The Biotechnology Information Strategic ForumWhat is the BTSF?The BTSF is a consortium of biotechnology information producers, who research and debate issues of strategic importance among themselves and with users and other allied experts such as librarians, database hosts and software producers. The group was established in 1992 following the recommendations of the report "Bioinformatics in Europe - Strategy for a European biotechnology information infrastructure", partially funded by the European Commission. The group works by drawing together teams of experts from the foremost producers and users of biotechnology information. Further expertise is gained from associate members drawn from the library, database and networking fields. MembershipThe BTSF presently consists of some 26 members drawn from the producer and
user sides of the industry and supported by a scientific secretariat:
BTSF MeetingsThe meetings operate from a researched pre-programme. The problems are first
identified and then circulated to the members so that the different expertise
present among the membership can be brought to bear. The meeting itself is used
to present the problems and the solutions before the ensuing debate draws conclusions
and action plans. The results are then published in paper and electronic forms.
MeetingsStrategic Issues in Biotechnology Information A workshop held in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, April 1994 Biotechnology Information: Access, Storage, Validation and Security A workshop held in Wallingford, UK, October 1996 Financing Biotechnology Databases A workshop held in Purmerend, The Netherlands, 29-30 May 1997 Building and Owning Biotechnology Databases A workshop held in Purmerend, The Netherlands, 22-23 September 1998 ContactsFor further information about the BTSF, please contact: The BTSF Secretariat c/o Dr Jack Franklin These pages are hosted for the BTSF by the Laboratory of Bioinformatics at Wageningen UR in collaboration with EMBnet |