Characteristics

In preparing the Program, the following characteristic features of EMBL research should be specifically considered:

Interdisciplinarity:

In the current EMBL Scientific Program, particular emphasis has been directed towards interdisciplinary themes. EMBL strives to foster joint activities amongst its five sites through cross-disciplinary centres, sponsoring faculty and student-run symposia and interdisciplinary postdoctoral programs. Similarly, the EMBL Australia Scientific Program should seek to integrate Australian research strengths through interdisciplinary approaches.

Interdependence:

Since the Australia Partner Laboratory Network will be made up of nodes there will be a need to develop strong interactions between these nodes for a unified strategy to be developed. Systems approaches should be encouraged that link the entire research sector rather than replicating the current foci within individual institutions.

Complementarity:

EMBL is keen to see EMBL Australia explore research and technological themes that complement their own Scientific Program, as well as include areas of common interest with EMBL activities in Europe. A key issue for EMBL Australia’s partners is to identify the major infrastructural requirements to attract the next generation of young researchers in the chosen themes, including infrastructure that complements that at EMBL.

A final consultation draft of the EMBL Australia Indicative Research Themes, developed through consultations at the Scientific Program workshops, is presented below for inclusion in the EMBL Australia working Business Case that is being prepared separately. The draft will be further discussed and finalised at a single topic meeting of the EMBL Australia Working Group. The initial Program will necessarily take the form of a strategic forward look that will be developed over the next year by the EMBL Australia Council, in consultation with the EMBL Australia Scientific Advisory Committee (EASAC). The resulting indicative Scientific Program will be widely circulated in the Australian scientific community and will be a critical component of requests for support of the Network at the Commonwealth and State levels.