Research infrastructures

According to the definition of the Research Council of Finland, research infrastructures refer to the tools, equipment, data networks, databases and materials, as well as the services that enable research work, promote research collaboration, and strengthen research and innovation capacity and expertise.

THL’s research infrastructure consists of digital, physical and hybrid (physical digital) components:

• The digital research infrastructure covers extensive data resources and services, including registers, population survey datasets (surveys and health examinations), statistical datasets, cohort study data, client and service provider surveys, as well as other project specific and time limited datasets.
• The biobank and sample infrastructure consists of biological samples and the information associated with them, along with related information systems and services. Sample materials may be provided to researchers either as physical samples or as research datasets derived from them, in accordance with current legislation and permit procedures.
• The physical research infrastructure includes THL’s laboratories in microbiology, environmental health, forensic medicine and chemistry, along with the equipment and analytical services linked to them.

THL provides the resources and services of its infrastructure to research communities to support research and promote innovation. The infrastructure can also be used in development activities, for example in education or public services.