FLU-LAB-NET - Project Summary
Currently, within the European Union, a largely informal communications system exists between the avian influenza (AI) national reference laboratories (NRLs), coordinated by the community reference laboratory (CRL). The on-going global H5N1 crisis and the more recent emergence and rapid global spread of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus has resulted in a significantly increased demand for laboratory capacity and capabilities for influenza virus diagnosis and surveillance.
The exponential growth in this work has also highlighted the benefits of closer collaboration within the network that we propose to address and the need for closer integration between veterinary and public health laboratories. FLU-LAB-NET, provides new opportunities for enhancement and reinforcement of the CRL and NRL networks within the EU, facilitating improvements and harmonisation of laboratory and diagnostic methods, coordination of research efforts, data exchange, as well as development and sharing of training aids and expertise.
Rapid responses to national and global emergencies with data sharing will be key areas of exploitation, leading to a European laboratory task force capability for AI and other important influenza A viruses in animal species. Rapid and formal interactive communications will be addressed through the application of web-based forums. The envisaged network will also encompass participation of laboratories involved in influenza research in domestic mammals and foster formal links and coordination with corresponding human, swine and equine influenza networks.
FLULAB- NET provides a vision of enhanced interactions, identifying and developing the complementarities of global, multi-disciplinary influenza research programmes. Strategically important Third country and INCO partners are also included in this network, in order to raise laboratory standards and benefit from knowledge sharing. This will promote greater trust, understanding and early access to information that may be of importance to both veterinary and public health in the EU.
Four major Work Packages (WP) have been identified, each managed by a WP leader (WPL). Each WPL will work to a specified job description and work objectives.
Work Package 1: Task Coordination, Management & Logistics
WP1 has been established with well-defined activities to provide an infrastructure to achieve maximum integration and coordination between WPs in the Task and within the matrix structure of the project. The role of WP1 is to ensure that all relevant contacts are made with the Commission including reporting, organisation of meetings, allocation and utilisation of resources. The WP leader will liaise with and ensure that all partners and WP leaders respect deadlines that have been agreed. Issues relating to potential non-delivery and problem solving options will be identified and acted upon. More>>
Work Package 2: Development & Management of the Information Technology (IT) Systems Networks for Improved Communications
WP2 provides an IT infrastructure to support a “virtual” collaboration Network to enhance interactions and communications between the ‘Internal’ and ‘External’ partner networks. This is achieved by means of a synergistic, three phase programme. Phase I will enable rapid, up-front, implementation of a simple, web-based collaboration solution. Phase II will gather requirements for further collaboration facilities and content to provide a more extensive collaboration environment and the needs of a truly global Avian Influenza network. Cross-fertilisation with other EU Networks of Excellence and other projects should identify synergies and potential for sharing common technical solutions. Phase III, the third and final phase, will provide implementation of technical solutions and web content including document libraries and training material. More>>
Work Package 3: Establishing the 'Internal' FLU-LAB-NET Network for the EU25 MS AI Reference Laboratories
WP3 for the EU27 Member State AI Reference Laboratories, will enable identification of key areas for development within the EU27 NRL ‘Internal’ network, organisation of meetings and regular discussion forums. Activities in WP2 will allow for scoping assessments to optimise communication and remote harmonisation of methods between members of the network through evaluation, development and implementation of a suite of IT tools, enveloped as FLU-LAB-NET. WP3 will facilitate opportunities for rapid communication and discussion especially in relation to disease emergency response, but also using IT facilities for research and development forums. Improved communication via an interactive forum will enable timely troubleshooting of laboratory related problems, encourage collective debate and input to technical problem resolution promoting improved minimum standards, greater consistency and speedy resolution of problems particularly those of a technical nature. The CRL will also liaise with the European Commission on progress and developments from the project.
In addition, other activities related to harmonisation of methods between laboratories will be explored. For example, the preparation and distribution of standards and controls for influenza A virus RealTime PCR assays for testing by appropriate WP3 (and possibly WP4) partners. Results will be collated and shared through an appropriate forum in WP3/WP4 as appropriate. Benefits and outputs of these approaches will be made available as required to other strategically relevant laboratories, institutes and organisations, including partners and members in the Internal and External networks, and others working in the veterinary and public health arenas with reference to influenza. In addition, during the life of the project, additional strategically relevant laboratories, institutes and organisations may be identified and these may then be invited to participate in the project as FLU-LAB-NET project Members. More>>
Work Package 4: Establishing 'External' Networks linking to EU25 FLU-LAB-NET
WP4, “Establishing ‘External’ Networks linking to EU27 FLU-LAB-NET”, will provide an open discussion forum between EU and INCO states, Third countries and laboratories involved in influenza research/surveillance in domestic and companion mammalian species, as well as fostering links and coordination with corresponding networks for human influenza. Due to the dynamic epizootiological situation that influenza A viruses present, including the rapid rate-of-change regarding emergent HPAI incursions in novel geographical locations and the emergence and spread of these viruses at the animal-human interface, further assessments to target additional, appropriate INCO and Third country partners/members, outside the EU27 MS NRL 'Internal' network, will be undertaken during the first three months of the life of the project, and at designated intervals thereafter. Meetings and/or forums will be organised to facilitate the provision and transfer of relevant information, evaluate pertinent issues, including ‘state of the art’ and workshops with themes associated with training and knowledge sharing. Embracing the ‘External’ Partners within FLU-LAB-NET will allow for development of a research agenda relating to common issues or topics between networks and, therefore, more readily identify opportunities for collaboration through formal projects as appropriate. Additionally, FLU-LAB-NET WP4 will examine forums for rapid data and knowledge sharing eg. gene sequences. Contact points from the ‘External’ networks will be identified, allowing for coordination of planned research efforts as appropriate. Following on from the laboratory-based outputs of WP3 (evaluation of proficiency testing panels, test methods etc.), it is envisaged that harmonised and enhanced proficiency testing panels and protocols can be rolled out for assessment and/or implementation across the 'External' network, comprising the INCO and Third countries. These panels of samples will be made available as required to mammalian influenza partner institutes, international organisations and to public health reference laboratory partners, in addition to circulation within the EU NRL 'Internal' network. In addition, during the life of the project, additional strategically relevant laboratories, institutes and organisations may be identified and these may then be invited to participate in the project as FLU-LAB-NET project Members. More>>
