A few weeks ago, CNAG welcomed José Luis Martínez, Chair of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about CNAG’s role in shaping the future of European genomics, including its coordination of EASIGEN-DS, an EU-funded project designing a future European Research Infrastructure for advanced genomics technologies.

During the visit, the EASIGEN-DS Coordination team presented the project’s main objectives, progress and activities, followed by discussions on the role of advanced genomics and multi-omics technologies within Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem. Particular attention was given to the evolving relationship between Research Infrastructures and Technology Infrastructures, and to how both can work together to respond effectively to the needs of different user communities, from academia to industry.

Putting users at the centre of infrastructure design is a key principle of EASIGEN-DS. Through a range of stakeholder engagement activities, the project is collecting input from different communities to help define the future infrastructure’s services and ensure they address emerging scientific and technological needs.
The visit also included a tour of CNAG’s sequencing facilities and data cluster, offering an insight into the state-of-the-art technologies and computational resources that underpin the centre’s large-scale genomics research and activities.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to showcase CNAG’s contribution to the European genomics landscape through EASIGEN-DS, while strengthening dialogue with ESFRI and exchanging perspectives on the priorities and needs that will shape the research infrastructures ecosystem in Europe.