Standardisation in Life Sciences - with CHARME towards a unified standardisation European strategy

Motivation Standardisation and quality management are important drivers in the life sciences and biotechnology, as only data generated with minimum quality assurance can be easily implemented into industrial applications. Standards assure and ensure that data become easily accessible, shareable and comparable along the value chain. Reproducibility, standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in data generation and analysis are challenging topics of the modern research and bioinformatics. Only by the use of common standards European life science research will improve its efficiency and competitiveness. In the past years several initiatives have been launched to develop and implement standards in life science research. Unfortunately, these efforts remain fragmented and largely disconnected. The Cost Action CHARME (CA15110) is designed as a central interface between existing standardisation initiatives, and as an intermediary between existing parallel efforts. The goals of CHARME are: 1) to develop a framework for standardisation of standards and formats in life sciences; 2) community building/networking of scientific standardisation initiatives; 3) development of a common understanding/definition of the subject matter; 4) to create a common platform for all stakeholders, for sustainable and efficient cooperation on standardisation and standardisation; 5) mediation between the scientific standardisation initiatives and the competent standardisation bodies and standards committees' activities (including input from stakeholders, e.g. standardisation bodies, policy makers, regulators, users); 6) the analysis and classification of existing (or developing) community standards in the field of systems biology and computational modelling (and beyond); 7) to support the positioning of Europe as a "leading partner" in international standardisation and standardisation activities in the life sciences (including input for future market applications and cooperation with private enterprises). Methods CHARME's pan-European network unites experts from all areas of scientific research and strategic development (academia, industry, policy, legal, ethical, etc.), joining their expertise to address needs and challenges along the value chain for life sciences across Europe. To achieve the Action's 4-year vision, an integrated project strategy has been designed to ensure de-centralised decision-making and enhanced cooperation between the different stakeholders and partners. The leverage of the COST Action CHARME relates to four pillars: 1) the creation of a network of all relevant stakeholder groups involved in standardisation, to exchange and harmonise activities; 2) the development of a cross-cutting education and training strategy to raise awareness and facilitate the implementation of standards and SOPs; 3) strengthening of innovation creation and technology transfer; 4) strategy development to urge the implementation of standards and SOPs. This will be achieved via workshops, short-term scientific missions, training schools and symposia, and deployment of standards optimising the transfer from basic research into innovation. Results On March 21st, representatives from 26 countries met in Brussels to execute the kick-off meeting. The participants exchanged information about the need for understanding formats and standards for biological data and computer models in systems biology research, and elected Chair, Vice Chair and working group leaders. During this meeting the action plan for the 1st Grant Period (01/05/2016 - 30/04/2017) was agreed among members and the Science and Administrative Officers of the Action. This plan include different events and Short Term Scientific Missions (STMS). The CHARME kick off conference will be held on June 21-2