20. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 70/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development 
programme in the field of biotechnology (1990 to 1994) — Biotechnology research for innovation, 
development and growth in Europe (BRIDGE) 
COM(88) 806 final — SYN 182 
(Submitted by the Commission on 5 January 1989) 
(89/C 70/01) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130Q (2) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social 
Committee, 
Whereas Article 130K of the Treaty stipulates that the 
framework programme shall be implemented through 
specific programmes developed within each activity; 
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom/EEC 0), the 
Council has adopted a framework programme of Com­
munity research and technological development (1987 to 
1991), providing inter alia for activities ensuring the 
exploitation and optimum use of biological resources; 
Whereas, for the selection of Community actions, the 
framework programme sets out criteria among which is 
that of contributing to the strengthening of economic and 
social cohesion of the Community consistent with the 
pursuit of scientific and technical quality; 
Whereas the activities provided for in the framework 
programme include, in particular: 
— the establishment of Community R&D for contributing 
a transnational dimension to national efforts and for 
facilitating technology transfer towards industry and 
agriculture in the areas of infrastructures, basic 
biotechnology and risk analysis, 
(!) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1. — the continuous evaluation of the strategic significance of 
new developments in biotechnology and promotion of 
the essential coherence between the different areas of 
Community policy concerned with biotechnology; 
Whereas the multiannual research and training programme 
for the European Economic Community in the field of 
biomolecular engineering (2) and the ongoing multiannual 
research action programme for the European Economic 
Community in the field of biotechnology (1985 to 1989) (3) 
(4) have clearly demonstrated the utility of Community 
actions in biotechnology and the need for their expansion; 
Whereas the participation of European non-Member States 
wholly or partially with projects in this programme is 
desirable; 
Whereas it is desirable to involve small and medium-sized 
enterprises to the maximum extent possible in the 
biotechnology research and development programme; 
Whereas the implementation of research and training 
actions in the COST framework is an essential element to 
complement R&D projects in the field of biotechnology; 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Committee (Crest) 
has been consulted, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
A specific research and technological development pro­
gramme for the European Economic Community in the 
field of biotechnology, as defined in the Annex, is hereby 
adopted for a period of five years, from 1 January 1990. 
(2) OJ No L 375, 20. 12. 1981, p. 1. 
(3) OJ NoL 83, 23.3. 1985, p. 1. 
(4) OJ No L 206, 30. 7. 1988, p. 38. 
No C 70/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 3. 89 
Article 2. 
The amount deemed necessary for the execution of the 
programme is 100 million ECU, including expenditure on a 
staff of 30. 
Article 3 
Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme 
and the rate of the Community's financial participation are 
set out in the Annex. 
The contracts entered into by the Commission shall 
regulate the rights and obligations of each party, in 
particular the methods of disseminating, protecting and 
exploiting the research results. 
Article 4 
In the third year of implementation of the programme, the 
Commission shall review it and shall report to the Council 
and to the European Parliament on the results thereof, 
together, if necessary, with any proposals for modification 
or prolongation. 
An evaluation of the results achieved shall be conducted by 
the Commission, which shall report thereon to the Council 
and the Parliament. 
The abovementioned reports shall be established having 
regard to the objectives set out in the Annex to this Decision 
and in conformity with the provisions of Article 2(2) of 
Decision 87/516/Euratom/EEC. 
Article '5 
The Commission shall be responsible for implementing the 
programme. 
The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee of an 
advisory nature, hereinafter referred to as 'the Committee', composed of the representatives of the Member States and 
chaired by the representative of the Commission. 
Article 6 
The Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of 
the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its 
opinion within a time limit which the Chairman may lay 
down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary 
by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes of the 
Committee; in addition, each Member State shall have the 
right to have its position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the 
opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the 
Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. 
Article 7 
The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate, in 
accordance with Article 130N of the Treaty, agreements 
with non-member States and international organisations, 
in particular with those countries participating in European 
cooperation in the field of scientific and technological 
research (COST), and those having concluded framework 
agreements in scientific and technical cooperation with the 
Community with a view to associating them wholly or 
partly in concerted actions within this programme. 
Where framework agreements for scientific and technical 
cooperation between non-member States and the European 
Communities have been concluded, organisations and 
enterprises established in those countries may participate in 
a project undertaken within this programme. 
