Forward Look
The Forward Look should aim to boost the European momentum behind what should become a world-wide programme in the area of systems biology. It should result in new European research lines with unprecedented strength through coordination and integration of the European research area on this most integrative topic. For the first time perhaps a key scientific topic connects sciences and technologies ranging from mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology and biomedical research to medicine itself. It also connects topics for which scientific excellence spans the European continent and for the combination of which Europe has the greatest potential. The wider ambition is to set up a worldwide programme in which the activities in Europe, the United States, Japan and other countries are harmonised and coordinated.
The overall goal of the Forward Look should be the setting out of a path to achieve the understanding of how a cell works on a molecular level - a goal that, although highly ambitious, is feasible and considerable parts of it could be achieved in 5 to 10 years if forces were joined at the European level.
The Forward Look should bring together scientists from all relevant areas (life sciences, medical sciences, physics, computing, mathematics), politicians and representatives from industry to analyze what is needed to achieve that aim and to set a timetable.
The Forward Look should consist of workshops and a final conference, with the conclusions being published in a Position Paper.
