Modern biology has a great impact on human health, agriculture, environment, biological industrial processes as well as in energy production. Research in biotechnology and molecular medicine extends from molecules to living organisms. Complete sequence information of the human genome as well as many other organisms is now available, and a combination of bioinformatics, molecular modeling and systems biology provides us with tools that can help us to gain a better understanding of biological processes and to produce novel useful molecules. Recent major methodological advances along with an increasing amount of information available set large demands on research infrastructures as well as on researchers in modern biosciences.

The aim of Biocenter Finland is to be one of the significant research organizations in Europe, to act as a focus point for the best scientists, and to establish a bioscience platform where data, methodologies, infrastructures and know-how are efficiently distributed among the scientific community. Research training is a central function of Biocenter Finland. Biocenter Finland will collaborate with hospitals, medical research centres and other institutes focused on applied biosciences. In addition, a key aim is to support innovation and entrepreneurship in biotechnology. Biocenter Finland will forge links with European and worldwide research organizations and contribute to the European Road Map of Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) process.

To meet these goals, the working group of Biocenter Finland has prepared a proposal for restructuring and development of biosciences in Finland. This memorandum is available for download in English and in Finnish.