New and Emerging Science and Technology

1. New and Emerging Science and Technology NEST Shamila Nair Bedouelle NEST Unit DG RTD B-1 Warsaw, 29th November 2005

2. Revisions of the NEST WP and last NEST Call for Proposals Practical information on this NEST PATHFINDER Call Some brief info on the outcome of the last Call for Proposals on NEST PATHFINDER Topics 2004/2005 Pathfinder Topics 2005/2006 Cultural Dynamics Measuring the Impossible What it means to be human (CAs and SSAs only) Synthetic Biology Tackling Complexity in Science Outline of presentation

3. NEST PATHFINDER Call: published on 27 October 2005, closing on 15 February 2006 This is the last Call for NEST; no further call for NEST ADVENTURE, INSIGHT, or SUPPORT Call budget: €50M Pre-proposal check open up to three weeks before deadline Revision of theNEST WP 2005-06

4. “support research on specific topics that are identified during the course of implementation of FP6 on the basis of their urgency and potential for future societal, industrial or economic relevance.” PATHFINDER: Mandate

5. Ideas must come “bottom-up” from the science base Open forum for ideas may be useful (ADVENTURE + INSIGHT proposals, NEST “ideas in-box”) A “Structured dialogue” with the research community is required to make choices: Search strategy within the science and technology “space” Interaction with the research community structured over time to move from global assessment to specific choices PATHFINDER topics Identification/Selection

6. Definition of search strategy: Areas of research where cross-disciplinary transfers of technique are creating new opportunities Outside the frame of thematic priorities Identification of candidate areas, on basis of research literature, foresight and other strategic analysis, plus open invitations for ideas Iterative process of testing and refining choices: Targeted workshops with external experts to explore candidate areas Internal consultation with thematic priorities High level consultation with EURAB, programme committee PATHFINDER topics “Structured dialogue”

7. Build and consolidate European capabilities in promising emerging (interdisciplinary) areas with high future potential for Europe in the long term. Provide “early stage funding”: as ideas mature they should be translated into more conventional funding modes Up to 10 Mio. EUR or more per topic (for several STREPS + one or more CAs) Annual calls for proposals; several topics per call PATHFINDER: Implementation

8. Initial “blue sky” topic analysis (8 March 2005) How Things Evolve: Evolution Outside of Biology Laboratory of the Future; Speeding up the Discovery Process Transmission of Culture New Techniques for Molecular Imaging Time in Biological Processes and Systems More detailed “opportunity analysis” (3 May 2005) Transmission of Culture Work programme text preparation meeting (8 July 2005) Cultural Dynamics: from transmission and change to innovation More details, summaries of meetings, list of participants, on NEST web site. Main Workshops this year

9. Each PATHFINDER initiative/topic will be composed ofseveral STREP projects submitted individually (not as clusters) Proposals have to be submitted as FULL proposals (one stage evaluation process not two stages as in NEST-OPEN) Proposers need to choose clearly one PATHFINDER initiative/topic they are addressing Proposals will be evaluated and selected on their individual merits Projects funded within a PATHFINDER initiative will be expected to develop a degree of interaction, exchange and cooperation Project size expected to be in the 1.5-2.0 Mio. EUR range; 4 - 6 partners STREP projects

10. Expect to fund one (exceptionally more) co-ordination action for each PATHFINDER initiative/topic Co-ordination actions will be evaluated and selected at the same time as the STREP proposals Role of co-ordination depends on topic An added task will be to provide a means and venue of interaction for the chosen projects Funding expected to be in the 1 to 1.5 MEuro range; 15 – 25 partners Coordination Actions

11. Possibility of Support Actions open for each topic Support actions will be evaluated and selected at the same time as the STREP proposals Role of support depends on topic; do not expect to fund “general” support actions on “general” topics An added task will be to provide a means and venue of interaction for the chosen projects Funding expected to be ~200.000 range Support Actions

12. Tackling Complexity in Science Synthetic Biology Measuring the Impossible Cultural Dynamics (New topic) What it means to be human (only CAs and SSAs) PATHFINDER: Topics Last Call

13. PATHFINDER Practical Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions

14. Reference documents available on NEST Web Site for each topic Generated following iterative consultations with experts Provide further practical guidance to proposers in terms of the scope, objectives, partnerships, etc Proposers are strongly encouraged to consult and read over the documents prior to preparing proposals Pathfinder Reference documents

15. Pre-proposal check service available up to 3 weeks prior to the deadline (that is: 25 January 2006) Pre-proposal Forms: Guide for Proposers Requested: project summary + partnership Before submitting, ideas and partnership should be pretty clear and stable NEST will give guidance regarding suitability of scope and eligibility, based on information submitted Responses from the EC are simply for guidance and do not commit the Commission either way Final decision on proposals made by external expert evaluators Not a discussion forum! Pre-proposals (PATHFINDER) and OUTLINE Proposals (ADVENTURE, INSIGHT) are something different Pre-proposal check service

