Challenge

Europe faces a fragmented genomic landscape: despite the rapid progress in genomics, a huge number of data remains trapped within national borders due to differing legal systems and privacy concerns. These barriers prevent researchers and clinicians from fully harnessing the power of genomic information for personalised medicine. This, in turn, limits scientific discovery, innovation in treatments, and timely clinical decisions across Europe.  Harmonizing these infrastructures is essential for enabling multinational studies and delivering precision healthcare across the EU.

Solutions

The Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI) project is building a federated network across 22 countries, connecting national genome collections and relevant health data. By setting up interoperable systems and harmonising legal, ethical, and technical standards, GDI facilitates secure, cross-border access to sensitive genomic data. The project also supports the 1+ Million Genomes Initiative, aiming to make over one million genome sequences available for research and clinical use. This opens new possibilities for predictive, preventive, and personalised healthcare solutions.

Results

Through its secure infrastructure, GDI enables clinicians, researchers, and innovators to work with an unprecedented scale of genomic data. This will accelerate diagnostics, improve treatment options, and strengthen Europe’s position in the global field of precision medicine. The project also empowers national healthcare systems by fostering collaboration and ensuring that innovations in genomics benefit all European citizens, not just those in countries with more advanced digital health systems.