Enabling science : EU support to research infrastructures in the life sciences

A number of research infrastructures dedicated to life sciences are currently being developed in Europe through the cooperation of Member States with strong support by the European Commission. The European research policy is also encouraging the opening of major European research infrastructures to all researchers, on the basis of scientific excellence. The EU supports networks of infrastructures involving a large scope of facilities ranging from medical research facilities to biological resource centres. It also includes genomics and proteomics research facilities, as well as bioinformatics resources. In the field of food and agriculture, the EU action supports plant research facilities, aquaculture and animal quarantine stations.