16. Evaluation will be performed first by sending proposals to remote referees for detailed technical evaluation Following that, a Panel with wide ranging expertise will be brought together to choose the most outstanding proposals, and that form a complementary set Evaluation expected to take place in April 2006, and initial results available before the end of July Expert referees on these topics always needed / welcome (include NEST activity code) (http://www.cordis.lu/experts/fp6_candidature.htm) Evaluation

17. Overall Information on Pathfinder with parallel sessions on each topic Chance to meet potential partners Jointly organised with NCPs Your NCP should be able to represent you there if cannot attend Registration still possible at: http://www.eurosfaire.prd.fr/nest/ji/index-ji-061205p.html NEST-PATHFINDER Information and Brokerage Event, Brussels, 6 Dec 2005

18. Call budget 35M€ 59 STREP proposals, 17 retained 4 CA proposals, 0 retained 5 SSA proposals, 1 retained Previous Call:FP6-2004-NEST-PATH

19. Synthetic Biology 3 new STREPs funded out of 14 submitted(21% success rate) 1 SSA funded, no CAs What it means to be human 8 new STREPs funded out of 21 submitted(38% success rate) No CAs or SSAs Measuring the Impossible 6 STREPs funded out of 24 submitted(25% success rate) No CAs or SSAs Previous Call:FP6-2004-NEST-PATH

20. www.cordis.lu/nest PATHFINDER initiative on:Tackling complexity in scienceAlejandro MARTIN HOBDEY2005

21. Complexity is a critical challenge towards progress in many areas of Science (e.g. biology, cognitive science) Increasing need to understand behaviour of ever more complicated man made systems (e.g. electrical grid) – Technological Systems Same is true of natural phenomena such as weather, geology, etc – Natural Systems Also true of understanding human networks (social, political, enterprise, etc) – Social Systems Common approach and techniques emerging to dealing with complex problems in science and technology Background / motivation

22. Bring together high level groups in Complex Systems Science and others in specific disciplines to tackle important problems where complexity is a key issue Extend and generalise techniques used in one area to other areas of science (“generalisability”) Help structure and co-ordinate the complexity field in Europe Objectives of initiative

23. Use of tools and techniques of complex systems science such as: Representing complex systems as networks, and networks of networks, etc “Emergence”: key characteristic of complex systems Predictability and extreme events Transfer or extension of successful techniques from one area of science to another Projects should take a practical problem solving approach, grounded in (experimental, real) data Emphasis and approach

24. Biology, Health, Medicine Bio-complexity, Cellular signalling and regulation processes, animal biology (BIOPHOT, STARFLAG, EMBIO, BRACCIA, etc) Social Sciences Emergence and robustness of social institutions, financial markets, etc (COMPLEXMARKETS, COL-PLEXITY, CAVES Environmental Sciences Predictability and distribution of extreme events in natures, such as earthquakes, floods, weather, ecology (E2C2) Particularly interested in projects that help bridge gap between physical sciences, and social and other natural sciences Some possible topics

25. Already have a “General Coordination Action” linking together the already funded PATHFINDER projects in the initiative: “GIACS” Expect that new funded projects will have some link to GIACS in some formal or informal way Expect newly proposed CAs to focus on particular scientific areas or approaches to complexity Possible Co-ordination Actions

26. Focussed Actions of more limited scope One to two years of duration Budget range: up to 250.000 € Sort of activities envisaged: science mapping, foresight, conference or large work-shop, etc It would make sense if there were a link between the SSA and the already supported activities in the NEXT- Complexity initiative Possible Support Actions

27. Research of a purely theoretical nature ICT – IT related research (FET initiative) Purely industrial or engineering nature Financial research not related to social sciences (eg. Stock market analysis) Research of limited interdisciplinary nature Proposals whose primary focus lies in one of the other Pathfinder Initiatives Research in Thematic Priorities Examples of topics not included

28. www.cordis.lu/nest PATHFINDER initiative on Synthetic Biology Christian KRASSNIG 2005

29. 1st Call 2003, 2nd Call 2004 30 proposals received (7 STREPs, 1SSA funded) Refinement of reference document for 3rd Call Expert Group delivered report (to develop a broader strategy for the area) Background

30. Limited number of STREP proposals A lot of proposals not regarded as within the scope of the Call Lack of ambition in terms of the « technology vision » No particular interest in safety issues linked to the topic No Coordination Action(s) Issues not covered (1st and 2nd Call)

31. To understand how cells work you need more than a « list » of parts Systems biology provides knowledge how parts of the cell operate together New tools available such as computer models and bio-informatics, rapid synthesis, better experimental techniques to explore gene interactions Why is this topic emerging?

