GISAID

The Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) was brought to life on [August 24], [2006] by a group of leading medical researchers from around the world, after announcing the formation of this international coalition for greater transparency, to improve the sharing of [influenza] data, analyze data findings jointly and publish the results collaboratively. This initiative was announced in a letter published in the journal Nature Over 70 leading scientists have signed this letter including seven [Nobel laureates].

Although GISAID operates a publicly accessible database it will still, automatically deposit genomic sequences it collected, in publicly funded databases such as the INSDC, IVDB and LANL as soon as possible after analysis and validation, with a maximum delay of six months.

The GISAID platform spans national borders and scientific disciplines, with leaders in the fields of [veterinary medicine], [human medicine], [bioinformatics], [epidemiology] and [intellectual property]. This cross-disciplinary effort provides new means to communicate and share information, as each discipline has distinct interests but also shares similar goals. The Initiative came together to work around restrictions which have previously prevented specifically [avian influenza] more commonly known as [bird flu] information sharing, with the hope that more shared information will help researchers understand how viruses spread, evolve, and potentially become pandemic.

GISAID data is accessible to all scientists, provided they agree to share their own data, credit the use of others’ data, analyze findings jointly, and publish results collaboratively.

Goals

The Initiative has earned widespread international support around the goal of better understanding the spread and [evolution] of the influenza virus, its transmissibility and pathogenicity. With this goal in mind, the Initiative determined that scientists from different fields of expertise needed full access to comprehensive [genetic sequencing], clinical and epidemiological data, as well as analysis from both human and animal isolates in order to better understand the virus and its potential [mutation] to a [pandemic] [pathogen]. The Initiative aims to provide developing countries with better access to scientific research and the development of potential pandemic flu vaccines to lessen its dependence on foreign aid. It is already hailed as a model for future initiatives.

History

The Foundation was initially funded by Peter Bogner - a strategic advisor and international broadcasting executive - who serves as its founder and principal facilitator. Bogner is directing the build-up of this powerful platform by bringing together the world’s leading scientists and stakeholders who are actively committed to accelerating understanding of this potential human pandemic by rapidly sharing scientific data and results.

On [January 28], 2006 Bogner first realized the dire situation when discussing the US Government's lack of a feasible plan on dealing with the potential of a flu pandemic, while having a breakfast meeting with [US Secretary of Homeland Security] [Michael Chertoff] at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. A subsequent public outcry by Italian veterinary researcher Ilaria Capua of the Italian based Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie outside of [Venice], [Italy] who was complaining about the [World Health Organization's] sharing practices, eventually led to a dialogue with Bogner, who rallied researchers to unite for the Initiatives creation.

Since the announcement of the Initiative, Bogner announced his plans to transition out of a day-to-day role as the Chief Executive of The Bogner Organization, to allow him to devote more time to working with the GISAID Foundation as its director.

In November of 2006, the Initiative received the endorsement of The Royal Society and The Academy of Medical Sciences. On [December 19], 2006, GISAID signed a cooperation agreement with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, to lead a Swiss consortium to manage its worldwide database on influenza virus strains.

Governance

The Foundation is governed by its Board of [Trustees], which is chaired by its Chairman. The Members of Board and the Chairman are elected.

The Foundation has also the support of a Scientific Advisory Board, which is composed of scientists who are leaders in their respective fields of study and who are as representative as possible of the geographic, ethnic and cultural diversity of the global scientific community. The Scientific Advisory Board is expected to provide guidance, leadership and advise on appropriate policies governing publication, public communication, access to, and dissemination of, data concerning influenza viruses, including those with pandemic or epidemic potential and to recommend appropriate policies for coordinated international oversight. Its members are elected by the members of the scientific experts groups of GISAID.