Virtual laboratories in the life sciences. A new blueprint for reorganizing research at the European level.

Abstract

In a few years, the European Union (EU) will have grown from its current 15 member states to 25 nations. At the same time, a truly European convention is being discussed that will give the EU a new legal basis for its business. These political developments will also have important implications for European scientists and researchers. Basically, we are at the crossroads where Europe as a whole has to decide whether it will invest more into scientific research—particularly in the life sciences—because it is no longer feasible to continue research with the modest funds that are now the case for many European states. The growing demand for large‐scale experiments, expensive instrumentation, better coordination, and better access to data, technologies and interdisciplinary approaches makes the current situation untenable. To remain competitive on a global scale—scientifically as well as economically—we need to improve coordination and increase the financial support for all forms of research, be it at the university or at the institutional level. > To remain competitive on a global scale, we need to improve coordination and increase the financial support for all forms of research, be it at the university or at the institutional level Some initiatives have already been implemented to improve the situation, but it is unclear if they will be sufficient. Nevertheless, their aim is to restructure the European research landscape, which, if successful, will have positive consequences for how scientists go about their daily lives. Given that funding will always be limited, whereas the costs of research continue to increase, European research must indeed restructure, pool resources and increase international cooperation to use the available funds more efficiently. This article intends to point out limitations and suggest ways in which these problems can be solved. Emerging from these discussions is a clear consensus for a strategic reorganization …