OmicsTech recently participated in the III Jornada de las Infraestructuras Científicas y Técnicas Singulares (ICTS) 2024, held at Sincrotrón ALBA, one of the largest ICTS in Spain. The event was organised by the Subdirección General de Grandes Instalaciones Científico-Técnicas of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU). The opening of this one-day symposium was in charge of Eva Ortega, Secretary-General of Research at MICIU, and Joan Gomez Pallarès, Director General of Research at the Catalan Government's Department of Research and Universities.

The event was structured into three panels, featuring experts from across the Spanish ICTS network. Panel 1, titled ‘Transferencia de conocimiento’, explored opportunities for Spanish ICTS to share their expertise with other organisations to enhance these entities in realizing their full potential. Meanwhile, Panel 3, titled ‘Cómo incrementar y diversificar la demanda de usuarios’, addressed of the primary challenges facing Spanish ICTS—collaborating with a broader and more diverse range of institutions.

OmicsTech’s contribution was highlighted in Panel 2, titled ‘Sumando capacidades de las ICTS para ofrecer soluciones a retos y problemas complejos,’ where Mònica Bayés, OmicsTech’s representative and Strategy Coordinator at CNAG, showcased the interactions of OmicsTech alongside three key nodes—genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, with other research infrastructures within the Spanish and the European landscapes.

As part of the European Union’s Infrastructure initiatives, OmicsTech actively participates in the development and consolidation of Research Infrastructures such as Elixir, Isisba, Metrofood, and Easigen, and plays a vital role in European Union initiatives for transnational access through projects such as ESGI, EASI-Genomics, and Epic-X. In addition, outside the EU, OmicsTech participates in the Centre for genome imaging, funded through US National Institutes of Health.

In Spain, OmicsTech has established itself as a significant contributor within the network of unique scientific and technical infrastructures, being part of RedIris and partnering with key institutions such as the Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES), Reserva Biológica de Doñana (RBD), and Sistema de Observación Costero de les Illes Balears (SOCIB). Reference genomes for the spadefoot toad, the razorfish, and the olive tree have been obtained in the framework of such collaborations. Looking ahead, OmicsTech’s strategic plan envisions new collaborations in access provision, research projects and transversal areas to further its impact on scientific and technological advancement.

In summary, the III Jornada de las Infraestructuras Científicas y Técnicas Singulares (ICTS) 2024 has become an essential event for addressing the current and future challenges of the Spanish ICTS network. This third meeting serves as a valuable strategic reflection for all participants.