Life sciences
Life sciences are the collective term for scientific disciplines that focus on the study of living organisms — from molecules and cells to complete ecosystems. This broad field includes, among others, biology, biomedical sciences, genetics, pharmacy, and health sciences.
Through research into how life functions, knowledge is generated that is crucial for understanding, preventing, and treating diseases, as well as for improving healthcare.
Life sciences and health data for better healthcare
Within the field of life sciences, researchers, healthcare professionals, and data experts are increasingly working together. Innovations such as personalised medicine, advanced diagnostics, and data-driven research play a central role in this development. Access to high-quality data and the ability to share it securely and efficiently are essential for accelerating scientific breakthroughs.
Health-RI supports this development by providing a national infrastructure where health data and life sciences data come together. By combining life sciences data with other health data, such as data from the healthcare chain, Health-RI enables integrated research that contributes to better health through improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Shared challenges
The challenges facing the life sciences data field are similar to those in other health data domains: data is difficult to find, data is not accessible, linking data at the individual level is challenging, data is difficult to combine, and data cannot be easily reused.
By facilitating collaboration with and between different (research) fields and developing standards, Health-RI contributes to a future in which life sciences and health research can be better integrated, leading to improved health for all of us.
Activities van Health-RI binnen life sciences
Health-RI is active in the field of bioinformatics and systems biology, including through its support for the BioSB research school and the ELIXIR data infrastructure. In addition, Health-RI is committed to FAIR data stewardship and Open Science.
Within the life sciences domain, Health-RI focuses on facilitating shared technological facilities, providing training, and strengthening research communities. In doing so, the organisation contributes to a sustainable, accessible, and well-connected research infrastructure for the Dutch life sciences sector.
With a broad focus on the life sciences, Health-RI connects public and public–private research initiatives and infrastructures in the areas of health, nutrition and agrifood, biotechnology, and biodiversity. This collaboration promotes knowledge exchange, data sharing, and innovation across disciplinary boundaries.
Furthermore, with support from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), Health-RI plays a coordinating role in the development of the nationally operating Thematic Digital Competence Centre (TDCC) for health and life sciences. Through this, Health-RI supports the further development of digital expertise and facilities for research and innovation within these domains.
