Current projects
ABS Science HuB: The Access and Benefit-Sharing Science HuB
The Access and Benefit-Sharing Science HuB ABS Science HuB helps researchers understand their obligations arising from Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) instruments, such as the Nagoya Protocol by facilitating key information in simple and friendly terms. It provides compliance support through interactive information sessions and its help desk, and promotes practical solutions to commonly faced ABS-related challenges for the benefit of researchers across the world. The project also encourages and supports scientists to participate in outreach activities and engage international policy developments surrounding access and benefit-sharing across multiple UN fora (CBD, ITPGRFA, BBNJ and WHO). It helps give a voice to academic and non-commercial users of genetic resources and digital sequence information at relevant UN negotiations that have global impact.
The ABS Science HuB builds on the achievements of the German Nagoya Protocol HuB project. The project will keep and further develop the existing resources including the HuB website, informational material (infographics, videos, etc.), and the HuB network.
The major goals of the ABS Science HuB are:
- Advice for researchers and research institutions in Germany on fulfilling their ABS obligations and continuous provision of information on developments concerning the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, both nationally and internationally.
- Networking of all stakeholders through regular contacts with researchers and involved authorities at national and international level in order to strive for a better design and enforceability of ABS rules in the long term and to facilitate compliance with obligations for researchers or to promote international research.
- To collect and evaluate experiences and data from academic research in order to feed them into policy processes for the assessment of research frameworks and thus to provide scientific support for future international policy negotiations.
This project is funded by members of the Allianz der Wissenschaftsorganisationen (German Alliance of Science Organisations). The project sponsoring members of the Alliance are the German Research Foundation (DFG), the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF), the Leibniz Association, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Max Planck Society.
In its first phase, the German Nagoya Protocol HuB project was funded by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz) under grant agreement No 351981050A.
DSI Scientific Network
The DSI Scientific Network was created in 2020 to help give the research community a voice in ongoing international policy discussions on digital sequence information (DSI). The Network’s mission is to contribute to policymakers’ and other stakeholders’ understanding of DSI, its applications and its contributions to research, biodiversity conservation and public health. A central part of this mission is helping explain the global benefits of open access to DSI through public online databases.
The Network brings together experts in their individual capacity, from more than 20 countries and from diverse economic backgrounds and DSI research contexts. The members aim to use their broad collective expertise to help inform policy in a way that will ensure that new DSI access and benefit-sharing governance frameworks do not compromise scientific research and disadvantage scientists worldwide, in particular those with less financial resources.
Major objectives:
- facilitate the exchange of information between the scientific community and policymakers, monitoring and analyzing international decisions and processes on ABS to keep the academic community informed about the latest developments in Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) policy
- collect, assess, and synthesize data and insights from academic research to support ABS policy development, ensuring that relevant scientific findings and targeted technical assessments are effectively integrated into policy discussions
- facilitate the participation of scientists and researchers from across the world in international policy for a relevant to ABS
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Funding Organisations:
BMBF, Horizon Europe, The Norwegian Agency of International Development (NORAD), The Alliance Bioversity & CIAT, The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI), NIH Pathogen Data Network
Funding reference numbers: 031B0862, 871029, 16LW0062K
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Supporting projects:
The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) – DSI
The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI), hosted by American Heart Association (AHA) and CGIAR, is a global effort to provide data-driven solutions to transform food systems for improved human and planetary health. It envisions a world where each stakeholder involved in food and health systems is empowered to lead data-driven solutions for enhanced human and planetary wellbeing.
DSI is key to the PTFI’s goals of cataloguing the biomolecular composition of the world’s food supply. While the current placeholder term "digital sequence information" perhaps implies nucleotide sequence data (i.e., DNA or RNA), the possible definitions for DSI include several options ranging from nucleotide and protein sequence data to epigenetic, metabolomic and other biomolecular data types. Therefore, the metabolomic datasets themselves that are used and produced by PTFI will be in scope of the new benefit-sharing mechanism. And, in addition, the ability to interpret metabolomic data necessitates the use of genetic data. The DSI Scientific Network thus supports the PTFI in the topic of DSI.
The major goals of the PTFI-DSI participation are:
- building capacity of researchers and data managers to engage in the policy discussions related to benefit sharing from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
- developing analysis and materials to convey messages in a simple and clear way to policymakers to help demonstrate the importance of an open access system to support research and innovation for a sustainable future.
Funding organisation: Rockefeller Foundation
Funding reference number(s): 202023
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DSI Comprehensive Engagement – Meridian Institute
The purpose of the project is to conduct desk research, focusing on AI applications in the life sciences and in particular on Digital Sequence Information (DS) that could impact futureproofing and large-scale resource mobilization within the DSI multilateral benefit-sharing system being developed at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The research will involve interviews with experts and result in a summary report and presentation. The results will be presented in informal dialogues and webinars ahead of CBD COP16. A concept note and tentative list of participants for a workshop on applications of AI applied to DSI in 2025 will also be developed.