Article 8 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
TECHNICAL ANNEX 
ACTION I: RESEARCH AND TRAINING 
CONTENT 
Information infrastructure 
1.1. Culture collections 
Development of a communication system for easy and rapid access to the most important service culture 
collections within the Community; to be achieved through support to: 
— a Promotion Centre for Culture Collections, specifically designed for providing to European users 
(distribution of catalogues, patent regulations, printed and visual material, etc.) adequate 
information on expertise and services available in different European Culture Collections; and 
20. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 70/3 
— a Centralized European Data Bank, primarily on micro-organisms and subsequently extended to 
other biotic materials (animal and plant cells, viruses, plasmids, etc.). The first phase towards this 
objective to involve the harmonisation of formats and data in the main service culture collections of 
the European Community. 
1.2. Processing and analysis of bio(techno)logical data 
— applications of information technology (specialised software and equipment) such as required for 
the implementation of the activities in protein engineering and gene sequencing (see also 2.1 and 2.3 
below); and 
— updating and design of knowledge bases for storing and classifying bio(techno)logical data such as 
sequences, genetic maps, protein and biopolymer structures, risk assessment data; and 
— exploitation of existing or newly developed information technology for rapid access to European 
knowledge bases and closed sequencing networks via an electronic network including electronic 
input, on-line catalogues, electronic ordering, etc. 
2. Enabling technologies 
2.1. Protein design!molecular modelling 
— multi-disciplinary approaches including genetic engineering and advanced structural methods 
aiming at improving the properties (such as stability, pH optimum, substrate specificity, etc.) of 
interesting proteins and their complexes (including glycoproteins); and 
— development of methods to understand and predict structure/function relationships of proteins, 
such as those involved in folding, stability, crystallisation, including theoretical methods for 
simulation of these properties, and their interactions with other related molecules. 
2.2. Biotransformation 
— development of biological reactions using new strains of cells or novel enzymes for synthesis of key 
intermediates needed for the production of high added value substances (particular attention to be 
given to the bioconversion of agricultural surpluses) and for converting pollutants to innocuous 
compounds; and 
— research addressing the problem of genetic and physiological stability of the free or immobilised 
genetically modified microbes or cells under biotransformation conditions; and 
— research addressing the problem of enzymatic activity under extreme environments (organic 
solvents, pHs, temperatures, immobilisation); and 
— development of methods for the isolation and purification of biotransformation products (up- and 
downstream processing); and 
— development of specialised software and mathematical modelling for the control and analysis of 
biotechnological processes. 
2.3. Gene mapping, genome sequencing, novel cloning methods 
— sequencing the genome of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or parts therof and of Bacillus subtilis; 
and 
— development of molecular genetic techniques to identify new meaningful plant genes, using the 
Arabidopsis genome as a resource; characterisation of the identified genes; and 
— development of advanced sequencing procedures and technology (see 1.2) and integration of these 
procedures and technology in the sequencing projects. 
3. Cellular biology 
3.1. Physiology and molecular genetics of industrial micro-organisms 
— gene stability and expression, post-translational processes, genetic and metabolic regulation of 
overproduction, transport and secretion. These studies, adapted in each case to the current state of 
the art, will concentrate on some industrially interesting micro-organisms such as the genera lactic 
No C 70/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 3. 89 
acid bacteria, Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, and including 
the larger groups of lactic acid bacteria, extremophiles, yeasts and filamentous fungi. 
3.2. Basic biology of plants and associated organisms 
— core processes for sexual breeding: mechanisms of flower initiation and evocation; differentiation of 
sex cells; molecular bases of gamete recognition and selection systems; and 
— fundamentals of plant cell regeneration: genetics and molecular biology of somatic and zygotic 
embryoge,nesis; perception and transduction of growth-promoting signals; and 
— molecular interfaces of plants and associated organisms: molecular bases of host-range and 
virulence; characterisation of plant defence reactions; development of genetic techniques for 
pathogenic fungi or mycorrhizae; regulation from plant/microbial signals of the expression of 
microbial/plant genes; structural and functional identification of genes involved in N2-fixing 
symbioses; and 
— physiological attributes of crops: storage processes; stress physiology; nitrogen use efficiency. 
