Accelerating Translational Research through Open Science: The Neuro Experiment.

E. Richard Gold

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2001259

Abstract

Translational research is often afflicted by a fundamental problem: a limited understanding of disease mechanisms prevents effective targeting of new treatments. Seeking to accelerate research advances and reimagine its role in the community, the Montreal Neurological Institute (Neuro) announced in the spring of 2016 that it is launching a five-year experiment during which it will adopt Open Science—open data, open materials, and no patenting—across the institution. The experiment seeks to examine two hypotheses. The first is whether the Neuro’s Open Science initiative will attract new private partners. The second hypothesis is that the Neuro’s institution-based approach will draw companies to the Montreal region, where the Neuro is based, leading to the creation of a local knowledge hub. This article explores why these hypotheses are likely to be true and describes the Neuro’s approach to exploring them.

Highlights

Translational research is often afflicted by a fundamental problem: a limited understanding of disease mechanisms prevents effective targeting of new treatments [1]
This article explores the potential of Open Science in general, and at the Neurological Institute (Neuro) and in Montreal in particular
A final advantage of the Neuro Open Science initiative is the expectation that it will accelerate the generation of sticky knowledge in the Montreal area

Summary

Introduction

Translational research is often afflicted by a fundamental problem: a limited understanding of disease mechanisms prevents effective targeting of new treatments [1]. While the Neuro’s story is unique in that it is the first institution to adopt an open science model across the entire spectrum of its research, which includes clinical work, it will provide a window into the future applications of Open Science more generally. In adopting Open Science at the institutional level, the Neuro hopes to achieve benefits beyond that for research; the initiative provides a foundation for multiple parties—researchers in and outside of McGill, patient organizations, regulators, and industry—to engage in neurobiological research and to engage in local “knowledge-based economic development” [11].

Results

Conclusion