Bioscience Communications

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• Bioscience Communications
• a vital challenge!
• Ann Van Gysel, Ph.D.

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VIB, a Research Institute

• Various life sciences disciplines
• Using gene technology tools
• Acquiring basic knowledge
• Focus basic research to understand functioning
  of the human body, plants and micro-organisms
• 60 research teams (800 scientists)
• At campuses of Flemish universities
• UGent, K.U.Leuven, VUB and UA
• Aim an improved quality of life, focussing on
  healthcare and plants

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Core Activities

• Strategic basic research (53 Mio )
• On normal and pathological processes occurring
  in a cell, organ and organism
• Continuous source of new technologies and
  findings
• An active Technology Transfer policy
• Inventions are protected by patents
• Basis of new social and industrial applications
• Actively licensed out
• Basis for new bio high-tech companies
• Public outreach and education
• Science based information
• Various target groups

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Researchers

• VIBs research groups are housed at the campuses
  of Flemish universities
• UGent, K.U.Leuven, UA and VUB
• Joint venture
• 800 scientists and technicians (60 research
  groups)
• ½ on VIB payroll
• Various granting bodies
• Collaboration with industry

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VIB, Autonomous Structure

• VIB headquarters 37
• Corporate, finance, HRM, TT, PR communications
• 4 university campusses 800
• 9 research departments joint venture with
  universities
• 3 VIB independent research groups
• VIB core technology groups
• MAF, PCF, genetic screening, bio informatics,
  functional genomics

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Life cycle
1995
1996
Phase I
2000

• Research
• Tech transfer
• Public outreach

• evaluation

2001
2002
Phase II
2006
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Research

• High level research
• High impact papers
• Tech transfer objectives
• Young leaders
• Internationalize (2003)
• 39 nationalities
• International Ph.D. Program
• Training and education (2003)
• 209 lab technicians
• 35 Ph.D.s, 95 master degrees

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Breakthroughs

• Genetics
• Immunology
• Cancer biology cell death
• Blood vessel formation
• Inflammatory diseases
• Neurobiology and Alzheimers disease
• Plant systems biology
• Dirk Inzé

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Tech Transfer

• Tech Transfer objectives
• Science Products for patients and
  consumers
• (disclosing inventions)
• Encourage scientific activities
• Promote cooperation with industry
• Set up of spin offs
• Create jobs

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Industrial Collaborations

• 47 license and RD agreements (187)
• 5 Mio industrial collaborations
• 70 negotiations (international)

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Start-up Companies

• DeVGen nv
• biopharma and agbio
• Cropdesign nv
• agbio
• Ablynx nv
• Biopharma
• Employees 200
• VC Investment 100 M
• RD contracts 40 M

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VIB Communications
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Public Outreach Education

• Goal
• Support a balanced, informed public debate
• Provide information on life sciences, gene
  technology
• Technical aspects
• Biotech applications
• Environmental, economical, ethical and societal
  implications
• How
• Scientifically based information
• Based on scientific facts ( figures)
• Two-way communication interactive!
• Willing to discuss other fields

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Action Plan
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
6.000.000
Professionals
Patient consumer org
Public at large
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Public Outreach

• Policy decision makers, advisors,
  administrators
• (Concerned) consumers, patients
• Various organisations
• Press and media
• Public at large
• Profesionals
• Those involved with gene technology biosciences
• Medical
• Agriculture nutritional

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Education

• Schools
• Science teachers
• Not always scientists
• Students
• 14 18 year olds
• All directions

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Information
In house
Ext. experts
Press and media
Various
Dialogue
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Approach
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Approach
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Approach
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Approach
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Approach
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Approach
Press and media
Policy makers/advisors
Teachers and students
Professionals
Patient/Consumer org
Information
Public at large
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Direct Communications

• Directed to the different target groups
• Specific programs
• Person-to-person interactions
• Information centre of knowledge
• Supported scientifically
• Balanced
• Based on dialogue and open communication
• Tailored to a variety of target groups

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Mass Communications

• Advertising (limited)
• Budget
• Announce large projects (such as exhibitions)
• Draw attention
• Editorial, press contacts (extensive at least
  once a month)
• National press releases and conferences
• Extensive database
• International press releases
• Limited database
• Website postings (Eurekalert, Alphagalileo)