32. It will drive industry, research, employment, education in a way that might rival the computer industry’s development during the 1970s to the 1990s Progress will be made much faster and in a much more organized way It will enable developments of complex systems not achievable by evolutionary and screening procedures If the « engineering of biology » becomes available it will be used for more and more day-to-day applications Main vision – Biotechnology that works

33. Major change through Synthetic Biology will be achieved by integration of existing disciplines. Biology and engineering, computer modeling, information technology, control theory, chemistry and nanotechnology Synthetic Biology is primarily not concerned with investigating how nature works, but is ultimately about a new way of making things. Main directions

34. Objective/s The DESIGN and ENGINEERING of biologically based (or inspired) PARTS or SYSTEMS with: New standardised functionalities NOT present in NATURE High level of internal complexity Logical or complex dynamical behaviour

35. Demonstration of mastering control over key biological processes. Development and application of robust modules amenable to standardisation. Combination of rigorous engineering methods and high-quality science, involving adequate expertise in core engineering disciplines. Specific Target Research Projects (STREPs) (1)

36. Specific Target Research Projects (STREPs) (2) • Demonstration of real capacity to drive new discoveries and theories • and/or • Proof of concrete applicability to model areas.

37. Co-ordination of existing and future research projects. Networking of European activities in relevant fields Intellectual and material infrastructure requirements of synthetic biology Perspectives and strategies for innovation and industrial translation, including intellectual property Societal acceptance, including ethical, safety and regulatory aspects Co-ordination Action (CA)

38. Tackling practical questions related to the field. To assist in the mapping and development of the definition of the field in question. Assessing future development prospects and trends in the field. Specific Support Actions (SSAs)

39. What research will NOT be pursued ? • Research whose main focus is computational, combinatorial or biomimetic chemistry. • Research on functional genomics and proteomics. • Single-component genetic engineering and classical biotechnology, including classical metabolic engineering. • Research on structural biology and systems biology mainly aimed at the generation of basic knowledge. • Protein engineering or chemistry in its classical sense. • Research on tissue engineering. • Research on artificial organs and bionics implants, and other research on classical biomedical engineering. • Research related to Artificial Life (as the term is used by the ICT community e.g. life-like machines or computers).

40. PATHFINDER initiative on Measuring the Impossible Carlos SARAIVA MARTINS 2005

41. Objectives Interdisciplinary research Novel investigative methods Significant advance in the scientific basis for rigorous measurements of phenomena Intrinsically multidisciplinary and mediated by human interpretation and/or perception

42. Why this initiative ? …becomes a general concern for science, business and public authorities … Science- strong cross-over between physical, biological and social sciences Business- products and services appeal to consumers according to parameters of quality, beauty, comfort which are mediated by human perception Public authorities- provide citizens with support and services whose performance is measured according to parameters of life quality, security or well being

43. Measuring the impossible “Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what isn’t” Descartes (1596-1650)

44. Measuring the impossible “ If you can not measure it and/or what it means” then => how can you improve it ? ”

45. Measuring the impossible It is simply impossible to find out what a test measures, without knowing how it works Tables of correlations are unable to fill this gap, because what is lacking is not data, but theory A radical shift in orientation is needed in our thinking about measurements and validity

46. Measuring the impossible Food industry – chemical and physical analysis combined with empirical psychometric studies moved to …a more systemic understanding of the ways in which the physical world is mediated via the senses and the internal processing of signs in the human brain

47. Measuring the impossible But, is it possible to measure the role of memory in the appreciation of food? ….Or the food-addictive behaviour? Predicting food selection How to make “healthy choice the easy choice” ?

48. Fundamental scientific advances supported by interdisciplinary research and novel investigative methods for the measurement of intrinsically multidimensional phenomena, and which are mediated by human interpretation and/or perception. Specific Target Research Projects (STREPs)

49. Focus on measurement Multidimensional phenomena Mediated by human interpretation and/or perception Interdisciplinary research Novel investigative methods Concrete and tangible objectives Well posed problems and measurement challenges Long-term impact in terms of advancing science Measuring the impossible STREP Characteristics

50. to act as a forum for the development and exchange of ideas of active players to promote a wider understanding of the implications of research across the various relevant disciplines, as regards measurement to bring together experts in metrology, material scientists, biologists, psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, sociologists, ergonomic experts to take up work in this “field” to provide a degree of coordination and interaction between the research projects ultimately selected in this initiative Measuring the impossible Co-ordination Action