The Alliance
of University and Non-University Biodiversity Research in Germany
Since 2018, the Alliance of University and Non-University Biodiversity Research in Germany serves as a platform for the German academic biodiversity community and regularly publishes jointly developed positions and solutions. The Alliance is a point of contact for stakeholders from politics, administration and civil society. It has been driving forward key issues in biodiversity research, such as the handling of Digital Sequence Information – DSI.
Who We Are
The alliance comprises the majority of biodiversity researchers active in Germany
In particular:
- The German Life Science Association (VBIO e.V.) with 25 specialist societies and 20,000 association members
- The German Scientific Research Collections Consortium (DNFS) with 50 museums
- The Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity (Leibniz Biodiversity) with 19 research institutes
- Four consortia of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) with around 120 partner institutes.
What is DSI?
“Digital sequence information” (DSI) is an artificial umbrella term shaped by politics and international negotiations that lacks both a unified scientific and legal definition. In broad terms, DSI encompass for different categories of molecular genetic data and derived information on the structure, composition, and interaction of biological molecules (e.g., proteins). These data are generated and used in numerous disciplines within the biological, life, and human sciences, as well as agriculture and pharmaceutical. Its analysis not only significantly contributes to our understanding of the molecular basis of living organisms and the origin of life, but is also crucial for innovations in biodiversity research and conservation, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
How should DSI be handled?
Open, free and unrestricted access to DSI must be maintained. The possible regulation of access to DSI is still being discussed internationally. From a scientific perspective, the design of a mechanism for benefit sharing that is mandatory, practicable and open for all users is essential. The mechanism must function independently of national legislation.
How We Contribute
The alliance has been organising expert discussions since 2018 and has also launched the German Nagoya Protocol assistance and counselling project, which is a contact point for the academic community on ABS issues.
The alliance partners have been involved in access and benefit sharing (ABS) for years.
We also follow the international CBD negotiation process (Convention on Biological Diversity) and support it with statements and peer reviews.
Our partnership is guided by the framework provided by the CBD but focuses its activities primarily on Germany.
We advocate for a free, fair and open access to DSI and a decoupled benefit-sharing within the framework of a multilateral mechanism.
The coordination of the alliance is based at the Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science (MfN).
Become a contributor
Products
White Paper
2026
A pragmatic conceptual approach for one, interoperable DSI
ecosystem that is applicable across different UN fora and preserves
the strength of free, open and unrestricted DSI data
Alliance of University and NonUniversity Biodiversity Research in Germany.
Berlin. 7 pages.
SUBMISSION
2026
The Alliance jointly with CETAF
Submission to the “evaluation of the EU ABS Regulation (EU) No 511/2014, the use of genetic resources and the sharing of benefits arising from their use – evaluation of EU rules”.
Berlin. 2 pages.
2025
DSI-Datenbanken Impulsvortrag
Gatersleben. 24 pages.
SUBMISSION
2025
The Alliance jointly with CETAF MNHN SPNHC
Submission on CBD Notification 2024-115
Berlin. 1 page.
SUBMISSION
2024
The Alliance jointly with CETAF, CRBIO, EPSO, ERGA, MNHN, SPNHC
Submission on CBD Notification 2024-114
Berlin. 5 pages.
2024
Maintain open, free and fair access to DSI to harness technological innovation for new solutions to global challenges
Alliance of University and NonUniversity Biodiversity Research in Germany
Berlin. 3 pages.
SUBMISSION
2023
Submission of views on issues for further consideration for digital sequence information on genetic resources
The Leibniz Biodiversity Research Network (Leibniz Biodiversity), the German Life Science Association (VBIO e.V.), the German Scientific Research Collections Consortium (DNFS) and four consortia of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI)
Berlin. 6 pages.
SUBMISSION
2021
Joint submission of views on document CBD/WG2020/3/4 “Digital sequence information on genetic resources”
The German Scientific Research Collections Consortium (DNFS), the German Life Science Association (VBIO e.V.) and the Leibniz Biodiversity Research Network (Leibniz Biodiversity)
Berlin, München, Braunschweig. 17 pages.
The Alliance
of University and Non-University Biodiversity Research in Germany
BÜNDNIS DER UNIVERSITÄREN UND AUSSERUNIVERSITÄREN BIODIVERSITÄTSFORSCHUNG DEUTSCHLANDS
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