Increasing demand for sophisticated clinical diagnostics makes current diagnostic capacities insufficient. A potential solution lies in semi-automatic systems speeding up the diagnosis process. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning seem to be very promising approaches to the automation of diagnostic systems. However, most academic AI systems are opaque black boxes that cannot be easily understood, tested and certified. Also, academic AI solutions are often hard to reproduce, and their evaluation is insufficiently connected with clinical practice. This motivates MU and MMCI to team with two advanced partners (AP), MUG and TUB, and establish a BioMedAI infrastructure allowing close cooperation of computer science and clinical experts to develop explainable trustworthy AI solutions. Both AP possess rich experience with AI solutions for healthcare. Namely, processing large amounts of sensitive image and clinical data, interactive machine learning methods with a human-in-the-loop, and validating AI methods for healthcare. The main body of the BioMedAI project concentrates on training computer science researchers at MU and clinical experts at MMCI in the development of explainable AI methods based on high-quality medical data and validated in a clinical setting. Concretely, we propose organizing thematic workshops, virtual training with hands-on experience in developing explainable AI tools, and two summer schools. One will be oriented towards basic research in explainable AI methods for image and clinical data processing, and the other one towards the FAIR management of sensitive medical data. Furthermore, the BioMedAI project will also increase the visibility and presence of the explainable AI research in healthcare at MU and MMCI by training a PR manager responsible for presenting the research to various stakeholders, and by training the existing project management staff at MU and MMCI in writing grant applications for projects in EU and elsewhere.

In 2035, cancer will have become the leading cause of death in the EU. In line with the Horizon Europe Plan to Beat Cancer, one of the five Horizon Missions, the PRESSURE network sets out to train 10 future experts who will push the development and clinical implementation of effective treatments and policies against therapy resistance in cancer. This innovative project will specifically focus on esophageal adenocarcinoma as one of the most complex cancer types in terms of resistance, and most urgently in need of novel solutions. Prominent factors that contribute to the poor outcome of esophageal cancer are a high degree of acquired resistance, and heterogeneous responses to the available therapies. Despite this knowledge, there are currently no consensus treatments for this disease in the EU, and there is insufficient awareness of the need for a unified low-risk treatment strategy. Numerous different regimens are currently given across the continent, and as a result highly divergent outcomes of EAC are observed. This adds to Cancer Inequalities in Europe. To address this, PRESSURE researchers will receive exhaustive intersectoral training, and deliver high-quality knowledge, across the entire value chain: Epidemiology, imaging, patient-derived model systems, resistance mechanisms, diagnostics, patient-centricity, valorization, and treatment. By receiving this diverse training, the ESRs will become next generation thinkers and problem-solvers, and will be able to deliver creative contributions to all fields involved in the combatting of cancer with unique solutions applicable in the clinic and society. This combination of complementary research expertise and rich training is not currently offered in an EU network.

Since its creation, the Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure - European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC) has made a remarkable contribution to European and international cutting-edge research, as one of the largest RI for health research and in life sciences in Europe. 2023 marking its 10-year anniversary, BBMRI-ERIC is facing a unique moment to look into the long-term future and to develop its strategy for the next decade to ensure long-term sustainability. The EvolveBBMRI project aims to further develop BBMRI-ERIC for the benefit of its scientific communities and users, increase its capacity to serve EU policy priorities and further deepen its collaboration with industry. The project is structured in four thematic pillars: 1) Acceleration of datafication of biobanks and biomolecular resources to enable reproducible advanced medical research in support of EU health priorities ; 2) Teaming with industry towards greener biobanking; 3) Long-term sustainability measures for BBMRI addressing also RI landscape gaps; and 4) Strengthened approach for career paths, training and outreach activities to maximise impact. The project will ensure the implementation of specific results on 6 key target groups: a) Scientific community (Universities, Hospitals, Research Institutes); b) BBMRI-ERIC National Nodes, Biobanks in Europe and beyond; c) Industry and private foundations; d) Policy- and decision-makers at national and European levels; e) European and International networks and f) Donors, Patients and Citizens. EvolveBBMRI activities and outputs within its four Pillars will increase the long-term sustainability of BBMRI-ERIC and will thus contribute to a better structured and strengthened European research infrastructure landscape. Ultimately, the project will contribute to increase the scientific excellence to better tackle scientific and societal challenges and to expand and secure global competitiveness of the European Research Area

BBMRI-ERIC: the Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure - European Research Infrastructure Consortium, aims to establish, operate and develop a Pan-European distributed research infrastructure in order to facilitate the access to biological resources as well as facilities and to support high quality biomolecular and biomedical research. The ADOPT BBMRI-ERIC proposal aims at boosting and accelerating implementation of BBMRI-ERIC and its services. Its main deliverables are designed to complete or launch the construction of key Common Services of the Research Infrastructure as required for ESFRI-projects "under implementation", reflecting the targets of the European Research Area (ERA). One of the challenges in the post-genomic era is the research on common complex diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Revealing these diseases will depend critically on the study of human biological samples and data from large numbers of patients and healthy individuals. The EU’s ageing population is will result in an increase in many of those diseases and consequently an increased healthcare expenditure for senior citizens. BBMRI-ERIC is a specific European asset having become a fundamental component in addressing the ongoing and future requirements particularly of Europe's health service frameworks, including competitiveness and innovativeness of health-related industries. Its implementation is essential for the understanding of the diversity of human diseases, biological samples and corresponding data, which are required for the development of any new drug or diagnostic assay and are, therefore, critical for the advancement in health research, ultimately leading to personalised medicine. BBMRI-ERIC will provide a gateway access to the collections of the European research community, expertise and services building on the outcome of ADOPT BBMRI-ERIC.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Europe with an expected increase of about 25% by 2035. A wide and unacceptable variability in terms of access to research, innovation and quality care exists between and within countries. Possible solutions are an increase in knowledge by funding research, and a more equitable transfer of what we already know to everyone. Comprehensive Cancer Centers and Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks may be the core of CCIs that deliver quality care and provide resources to improve and integrate care, research and education. Data already available confirm that the level of "CCI maturity" in Member States is widely different, from some countries lacking CCIs completely. A European initiative, implemented in all Member States, based on a capacity building programme (CBP), will help reduce inequalities, in the context of other actions ongoing, such as CRANE, JANE and UNCAN. CBP is a complex intervention that requires multiple and integrated actions delivered to all the relevant stakeholders. CBP will be designed with an inclusive approach, tailored to the baseline status, capable of creating a change and improvement in research and care, with greater integration between them, supported by an education programme. It will operate at various levels: Individuals, Institutions and Systems. The CSA will implement the following steps: define CCI Maturity Model including quality indicators; profile the CCIs in each MS and a few ACs in terms of CCI presence and levels of maturity; design tailored CBP interventions, giving priority to MSs without any CCI; deliver online training courses open to teams in all MSs and ACs, implement targeted onsite interventions; scale up and sustain development; disseminate, exploit and report results. The CSA will maximize impact by bridging with the work of ongoing EU cancer research projects. National focal points will be key informants in making the links between the CSA, the EC and MSs.