This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101131669.
INFRAPLUS Open Calls attract strong international response
December 18, 2025
The INFRAPLUS project, a Horizon Europe initiative coordinated by INFRAFRONTIER ERIC, has successfully concluded its first two open calls, attracting significant interest from the global biomedical research community. The calls offered free access to specialised mouse model and cell-based services that support high-quality, reproducible research while advancing the 3Rs principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement.
Robust demand for Genetic Validation Services
The first open call focused on strengthening the reliability of genetically altered mouse models through two expert services: the Comprehensive Genomic Validation Service and the mRNA Expression Validation Service.
Researchers responded enthusiastically, submitting 55 service requests. Applications came from institutions across Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United States, reflecting widespread international trust in INFRAPLUS’s capabilities. These services provide essential quality checks on genetic backgrounds, targeted alleles, and transcriptional outcomes, helping researchers verify the integrity of their models and improve the reproducibility of preclinical studies.
Figure 1: Mirror chart of demand per countries
Strong international interest in Mouse Embryo and Stem Cell Services
The second open call invited researchers to access two advanced cell-based services: Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) Isolation and Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell (mESC) Derivation. These services enable the creation and provision of mutant cellular models that can complement or, when appropriate, replace in vivo studies.
The call received 19 requests for MEFs isolation and 16 requests for mESC derivation. Applicants represented a similarly broad geographic range, including Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.
Delivered by expert INFRAPLUS partner facilities, these services provide researchers with high-quality cellular materials derived from their established mouse lines, supporting innovation in functional genomics and reducing reliance on animal experimentation.
Figure 2: Mirror chart of demand per countries
A milestone for the INFRAPLUS mission
Together, the two open calls generated 90 service requests from across Europe and beyond, an achievement that highlights the scientific community’s strong need for accessible, high-quality genetic and cellular resources.
By offering these services free of charge under Horizon Europe, INFRAPLUS is expanding equitable access to state-of-the-art infrastructures, strengthening research excellence, and accelerating the development of reliable disease models.
As the project continues to roll out new access opportunities, the success of these calls marks an important milestone in INFRAPLUS’s effort to empower researchers and enhance the quality and impact of biomedical research across borders.
