Case studies
Case study 1
Foresight Detection and identification of infectious diseases project
Ten science areas were selected following consultation with some 40 experts, workshops and meetings. Each addresses an area of basic or applied research, relevant to the detection, identification and monitoring of infectious diseases. Further, the ten areas have an intentional degree of association, which led to a portfolio of technological ideas. These were explored in a later workshop to produce four user challenges. The timeframe considered was 20 years.
‘If I could remember the names of all these particles I’d be a botanist.’
Enrico Fermi, physicist
The ten areas selected were:
- Intelligent sensor networks
- Data mining and fusion
- Non-invasive scanning and screening
- Genomics and bioinformatics
- Biosensors/biomarkers
- Interrogation of natural signals/biomarkers
- Predictive and real-time epidemiological modelling
- Earth observation
- Host genetics and engineering
- Immunological techniques/responses
The four user challenges were:
- Advanced data collection, fusion and processing techniques
- Genomics and post-genomics to rapidly characterise new diseases
- Point-of-care, hand-held diagnostic devices
- Fast-throughput screening devices at ports and airports
Case study 2
Foresight Brain science, addiction and drugs project
Two workshops were held, involving over 40 scientists and representatives from policymaking, research funding and healthcare. These workshops were used to consider project scope, explore trends and capabilities and to suggest key areas of science to write reviews. The reviews were limited to 10,000-12,000 words and would set out current and future science capabilities. The timeframe was 20 years.
The fifteen areas selected were:
- Problem gambling and other behavioural addictions
- Psychological treatments of substance misuse and dependence
- Cognition enhancers
- Drug testing
- Economics of addiction and drugs
- Ethical aspects of developments in neuroscience and drug addiction
- Experimental psychology and research into brain science, addiction and drugs
- Genomics
- History and future of psychoactive substances
- Neuroimaging
- Life histories and narratives of addiction
- Neuroscience of drugs and addiction
- Pharmacology and treatments
- Social policy and psychoactive substances
- Sociology and substance use
Case study 3
Foresight Tackling obesities – Future choices project
Obesity reviews, the complete State of Science reviews for the Foresight Tackling obesities: Future choices project, are available as a free download from Blackwell Synergy.
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