An ambitious EC-funded research initiative on epigenetics advancing towards systems biology

WP6 EpiGeneSys Open Calls for Young Investigators (RISE 1):

The training and career development activities are at the heart of the network's agenda in order to prepare a new generation of scientists for future challenges in this multidisciplinary field.

The network's expansion phase came from the competitive recruitment of young investigators demonstrating a strong focus on applying tools of systems biology to solve questions of epigenetics Research Integrating Systems Biology and Epigenetics scheme (RISE), with the aim of generating a long-lasting impact on the integration of the two fields of research. The successfully recruited young investigators work at the interface of biological, computational, and/or engineering sciences to produce data relevant to mathematical analyses and modelling. An EpiGeneSys mentoring scheme will further support the RISE1 members in their first steps as independent PIs. In addition to a 150,000 EUR grant, EpiGeneSys offers these early career group leaders the opportunity to present their work at EpiGeneSys meetings and workshops and provides unique networking possibilities.

WP7 EpiGeneSys Training Activities & Training Advisory Board:

The RISE2 (Research Integrating System Biology and Epigenetics) scheme addresses master's and PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. EpiGeneSys offers dynamic PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the possibility to actively shape the training activities of the network by serving as a member of the Training Advisory Board. The TAB has become an important element in the dissemination of the epigenetics & systems biology culture within the network and beyond. Regular summer schools are complemented by special courses on the methodology and technologies necessary to effect the alliance between systems biology and epigenetics. The training programme also coordinates and stimulates the organisation of junior researcher meetings, facilitated by the TAB, which give the opportunity to learn how to organise a meeting, from putting together a programme and logistics to keeping a budget. Further schemes include a staff mobility and exchange scheme within the network and beyond as well as open calls for interdisciplinary projects on a smaller scale, which aim to foster collaborations between systems biologists and epigeneticists on a PhD/postdoc level and to provide early-stage scientists the opportunity to develop an idea for an independent project bringing together epigenetics and systems biology and to follow a project from conception stage to final reporting.