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Deliverable 5.3 presents a step-by-step approach to initiate and undertake an outreach event that promotes Instruct-ERIC services to life science SMEs. A pilot networking event hosted in the UK demonstrates the efficacy of a targeted campaign in establishing new contacts in industry and generating industrial users for Instruct Centres. Furthermore, the campaign highlights the importance of connecting with established industry networks in order to reach a broader and more receptive audience. A list of external, industry events attended by Instruct is also presented, and Instruct representatives are encouraged to pursue initiatives to engage with industry.

The Strategic Outreach Plan outlines key aims for Instruct to maintain and strengthen its position in the European Research Infrastructure (RI) landscape. Looking to the long-term sustainability of Instruct, the Plan sets out objectives in core areas of RI activity, for the delivery of technical innovations, training and collaborations with both academia and industry, supporting the goals of the European Research Area. The Plan will form part of a five-yearly review process within Instruct-ERIC.

Workflows have been developed for the expression of integral membrane proteins (IMPs) in three different contexts: mammalian IMPs in human embryonic kidney cell s (expi293F™); mammalian IMPs in Trichoplusia nicells (High Five™) insect cells; and bacterial IMPs expressed in E. coli. Two common features of the workflows were cost-effective testing for expression in small culture volumes (1- 15 ml) and fusion to a fluorescent reporter protein (GFP or mCherry) to analyse expression and/or detergent solubilisation. The protocols developed for the expression of membrane proteins in human and insect cells were compared by analysing the same six targets, selected from different subcellular locations (plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, and Golgi apparatus membrane). The six targets were transiently transfected at small-scale into either expi293F™ or Hi5 High Five™ cells and analysis of fluorescence showed that all were expressed, though differences in the levels of protein produced were observed between the two expression cell systems. Work is on-going to purify proteins from both expression systems for subsequent structural studies by cryo-EM. The protocol for the production of bacterial membrane proteins in E. coli was exemplified by the analysis of two enzyme families from mycobacteria involved in cell wall synthesis (Arabinosyltransferase and Arabinofuranosyltransferase). The results demonstrated the critical importance of selecting homologues from multiple species and screening these for expression in parallel at small scale. Approximately 50 % of the cloned genes were expressed and from these, eight proteins were purified and structural studies initiated by cryo-electron microscopy.

Instruct-ERIC engages with a variety of stakeholders in order to increase awareness and understanding of its important role in the Research Infrastructure landscape and its impact in advancing life science research. Early in the project, Instruct-ULTRA set out an ambitious plan for dissemination and outreach to all of Instruct’s key stakeholders(D1.4).Through the combined effort of its partners, Instruct-ULTRA has hosted or otherwise participated in excess of55 events during RP2,and plans are already in place for participation in at least 25 events during RP3.Stakeholder engagement is, and will continue to be crucial for the long-term sustainability of Instruct-ERIC.

Deliverable 5.3 presents a step-by-step approach to initiate and undertake an outreach event that promotes Instruct-ERIC services to life science SMEs. A pilot networking event hosted in the UK demonstrates the efficacy of a targeted campaign in establishing new contacts in industry and generating industrial users for Instruct Centres. Furthermore, the campaign highlights the importance of connecting with established industry networks in order to reach a broader and more receptive audience. A list of external, industry events attended by Instruct is also presented, and Instruct representatives are encouraged to pursue initiatives to engage with industry.

A plan has been developed to promote Instruct-ERIC services to non-structural biologists in the life sciences. During 2018, scientific sessions were hosted at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum and the Federation of European Biochemistry Societies(FEBS) Congress, as a pilot study for future activities. A literature review highlighted particular life science fields where structural biology techniques have particular relevance but are currently underexploited. These fields will be targeted for promotional activities. Following the success of the FENS and FEBS events, and learning from these experiences, a conference schedule has been created for 2019, and potential partnering research infrastructures have been identified. The use of targeted social media, sponsorship opportunities and open calls for research proposals are considered. The Instruct-ERIC website has been significantly tailored to attract and meet the needs of life scientists without a background in structural biology, and an online information pack has been developed for Instruct-ERIC members to use to promote services to new communities.

Aspotlightmeeting to discuss expanding Instruct membership and international partnerships was held on 8thMarch in Oxford as part of the GeneralAssemblyMeeting of Instruct-ULTRA.Two external speakers gave presentations on the structural biology communities in Austria and Brazil respectively, as case studies ofpotential new membership/partnership countries. Thisreport from the meeting forms the basis of Deliverable 3.3and setsoutthe next steps forexpandingInstruct-ERICmembership in Europe and developing partnershipsoutside of Europe.&nbsp

The objective of this deliverable was to review the composition of Instruct’s infrastructure facilities to take account of advances newly available in structural biology research.

Work package 4 comprisestwo calls for proposals from the beneficiary partners to contribute to either Task 4.1introducing new services orTask 4.2.providingaccess to new communities.Each partner has been allocatedpersonnel resourcesand joint proposals from partnershave beenencouraged in order to effectivelyresource projects.Partners were asked for expressions of interest for Call 1 projects in May 2017 and the terms of reference of the project call discussed and agreed at the Instruct-ULTRAGeneral Assembly on24thMay, held in Brno.Joint proposal discussions were initiated in Q2 2017 and collaborative negotiations followed duringthe drafting stages.Formal applications to Call 1wereopened via the Instruct website and the closing date for submissionswasthe 9thSeptember 2017. Review of proposals bythree members oftheInstruct-ULTRAScientific Advisory Boardwill be handledviaemailand,on the basis of feedback,projectswill beselectedby the Executive Boardduring Q42017.Projects are expected to start in January 2018 and run for up to two years.&nbsp

The Instruct-ULTRA dissemination, outreach and exploitation plan sets outa formal communications strategy that defines the scale and direction of Instruct-ERIC’s engagement activities with user groups, industry, policy-makers, funders and industry. A stakeholder analysis has been carried out to guide where the effort should be invested to achieve the most useful outcomes and an implementation plan formulated. Part of the plan will be to promote the activities of Instruct-ULTRA which underpin the communications strategy of Instruct-ERIC. Key to the communications tools are the website, videos, and representation through publications, conferences and events. Exploitation requires careful measures by Instruct-ERIC members. The plan runs for 24 months and includes regular evaluation and monitoring.

Social promotion is accomplishing what it was intended to do; it is relieving the various grades of over-age, floundering students. If we are to help these potential failures, we must devise new educational systems. (Editor)