International activity - EU/US EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research

Website: ec.europa.eu/research/biotechnology/ec-us/index_en.html




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EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research

Since 1990, the EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research has been coordinating transatlantic efforts to guide and exploit the ongoing revolution in biotechnology and the life sciences. The Task Force was established in June 1990 by the European Commission and the White House Office of Science and Technology. This mandate has been renewed three times.

The Task Force has acted as an effective forum for discussion, for coordination and for developing new ideas for the last 15 years.

Task Force members are European Commission and US Government science and technology administrators who meet annually to enhance communication across the Atlantic, and to encourage collaborative research. Through sponsoring workshops, and other activities, the Task Force also brings together scientific leaders and early career researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to forecast research challenges and opportunities and to promote better links between researchers. Over the years, by keeping a focus on the future of science, the Task Force has played a key role in establishing a diverse range of emerging scientific fields, including biodiversity research, neuroinformatics, genomics, nanobiotechnology, neonatal immunology, and transkingdom molecular biology.

This activity includes that of a Bio-based products working group

This group has been formed in recognition of the fact that plants have the potential to become an expanded resource for sustainable industries, provide new industrial products from renewable resources, reduce dependence on petrochemicals, and create exciting new markets for farmers. However, there is a need for improved fundamental tools/knowledge.

The joint working group was established in 2004 to facilitate and coordinate collaborative (EU-US) research in molecular biology to create or improve biobased products and biofuels. The committee is working on establishing an integrated programme of US-EC collaboration combining research, training and dissemination through the following actions:

• Identifying research needs and select priority research areas
• Identifying and facilitating the development of flagship projects of mutual interest and benefit
• Identifying and promoting interdisciplinary, multinational teams to conduct research and transfer technologies
• Facilitating joint activities of mutual interest, including scientific exchanges, training, and other opportunities for students, postdoctoral and early career scientists
• Organising symposia, position papers and information delivery targeting scientific communities, stakeholders and the public
• Stimulating interest in the application of biotechnology for the development or improvement of biobased products and biofuels.

In addition, the working group is developing three initial flagship projects on addressing constraints to biobased products presented by the plant cell wall, and oilseed crops, and biopolymers. These flagships projects address complex technological challenges and are to contribute to solving a major socio-economic problem, demonstrate strong benefits, in particular, for consumers and the environment and should also be in line with other important policy priorities of both the EU and USA.

The flagships build on the respective strengths and complementarities of the European and US scientific and technological knowledge base and industries.