Europe has many world-leading laboratories in epigenetic research. Based on two diverse proposals, The Epigenome Network of Excellence (NoE) has merged 25 research groups, plus 26 associate members and 12 NETs. This consortium has successfully negotiated a grant of €12.5 million within the EU Framework 6 Programme (FP6) to establish a coherent European Research Area (ERA) in epigenetic research during the next 5 years (2004-2009). The NoE will create a Virtual Care Institute with three important aims:

  • to advance scientific discoveries via a joint research programme
  • to integrate young colleagues via the NET programme
  • to establish an open dialogue by building an interactive website

All of the founding members of the NoE have agreed to contribute to a joint programme of activities (JPA) which is composed of 25 well-defined work packages to strengthen joint research, integration and dissemination. The launch of The Epigenome NoE under FP6 can only be regarded as a founding incentive, and additional funds are required for the durable shaping of the proposed structure. The Epigenome NoE officially started in June 2004. Having reached its functional size it is now undergoing a phase of consolidation. It aims to provide clear and visible benefits for the entire epigenetic community and as such will support both members and non-members with conferences, workshops, training visits, shared resources and an interactive website. It is the vision of this NoE to develop a powerful framework that can assimilate existing synergies and maintain European epigenetic research as a world-leading force. International support for The Epigenome NoE is provided by a scientific advisory board comprised of D. Allis (New York), S. Elgin (St. Louis), P. Jones (Los Angeles), R. Martienssen (CSHL), V. Pirrotta (New Jersey), J. Rine (Berkeley), and C. Wu (NIH).