What are the perspectives for technology platforms in the field of neuroscience?

摘要

Technology platforms have undergone a huge development, especially over the past decade. In 2004, the European Commission created a group entrusted with studying the development and deployment of a common research agenda (1), Of the 23 platforms (active or under imminent activation) identified, only two related to medicine and the content of one of these (the one devoted to nanotechnologies) was, in any case, strongly technological/industrial in nature. Most of them concerned industrial sectors (e.g. textiles, aviation, etc.) or services (maritime transport, rail transport, etc.). The diversity of the areas covered goes some way towards explaining the differences between the various platforms and the non-uniqueness of their definition, organization and roles (2). This applies particularly in certain sectors such as medicine, where the boundaries between organizational and technological aspects are sometimes unclear. The characteristics, objectives and organization are often defined by the proposing body, particularly taking into account the parties involved, and their national or international character (3). The European Community has been a major promoter of the creation of technology platforms. The European Technology Platforms (ETPs), often incorporated into framework programs, are generally informal, industry-led private fora that benefit from the participation of academic institutions and research organizations. Governmental organizations (national or European) are not direct participants, but rather engage in active exchanges with the ETP stakeholders, informing them of available financial instruments. ETPs do not carry out research activities themselves, but instead support research indirectly, contributing to the development of plans for research funding or creating infrastructure or technology-sharing links between participants.