Funding organisation: Norad
Funding reference number: 0671-S-001
ET-NMBS: Examining Trends in Non-Monetary Benefit-Sharing
Negotiations on Access and Benefit Sharing, (the third objective of the CBD), have often focused on monetary benefits. However, the non-monetary benefits generated primarily by academic research, receive less attention. During the negotiations on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the goal of a quantifiable increase in monetary and non-monetary benefits (Goal C and Target 13) emerged. With this commitment, there is a new opportunity to highlight and quantify the significant investment in research and resulting non-monetary benefit sharing (NMBS).
The project will develop and apply new, standardized methods for quantifying three types of NMBS arising from ABS instruments: research and development results, joint scientific publications with authors from the provider country, and publications relevant to conservation, sustainable use, food security, and public health. The new methodology will harness open scientific results, text mine them for citation of an ABS permit, and perform additional bibliographic analysis to quantify the different types of NMBS. Project results will be brought into the CBD process and the Global Biodviversity Framework Monitoring Framework, to help demonstrate the extent and impact of NMBS. Research is focused on the standardization, quantification, and reporting of NMBS at a global scale, structured in five work packages.
The ET-NMBS project is financed through the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) with funds from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) from 2022-2025 and will support and engage with the Kunming-Montreal GBF and broader international processes.
The major goals of the ET-NMBS project are:
- develop and apply standardized methods for quantifying non-monetary benefits from academic research arising from ABS instruments, to increase visibility, demonstrate their impact within the CBD process, and support the Global Biodiversity Framework and its monitoring framework
- perform a global assessment of non-monetary benefits where genetic resources have been utilized but the ABS instrument can't be found. Together with the previous objective, the project will approximate the scale of the ABS world and non-monetary benefit-sharing
- assess the impact and value of the non-monetary benefit-sharing on the provider countries of genetic resources
- propose concrete and simplified ABS measures to improve the quantification and monitoring of non-monetary benefit-sharing. These measures will include best practices to improve the way ABS agreements are disclosed in scientific publications and model clauses for provider countries to require disclosure of ABS agreements
Funding organisation: German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN)
Funding reference number(s): 3521800500
FAR-DSI: Feasibility Assessment of Regulation for Digital Sequence Information
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a global agreement dealing with the conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources (GR). A decision on whether benefits from digital sequence information (DSI) must be shared was unresolved until the Global Biodiversity Framework’s decision to establish a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism. While the decision defined principles for DSI benefit-sharing, much work needs to be done to develop and implement the mechanism.
The FAR-DSI project will provide technical and practical information to assess the feasibility of various multilateral benefit-sharing modalities.
The major goals of the FAR-DSI project are:
- assess the impact of the COP15 decision on a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism (MLM) for digital sequence information (DSI) on the research infrastructure
- make technical recommendations to policymakers on opportunities for the MLM that support scientific innovation
- provide data on potential DSI indicators
The FAR-DSI project is led by the German Federation for Biological Data (GFBio e.V.). As a GFBio member, the DSMZ provides technical supervision and guidance for the project.
Funding organisation: German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUV)
Funding reference number(s): 3522800600
PDN: Pathogen Data Network
Funded by the NIH NIAID BRC program, the Pathogen Data Network is a global consortium aiming to provide infrastructure, tools, training, outreach and support to FAIR infectious-diseases data sharing and reuse. It will cover diverse biodata types, including host and pathogen genomics, transcriptomics, proteins, pathways and networks, imaging and cohorts. In total, 12 institutions and 19 partners are involved in the consortium.
All the publicly available data to be integrated with further datasets and tools from a range of pathogen-related data resources will be made accessible and re-usable under the Pathogens Portal (PP), hosted at EMBL-EBI, and within distributed local Pathogen Portals (LPP), hosted globally and enabling additional functionalities to be customized for the specific local context.
Outside pandemic and other emergency periods requiring specific response, PDN will develop around a use case on environmental surveillance, with dedicated workflows implemented on the central Pathogen Analysis System, training and policy research. During public health events of concern, such as major outbreaks, PDN will actively assess the value of the tools and services that it can offer also beyond the environmental surveillance domain to provide focused urgent support following appropriate discussion and agreement with NIH-NIAID.
