Objective
BIG4 is a global network to amalgamate the cutting edge methods of genomics, phylogenetics, informatics, taxonomy, semantic biodiversity publishing and citizen science, into highly competitive cross-disciplinary training programme for 15 ESRs with a stronghold in biosystematics. These 15 future leaders will extend the exploration of the four biggest groups of living organisms in a more forward looking way than has been attempted before. The urgent focus on the “big four” insect groups, i.e. Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (wasps, ants and bees), Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is justified by the super abundance of this form of Life, and by the growing need by science and society to make better use of the enormous potential hidden in their biological diversity. BIG4 aims [1] to gain a robust systematic knowledge that explains the evolutionary origin, diversification, past and present distributions of living organisms, [2] to model their future dispersal and [3] to predict the traits of species that are yet unknown. Additionally, BIG4 strives for [4] implementing organismal features into engineering, medicine, agricultural or environmental solutions, the insect flight mechanics and more effective pollination to mention just a few. Such knowledge is in a particularly high demand in respect of the four biggest insects groups comprising the most important model organisms, the most dangerous pests or disease vectors, the most abundant invasive species and the most fragile entire species communities undergoing extinction due to habitat destruction. By integrating academia with the business and public sectors, BIG4 will greatly increase services and beneficial products provided by the biosystematics as a science. BIG4 will place insect mega-diversity as a powerful service for economic and societal needs such as environmental monitoring, biological control, biomedicine, or ecological farming.
Fields of science
Not validated
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinator
1165 Kobenhavn
Denmark
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Participants (11)
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20014 Turku
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07743 JENA
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53113 Bonn
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1010 Wien
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1111 Sofia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
18100 Armilla
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
116 36 Praha 1
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SE 114 18 Stockholm
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111 29 STOCKHOLM
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118 63 STOCKHOLM
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
22100 Lund
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Partners (11)
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110 00 PRAHA
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3080 Tervuren
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1010 Wien
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100101 Beijing
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305 8577 Tsukuba Ibaraki
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2052 Sydney
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NSW 2010 Sydney
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7640 LINCOLN
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66045 7568 Lawrence Ks
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
3007 BERN
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
00014 HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
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