and beyond
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Has the long term potential for creating more life-like and
intelligent computational, information processing and production
processes, with impact on most sectors of our society
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Engineered intelligent diagnostics and drug delivery systems,
artificial tissues, nanotechnology for energy and environmental
applications, adaptive bioelectronics and molecular synthesis
COBRA
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COBRA will act as a unifying focus for bio/chem IT,
across a range of different research topics
The long-term goal of the COBRA project is to place
Europe at the cutting edge of international
competitiveness in this increasingly significant area
By promoting research, development and take-up of
bio/chem IT, COBRA will consolidate and catalyze a
further development of Europe's existing research
capabilities in the field
COBRA Goals
To formulate, develop and maintain a coherent European
vision and strategy for bio/chem IT
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To identify areas of critical importance in bio/chem IT, and to
help focus research in these areas
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To facilitate improvement in the quality, profile and
applicability of European research in bio/chem IT
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To provide a high-profile, high-quality framework for the
discussion and resolution of current issues in bio/chem IT
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To facilitate industrial involvement with bio/chem IT
To encourage and support the involvement of students and
early-career researchers, and to promote high-quality
teaching of topics in bio/chem IT
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Achieving our Goals
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Establish and maintain a living roadmap document
Provide support for innovative, high-quality meetings and
exchanges
Establish high-quality channels of communication (dedicated
website with collective intelligence, online networking, email
lists and newsletter)
Establish and maintain a database of bio/chem IT expertise and
skills
Encourage industrial engagement with bio/chem IT through
targetted link-ups and invitations
Encourage the involvement of students with bio/chem IT,
through the provision of curricula and materials
Structure
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Brings together four existing projects:
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BACTOCOM: Engineered bacterial populations
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ECCell: Electronically programmable chemical cell
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MATCH-IT: Programmable information chemistry
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NEUNEU: Artificial wet neuronal networks
Linkage of bio-chemical, protocellular, cellular
and cognitive computing with work on artificial
chemical cells
Work Packages
1. Stakeholder Consultation
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Harvesting and organizing group perspectives,
using collective intelligence methods (alongside
"traditional" methods)
2. Strategy and Vision
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Development of draft roadmap
3. Community Building
4. Dissemination and Outreach
5. Management
Timing
Martyn Amos (coordinator), Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
John McCaskill, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
Steen Rasmussen, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
Peter Dittrich, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
Irene Poli, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia, ECLT, Italy
Specific Strengths
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Scientific Roadmap
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Dissemination and Outreach
Roadmap
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Describes metrics and milestones towards
success:
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Scientific and technological milestones
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Outreach/knowledge transfer
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Funding
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Standards/regulation
From this, we derive a set of broad and specific
challenges and critical factors, highlight areas
not covered by the document, and offer a set of
recommendations for future action
Process
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Two phases; audit and development
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Audit
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Creation of Online Expertise Database (OED) and
collective intelligence web environment
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Vision Discovery
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Community Audit
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Consultation Document
Collective Intelligence: Roadmap
Stage 1
Process - Development
Roadmap Design
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Overall structure of the Roadmap document planned and agreed (for example, whether to structure as "technology
push", "requirements pull", or a combination
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Criteria for roadmap components established, as well as the criteria for "success" and "critical"
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From this scheme, several working groups will be identified, and appropriate experts recruited.
Roadmap Drafting
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Each working group will be responsible for one or more nodes of the roadmap, as per standard roadmapping
processes
Stakeholders will be engaged, and commitments gained (in terms of agreement to contribute)
Working groups then draft, in an iterative process, their section of the Roadmap (at most, two passes), whilst
maintaining strong communication with other groups. A "final pass" collation phase will ensure internal
consistency and overall quality.
Vision Development
Assessment and Delivery
Dissemination & Outreach
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Project website
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Dissemination and Outreach strategy
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A published edited collection, comprised of chapters describing different research activities undertaken
during the lifetime of the project.
External liaison
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Definition of strategy and procedures for dissemination of project outputs, external liaison protocols,
document standards and formats, formation of Communications Group.
Edited collection
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Construction of project website, including both external-facing and internal sections, and OED linkage.
Management of Communications Group, to act as first point of contact with external agencies and
individuals. Writing of press releases, appearances on broadcast media, and handling of media
enquiries.
Project promotion
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Creation of information and media packs. Active promotion of project, via participation in information and
dissemination events, such as conferences or networking meetings, writing of articles for popular
magazines/newspapers, contributions to online discussions and blogs.
COBRA
Coordination of Bio/Chem-IT Research Activities
http://www.cobra-project.eu
[email protected]