NISB Research Strategy

Premise

NISB research projects are characterised by the iterative cycle of experiment predictive quantitative model quantitative prediction experimental verification improved model  et cetera.
Hence, research in NISB is based on the synergism between experimental (‘wet’) and modelling (‘dry’) research. Choices in ‘wet’ research will be driven by quantitative and predictive bio-modelling. At the same time, ‘dry’ research will be devoted to develop generic and specific bio-modelling approaches and theories, based on experimental data sets. This approach allows full implementation of the systems biology paradigm, initiating and exploiting the iterative cycle, and ensures a systematic, goal-oriented and efficient tackling of key problems in the life sciences.
NISB starts from the notion that underlying principles are highly similar in all organisms, from ‘simple’ unicellular prokaryotes to multicellular higher eukaryotes, including animals and plants. Because the systems biology type of approach requires large and diverse experimental data sets, NISB will focus on a small number of experimental systems in parallel, exploiting the benefits from each and combining the insights obtained.
NISB focuses on the integrated functioning of metabolic, signal-transduction and genetic networks in combination with systems that drive the generation of shape and force in living cells.

Objectives

NISB aims to coordinate and share research efforts, research facilities, knowledge, and grant applications on behalf of its partners.
NISB is set to achieve the following objectives:
- Amalgamating and strengthening research in the field of molecular systems biology by combining and synergising expertise in biology, biophysics, computational sciences and engineering by initiating and executing collaborative research programs;
- Develop and foster scientific excellence in the national and international field of system biology;
- Create national and international visibility for NISB by taking initiatives and exercise leadership in the field of system biology;
- Enhance our scientific strength to be successful on the highly dynamic national and European funding markets.
Thus, NISB practices as a group the same principle as underscores its science: components (i.e. partners/researchers) can only achieve their full potential when operating in the context of a network/system.

Research Programme: Networks for Life

A NISB research programme was developed after extensive consultations with NISB principal investigators (PIs) and guidance from the NISB board. The first NISB research programme was released on 2007 December 24 under the title Networks for Life. The full text of the brochure is here available: NISB Research Programme 2008 (PDF format).
The programme consists of the following components:
- Five NISB research clusters, bringing dry and wet research groups from different partners together;
- NISB Think Tanks, tackling specific systems biology issues in ad hoc groups of NISB (associate) PIs (ca 5 TTs per year);
- NISB Workshops, addressing specific systems biology topics (ca 4 per year);
- NISB Training Courses at master and PhD level, to help close the gap between modellers and experimentalists;
- NISB Grant application support.

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NISBResearchProgramme_Brochure_Final_20080602.pdf	734.5 KB