EMERG
Background
The idea behind EMERG was formed in 2015 from an initiative by UK charity Invest in ME Research.
The European ME Alliance (EMEA) has also supported EMERG.
EMERG was intended to create a vision of collaborative research in Europe in order to increase biomedical research
into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
It brought together the foremost European ME researchers, and others, in order to establish an understanding of
the Aetiology, Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of ME.
Representatives from the major European countries conducting biomedical research into ME were invited to the reformed EMERG in London in 2019.
EMERG formed a steering group and working groups have been set up to look into different areas.
EMERG, with clinicians in the European ME Clinicians Council (EMECC) and with European ME patient groups within the
European ME Alliance (EMEA)
provides a powerful combination of campaigning, raising of awareness, building new research and accumulation of
data based on collaboration and sharing of experiences and knowledge,
which would allow rapid progress in developing and iplementing a strategy of high-quality research into ME.
By collaborating across Europe the best talents from the best institutions can be harnessed.
EMERG History
The idea behind EMERG was formed in 2015 from an initiative by UK charity Invest in ME Research.
EMERG was intended to create a vision of collaborative research in Europe in order to increase biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
It brought together the foremost European ME researchers, and others, in order to establish an understanding of the Aetiology, Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of ME.
2023
Full EMERG Meeting in UK
EMERG is meeting at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, UK.
New members will be present.
2019
EMERG Meeting in London
EMERG was reformed and a two day meeting was held in London in November 2019.
EMERG formed a steering group and working groups were set up to look into different areas
(see governance).
The EMERG meeting overlapped with the European ME Clinicians Council (EMECC) meeting that followed.
EMERG will work with the clinicians in the European ME Clinicians Council (EMECC) and with European ME patient groups within the European ME Alliance (EMEA)
to provide a powerful combination of campaigning, raising of awareness, building new research and accumulation of data based on collaboration and sharing of experiences and knowledge,
which would allow rapid progress in developing and iplementing a strategy of high-quality research into ME.
By collaborating across Europe the best talents from the best institutions can be harnessed.
2020
EMERG Steering Group meets
The EMERG steering group met in Amsterdam to plan strategy, assess status of working groups and discuss status of latest funding applications and collaborative project work.
2018
Plans were made to reform EMERG and build a European infrastructure with clinicians and patients.
This strategy was created by UK charity Invest in ME Research with support from the European ME Alliance (EMEA).
2016
Second EMERG meeting held
Prior to the 6th Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium in London researchers met again to discuss status.
2015
Inaugural Meeting of EMERG.
Researchers were invited to the inaugural meeting in London to discuss forming collaborative research, joint funding bids and the creation of a European network of researchers.
Comments on EMERG
This is very exciting!
I believe this move will jump Europe well to the lead
in tackling the unanswered questions about ME.
The establishment of EMERG is very good news.
We and our members are glad to hear of this research
development and the desire
’to work more cooperatively and effectively’.
Congratulations on the good work -
a step forward for all ME sufferers
Congratulations and very best wishes for
European collaboration in ME
exciting developments with EMERG.
This collaboration promises to bring together many of the
best researchers in Europe and to consolidate research findings
and funding opportunities.
Certainly the critical mass this will bring to ME research in Europe
will be formidable. Congratulations
The formation of EMERG is indeed great news
Steering Committee
Remit
To develop and encourage a coordinated approach to ME/CFS research through promoting collaborations between its members and by promoting and raising the profile of ME/CFS research amongst stakeholders and patients.
Terms of Reference
- To represent European ME research
- To approve ME diagnostic criteria, based on ICC*, that is agreed by the European ME Clinicians Council (EMECC)
- To communicate and disseminate ME diagnostic criteria for research and encourage its use in recruiting both adult and/or paediatric patients for fundamental research studies and intervention and clinical trial studies
- Define the structure and agenda of the Working Groups
- Identify multi-partner funding applications and identify lead centres/PI(s)
- To develop and/or approve the scientific programme of the annual Invest in ME Research International Research Colloquium (IRC).
- http://www.investinme.org/Documents/Guidelines/Myalgic%20Encephalomyelitis%20International%20Consensus%20Primer%20-2012-11-26.pdf
Meetings: Two meetings each year one of which will be held during the annual IRC
Working Groups
Remit
To represent the broad range of scientific disciplines used to investigate ME/CFS, and to recommend and promote the adoption of best practice in the use of key, fundamental technologies and techniques These groups and the areas they cover are neither exhaustive nor exclusive. The remit and need for existing or new WG will be periodically reviewed by the Steering Committee.
Terms of Reference
- Determine what has been done (research project inventory/database) & what is needed; identifying priorities for new projects
- Identify centres and research groups for research specialisms and expertise
- Agree on standard operating procedures (SOP) and protocols that are published and disseminated via the dedicated EMERG website
- To promote collaborations and avoid redundancy and competition
- Reports to the Steering Committee
Membership
Representation from EMERG members with expertise in the use of key discipline-relevant technologies. Initial membership was established from amongst the attendees of the EMERG meeting held on Nov. 14-15th 2019
Additional Section
Membership will be reviewed annually.
Meetings: Informally as and when required (e.g. via video/telephone conferencing) and formally at the annual IRC meeting