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Target Groups

• Policy decision makers, advisors,
  administrators
• (Concerned) consumers, patients
• Various organisations
• Press and media
• Public at large
• Profesionals
• Schools

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Lectures Debates

• Identify organisations/groups
• Pro-active approach mailing
• Present speakers and lectures
• Agriculture and food, medicine, genetics, cloning
• Debates
• On invitation as expert on various topics
• We refuse pro-con debates
• We refuse if we are to represent industry

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Lectures Debates

• Dont be too scientific
• Start from real life issues, general topics,
  examples, include your science
• Dont be afraid to take a stand
• Dont do it for free
• Explain who you are explain what it means to
  be scientist
• Talk about other fields
• Get young scientists involved get organized
• Train yourself in talking to laymen

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Press and Media

• Why?
• Increase positive news about life science
• PR for institute
• PR for scientists (politics, money, students, )
• At least one press release a month
• Mostly on science breakthrougs
• Press conference only on special occasions
• Royal visits, international conference
• Not too often

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Press and Media

• Media?
• Quality newspapers
• Some have a science section
• News (radio TV)
• Background (radio TV)
• (Science programs)
• Journalists?
• National press
• Database of contacts
• International press
• http//www.alphagalileo.org/
• http//www.eurekalert.org/

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Press and Media

• Scientists signal to us their papers in press
• High impact papers
• High societal impact paper
• Process for writing a press release
• Input from scientist (paper, additional info)
• Prepare a draft press release
• Ok from scientist
• Emailing to national press and web-posting
  internationally
• Contact with press via us
• Try to inform scientists on how to interact with
  press
• Document available

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Press and Media

• Press releases in September
• 21/09/2004 (pdf - 119 Kb)Poplar DNA code
  cracked - a step in combating global
  warming?20/09/2004 (pdf - 124 Kb)Prince Filip
  and Princess Mathilde visit Ghent
  biotechnologists14/09/2004 (pdf - 113
  Kb)Genetically modified bacterium as remedy for
  intestinal diseases10/09/2004 (pdf - 106
  Kb)TANGO - towards faster prognosis of
  Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases?

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Press and Media

• Only send out a press release if you have news
• Interesting for the public at large
• Send press release out under embargo
• Prior to publication date of your paper
• Dont be negative
• Journalists are not out there to kill you
• Dont dwell on the negative image of plant
  biotech

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• Train to give TV or radio interviews
• Have someone there with you
• Start over anytime

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Education
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Education

• Target group
• Pupils 14
• Teachers
• Teacher committee
• To evaluate VIB initiatives, to identify needs,
  dialogue,
• Different levels easy to moderate access for
  teachers
• Leaflets, books, cd-roms
• Mobile kits
• Experiment leaflets
• School projects

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Easy Access

• Information on genetics, biotechnology,
• Booklet with cd-rom
• Interactive cd-rom

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Easy Access

• Mobile Biotech Kit (DNA electrophoresis)
• 4 Finpipettes
• 2 Mupids gel electrophoresis
• DNA samples loading buffer
• Agarose TBE buffer
• DNA coloring (Azurin blue)

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Moderate to Difficult AccessSchool Projects
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• US
• Niekamp farm, Illinois (soybeans, corn, wheat)
• Tony Anderson, Ohio (soybeans, corn, wheat)
• Curt Oldfield, Illinois (soybeans, corn, wheat)
• Kim Rentz,Texas (peanuts, sweet corn, cotton)
• Don Cameron, California (vegetables, cotton,
  fruits,)
• Canada
• Jeff Wilson, Ontario (potatoes,
• cabbages, corn, )
• Sid Gordon, Manitoba (canola,
• wheat, peas, barley, )
• South Africa
• Hennie Du Plessis (researcher)
• Lefras Oliver (potatoes)

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A VIB School Project

• Aim
• Get more familiar with biosciences
• Influence career choice
• Reach many pupils
• Approach?
• Combination of hands-on and a competition
• Motivation!
• Direct contact between pupils and biotech
  scientists
• Perform experiments in the lab
• 1 day in lab
• Small groups (15 pupils teacher)