The project is organized into six workstreams: Pathogens Portals, FAIR Data Management, Data Analysis, Policy & Ethics, Training & Outreach, Community
The DSMZ is involved in work streams 4 and 6. The Policy & Ethics workstream develops a transparent and effective governance structure of PDN informed through a consultative process involving all constituencies, The Community work stream ensures community-driven developments that meet existing needs and have real impact. It is a forum to identify gaps, propose new ideas of features and prioritize developments to be implemented. Ultimately, the forum aims to facilitate widest use of pathogen biodata for research, management (including surveillance and informing policy) and learning, by enhancing the utility of open pathogen biodata to our stakeholders.
The major goals of the PDN are:
- provide a knowledgebase
- develop innovative computational methods
- enable and empower all data consumers and producers to engage as designers and beneficiaries of this key global infrastructure
- nurture a community of trust
- develop and present evidence-based policy options
- build sustainable infrastructure
Funding organisation: NIH - National Institutes of Health
Funding reference number(s): 1U24AI183840
EVORA: European Viral Outbreak Response Alliance
The European Viral Outbreak Research Alliance is a new Horizon Europe project that builds on synergies and leverage complementarities between three existing research infrastructures: the European Virus Archive Global (EVA-G), ERINHA and ELIXIR. ERINHA is a pan-European distributed Research Infrastructure bringing together leading European Bio-Safety Level 4 and complementary facilities (e.g. BSL3) for research on high-consequence re(emerging) diseases. Their focus on biosafety and biosecurity ensures the safe handling of dangerous pathogens, contributing significantly to pandemic readiness. ELIXIR is a European life science infrastructure, which facilitates access to and analysis of life science data. Their expertise ensures efficient data sharing and collaboration, enhancing research outcomes in pandemic preparedness and response. Thus, EVORA provides the EU with a comprehensive, operational and coordinated framework for research to improve pandemic preparedness and response to viral threats. The DSMZ leads a work package on policy recommendations for pathogen preparedness to ensure compliance, transparency, and harmonization in managing viral resources and data for global health preparedness.
The major goals of the work package are:
- to ensure Nagoya Protocol compliance for end users of viral resources
- to analyze the intersection of the CBD and WHO rules on benefit-sharing, and the implications for management of viral resources
- to generate a roadmap for increased scientific transparency for viral digital resources and the translation of EVORA's scientific community for EU and international policymakers
Funding organisation: Horizon Europe
Funding reference number(s): 101131959
MICROBE - MICRObiome Biobanking (RI) Enabler
Microbiomes are communities of microorganisms that include bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi and microalgae, their structural elements, metabolites, signal molecules, mobile genetic elements and surrounding environmental conditions. They are essential for maintaining ecosystems and the health of plants, animals and humans. The EU-funded MICROBE project will cooperate with research infrastructures for the creation and development of methodologies and technologies to enable access to microbiome samples and associated data. The project objectives include technical solutions for microbiome preservation, propagation and functionality assessment, as well as data infrastructures. In addition, MICROBE will address issues associated with standardisation, ethical and legal requirements, and business opportunities.
Funding organisation: Horizon Europe
Funding reference number(s): 101094353
BGE: Biodiversity Genomics Europe
The Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) Project aims to accelerate the application of genomic science to enhance understanding of biodiversity, monitor biodiversity change and guide interventions to address the biodiversity decline. BGE coordinates and upscales DNA barcoding and reference genome generation in the context of European biodiversity with communities across the continent.
The major goals of the BGE project are:
CAPACITY: To establish functioning biodiversity genomics networks at the European level to connect and grow community capacity to use genomic tools to help tackle the biodiversity crisis with the ambition to (a) Future-proof our networks on biodiversity genomics research, (b) lower access thresholds to biodiversity genomics research, and (c) promote co-creation and citizen engagement.
PRODUCTION: To establish and implement large-scale biodiversity genomic data-generating pipelines for Europe to accelerate the production and accessibility of genomic data for biodiversity characterisation, conservation and bio-monitoring with the ambition to (a) establish distributed and inclusive capacity, (b) build economies of scale and (c) connect previously disjoined resources to deliver relevant knowledge.
APPLICATION: To apply genomic tools to enhance understanding of pan-European biodiversity and biodiversity declines to improve the efficacy of management interventions and bio-monitoring programmes with the ambition to (a) improve the use of biodiversity genomics data in science policy and (b) establish European-wide large scale biodiversity genomics research mechanisms.
The BGE Consortium is comprised of 33 partners across 20 countries and brings together, for the first time at this scale, the two communities for barcoding and reference genome to implement its aspirational programme.
The Science Policy & Internationalisation department is involved in the BGE project by supporting the connection of biodiversity genomics data and science policy as well as offering a help desk for Nagoya compliance.
Funding organisation: Horizon Europe
Funding reference number(s): 101059492