Nationwide Bundling of Expertise and Resources

Systems biology crosses borders – academic, institutional and financial. For research to be effective in this area of science, it is absolutely essential that disciplines that formerly had little to do with each other work together. Additionally, systems biology also requires a critical mass of funding and personnel. These needs were recognized in Switzerland and the course was set accordingly for a nationwide bundling of expertise and resources.

Fifteen equal partners

The foundation for this ambitious initiative was laid in 2007 with the establishment of the SystemsX.ch research network. What in 2004 began as a collaboration between three universities now comprises fifteen equal partners: two federal universities, eight cantonal universities and five other research institutions. SystemsX.ch has developed into Switzerland’s biggest ever public-sector research initiative and is focused on an area of basic research.