Workpackages

The workplan for the project has been crafted around five workpackages (WPs). Each WP focuses on a specific coordination activity that will optimise and harmonise the management and research use of population-based biobanks and large cohort studies.

The individual workpackages, which are described in detail below, are:

WP1 – Epidemiology and Biostatistics
WP2 – Opportunities for Future Biobanking in Europe
WP3 – Databases and Biobank Information Management Systems
WP4 – Strategies for Genotyping in Large Scale Biobanks
WP5 – Ethical and Societal Issues

The various workpackages are distinct but they interrelate in numerous ways. By focusing the work within specialised work packages, we are able to concentrate a critical mass of expert scientists on topics that not only attract their interest, but also are highly pertinent to the development of their personal research strategies. At the same time, by combining workpackages with one another within the project and in particular by ensuring that all workpackages meet together at two large conferences, the project will also benefit from being able to make direct use of the links between WPs. For example, there will be cross-representation of many scientists on more than one workpackage. There will also be major areas of shared interest between workpackages.

The specific themes of the workpackages have evolved from extensive discussions held at a series of international meetings on biobanks. These have included a number of workshops organised by the EU funded COGENE initiative and by the Canadian/European funded P3G initiative. One of the very positive outcomes of the COGENE initiative was the creation of a working party with a special interest in population-based biobanks and cohort studies. This working party has now fused with the leaders of the P3G initiative and it is this combined group, with several new members, that forms the core of the PHOEBE project group. The extensive discussions that have taken place have also highlighted the huge advantage that comes from the ability to build upon the intellectual foundations already laid down by the EU funded GenomEUtwin project. Several members of the GenomEUtwin research team are also part of the Popultaion Biobanks group.

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