New concepts must be incorporated into the biology curriculum although biological studies imply we keep a broad scientific base. New discoveries imply a tendency for polarisation between molecular biology, the ecological sciences and organism biology although a biologist has to understand the whole of biology to master his research. Transversal networks are ideal meeting places for a common discipline but with many subdisciplines as in biology, there tends only to be meeting places within scientific associations but no meeting places transdisciplinary. Topic oriented networks have, in contrast, the advantage of being more research oriented and are easily able to provide intensive courses. Co-ordination has to occur not only at national but also at international level.
Networks can share common practices, materials and experience, so avoiding duplication of effort.