Policies

CRG Strategic Plan 2021-2024 
HR Excellence in Research - HRS4R
Conflict of Interest Policy
Institutional Statement on the Use of Research Animals
CRG Support to Wellcome Trust Statement on Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes

CRG Strategic Plan 2021-2024: Quantitative Biology

Preamble 
A paradigm shift is occurring in biomedical sciences, whereby living systems are becoming amenable to quantitative description, with profound consequences for our ability to predict biological phenomena and for manipulating the regulatory networks that sustain them and that become altered in disease. Embracing this new paradigm is a challenge but also offers important opportunities. The CRG has the flexibility to incorporate new technologies and concepts through its faculty turnover, and has a distinct expertise in computational and systems biology, combining experimental and in silico approaches, as well as groups working on human diseases with strong collaborations with clinicians. The centre also offers unique opportunities to establish strategic alliances and partnerships locally and worldwide. 

Our new Strategic Plan emerges from the perceived need to leverage our strengths to capture the opportunity to take a leading position in the implementation of quantitative approaches to fundamental problems in genomics, gene regulation, cellular and tissue organization and their pathological alterations leading to disease.

Vision 
Our vision for the next years is that the CRG becomes a major contributor to the historical paradigm shift of converting biomedical research from a descriptive discipline into a quantitative, predictive, actionable science. While continuing nurturing a stimulating environment and cutting-edge technologies to conduct innovative fundamental research, we will develop/implement novel quantitative and computational approaches to address challenging questions in biology, therefore becoming an international reference in genomics and its applications to biomedicine and biotechnology. 

Download and read the executive summary

HR Excellence in Research

On the 19th of November of 2013, the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the 'HR Excellence in Research' logo from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the institute's commitment in developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

A “Recruitment Policy” was designed stating the principles that have been followed according to the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for Recruitment, and the different phases of the selection processes. The policy sets out the criteria and procedures for Open, Transparent and Merit-based recruitment of researchers. It also takes into account of current legislation relating to employment, the LIBRA recruitment guidelines to hire without bias, equality in a more broad sense and diversity and data protection.

Click here to download this Policy

CRG Conflict of Interest Policy

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CRG Institutional Statement on the Use of Research Animals

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) joined the Agreement on Openness on Animal Research, promoted by the Federation of Scientific Societies in Spain (COSCE) with the collaboration of the European Association of Research Animals (EARA), and launched on September 20th 2016.

Scientists at the CRG study fundamental biological processes in our genes, cells, tissues and organs. The use of animal models in our research is essential to advance the knowledge about mechanisms of health and disease. This knowledge will lead to treatments and cures otherwise not possible.

CRG scientists only use animals when necessary for developing their research projects, and always consider alternatives to animal research, such as cell culture, simple organisms, computer modelling or human samples.

The highest standards in animal welfare are of paramount relevance for the CRG scientists since it is necessary for research excellence, as is the compliance and respect to the legislation on the protection of animals. All experimental protocols have to be approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Experimentation of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park.

The CRG also ensures that the personnel involved in animal care and researchers have the highest level of education, training and professional skills for animal research, while the PRBB Animal Facility guarantees the best facilities, husbandry, wellbeing and veterinary care.

Infographic on the 4 commitmments of the Agreement on Openness on Animal Research
 

ARRIVE and PREPARE guidelines

The CRG promotes the use of the following guidelines amongst its research community:

• The ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments), which are a checklist of recommendations to improve the reporting of research involving animals - maximising the quality and reliability of published research, and enabling others to better scrutinise, evaluate and reproduce it.
• The PREPARE guidelines (Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence). As part of the ongoing efforts to reduce waste, promote animal alternatives (all the three Rs), and increase the reproducibility of research and testing, a group of experts from the UK and Norway, led by Norecopa, has produced the PREPARE guidelines for planning experiments.

CRG Support to Wellcome Trust Statement on Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is a signatory of the Wellcome Trust Statement that was released on 4th March 2015 supporting European Directive 2010/63/EU (“Directive”) on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The Statement calls on the European Parliament and Commission to reaffirm their commitment to the Directive, which is considered vital to ensure that necessary research involving animals can continue whilst requiring enhanced animal welfare standards.

A summary of the Wellcome Trust Statement says: “The use of animals in research has facilitated major breakthroughs in medicine which have transformed human and animal health. We support research using animals where alternative methods are not available, where the potential benefits to health are compelling, and where acceptable ethical and welfare standards can be met. The Directive has enhanced animal welfare standards and introduced the concepts of refinement, replacement and reduction (‘3Rs’) across the EU, while ensuring Europe remains a world leader in biomedical research. (…) Repealing the Directive would represent a major step backwards both for animal welfare in the EU and for Europe’s leading role in advancing human and animal health.”

Institutions around Europe have endorsed this initiative. More information can be found at the Wellcome Trust.