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A VIB School Project

• Approach?
• Produce a written end work (specific criteria)
• Seek additional information
• The scientist involved
• Collaegue European scientists
• Why is S_at_W so successful?
• Fits in curriculum
• No extra work load for the teacher
• Contest (motivation for youngsters)
• Hands-on experience in a real lab

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A VIB School Project

• Final happening (Aula, University of Ghent)
• 21 April, 2004
• The 10 laureates present their work during a
  seminar
• Poster session
• Oral presentation in auditorium

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Prizes

• First prize
• 5-days Ireland (visit research facillities APC)
• Life, a Nobel Story
• Second prize
• 2 days Belgium
• Thrid prize
• CD-coupons
• All participants
• Backpack

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A VIB School Project

• Schools very interested
• 845 pupils (we couldnt accommodate them all)
• 79 groups from 54 schools
• All Flemish provinces presented
• Scientists very enthusiast, want more
  involvement
• 37 biotech scientists
• VIB departments, university labs, colleges,
  biotech companies
• Host first prize wants more involvement

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A VIB School Project

• 2004 - 2005
• gt 2000 pupils
• 193 groups
• Looking for additional projects
• Internationalize
• European collaborations
• EMBL
• ECOD
• Global collaborations
• South Africa, Canada, US

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European Collaborations
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ECOD-BIO Project

• Effective Communication and Dissemination of
  Bioscience Information in Europe
• Accompanying measure to the program Quality of
  Life and Management of Living Resources, within
  the 5th Framework Program, funded by the EC (2002
  2005)

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ECOD-BIO Project

• ECOD-BIO is a strategic initiative to improve
  communication and knowledge about biosciences in
  Europe.
• ECOD-BIO is establishing an active network of
  bioscience information practitioners
• Bringing together first-hand experience on the
  effectiveness of bioscience communication
  strategies.
• Cataloguing best practices structured by target
  groups and topics

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ECOD-BIO Project

• ECOD-BIO will establish and constantly update a
  high-standard web platform
• Bioscience information materials
• Links for all levels of scientific knowledge
• A library of bioscience graphics to be downloaded
  free of charge
• ECOD-BIO aims to raise awareness on biosciences
• ECOD-BIO aims to enthuse the younger generation
  for natural sciences
• School project competitions on biosciences

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ECOD-BIO Project

• Website Picture pool
• www.ecod-bio.org/
• Intranet
• www.intranet.ecod-bio.org/
• Workshops
• Introductory workshop
• Prague, 2002
• Agriculture and food
• Ghent, 2004
• Human health and medicines
• Padova, 2005

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Partners

• Barbara Streicherdialog ltgt gentechnik, Austria
• Ann van Gysel, Sooike Stoops VIB, Belgium
• Karsten Schürrle, Rüdiger Marquardt, Fritzi Maike
  BrückDECHEMA Informationssekretariat
  Biotechnologie, Germany
• Francoise Bieri ICS, Switzerland

• Jaroslav Drobnik, Helena StepánkováBiotrin,
  Tschec Republic
• Andreas JungbluthBioGeneCommunications, Germany
• Giancarlo Vecchio, Arianna Greco, Tiziana
  PedrucciIstituto Superiore di Oncologia, Italy
• Atanas Atanassov, Nevena AlexandrovaAgroBioInsti
  tute, Bulgary

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Workshop Agri Food

• Provide a discussion platform to exchange
  experiences and recommendations on bioscience
  communication
• Two-way communication between
• Those interested in (obliged to) communication
• The public/divided into target groups

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Two-way Communication

• Within ECOD-BIO, 5 target groups had been
  identified
• Schools (teachers and students)
• 2 International schools
• Media
• Science journalists
• Policy makers advisors
• EU officials
• General public
• VIWTA (consumers)
• Professionals (scientists, farmers, )
• scientists

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Communications Office

• Biosciences
• Sooike Stoops
• Science communicator
• René Custers
• Regulatory affairs manager
• Ann Van Gysel
• Communications manager
• Adminstative Logistics
• Katrien Coucke
• Inge Geysen
• Jonas De Backer
• Nathalie Strybol

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• For more information
• ann.vangysel_at_vib.be
• www.vib.be