3.3. Biotechnology of animal cells 
— animal cell engineering and culture technology leading to new or improved productions of important 
substances for industrial and zootechnical purposes; and 
— animal genetics: mapping and sequencing of important genes; methods of gene transfer; gene 
expression and regulation; and 
— animal husbandry: improved immunity through genetically engineered vaccines of second 
generation. 
4. Pre-normative Research 
Pre-normative Research in biotechnology places itself at both ends of the research-development-
exploitation chain. 
4.1. Safety assessments associated with the release of genetically engineered organisms 
— monitoring and control techniques: sampling and probes for engineered organisms and introduced 
segments of DNA; methods and instrumentation for high resolution automated microbial 
identification and the establishment of adequate data bases; creation of a bank of specific probes and 
chemical signatures for a large number of specific micro-organisms; eradication methods; and 
— assessment techniques: biological containment; gene stability and gene transfer; development of 
microcosms and simulating methods for impact analysis; and 
— acquisition of fundamental knowledge on gene behaviour (horizontal transfer between species, 
rearrangement of introduced genes in the host organism) and on the survival and adaptation of 
released organisms, in particular soil bacteria, and including modification of host range and tissue 
range for engineered viruses; and 
— novel constructions: biologically contained organisms; suicide vectors or constructions which can 
not develop outside the host organism; engineered organisms which can be destroyed in the 
environment by known and specific techniques. 
4.2. In vitro evaluation of the toxicity and pharmacological activity of molecules 
— development of cellular and multicellular systems as surrogates for in vivo tissues and organs; and 
— research addressing the problems of preparation, storage maintenance and growth of human cell 
cultures; and 
— development of cell lines in which functional properties are better preserved. 
IMPLEMENTATION 
Training actions shall be implemented through training contracts and courses for any of the themes 
defined above. The cost of these actions shall be borne by the Community. 
20. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 70/5 
Research actions are to be implemented through cost-shared research contracts for each of the themes 
defined above. The Community financial contribution shall not normally exceed 50 % of total 
allowable projects costs. Alternatively, in respect of universities and similar institutes of higher 
education, the Community financial contribution shall normally be 100 % of the marginal costs. 
Two types of transnational research projects are foreseen: 
— N projects, for the integration in adapted Community structures (European Laboratories Without 
Walls: ELWW) of research efforts in areas where the main bottlenecks result from gaps in basic 
knowledge. The contribution of the Community in such projects shall not exceed ECU 400 000 per 
year per project, and 
— T projects, for the removal, through a significant investment of skills and resources, of important 
bottlenecks resulting from structural and scale constraints; the contribution of the Community in 
such projects may vary from one to three million ECU per year per project. 
Cost activities (category II) associated to Action I 
CONTENT 
— Marine primary biomass 
— In vitro-cuhmes for the purification and propagation of plants 
— Methods for early detection and identification of plant diseases 
— Vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae 
— Development of vaccines against coccidiosis. 
IMPLEMENTATION 
Implementation shall take place through the organisation of meetings, consultation of experts, 
publications, exchange of research workers between laboratories, and coordination contracts. 
ACTION II: CONCERTATION 
CONTENT 
In conjunction with the relevant Commission services and the Member States, the following tasks will be 
executed: 
— monitoring developments in biotechnology, particularly in the field of R&D, assessing their 
implications, and hence informing services of the Commission and interested public authorities 
having related responsibilities, 
— identifying possible ways in which the contextual conditions for the beneficial development of 
biotechnology in Europe may be improved, and the effectiveness and coherence of Member State and 
Community biotechnology programmes and related policies enhanced; including those involving 
international collaboration, 
— disseminating knowledge and helping to increase public awareness and understanding of the nature, 
potential, and possible risks associated with biotechnology, 
— identifying the need for, and helping to promote greater activity in the biotechnology small firm 
sector in the Community. 
IMPLEMENTATION 
The action will continue to develop the work (begun under BAP) of ad hoc collaboration between 
groups and individuals with interests and capabilities in the life sciences and biotechnology, so creating 
networks, as informal and flexible as possible, adapted to the needs of encouraging coordination 
through the exchange of information between the participants, and assisting the broader diffusion of 
information required by the above tasks. 
Specifically, the work will involve in-house analysis, the setting-up and the exploitation of an organised 
information base, and missions. It will also include as necessary the commissioning of study reports, the 
organisation of workshops and meetings, and support for the production of reports and diffusion of 
information.