The Technical Supporting Unit for Scientific Research (UATRS) was created by the Moroccan National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) to promote sharing of expensive research infrastructure between institutions. UATRS operates several specialized laboratories and platforms, providing analytical and characterization services to universities and companies. Key elements for successful operation include qualified human resources, training programs, and sustainable financing to support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades over the long term. UATRS aims to facilitate access to advanced technologies and expertise for the Moroccan research community.

1. 1
The Technical Supporting Unit for Scientific research (UATRS) : An
adapted Concept of Sharing of infrastructures and optimization of
resources in Morocco
Presented by Pr. Elmostafa EL FAHIME (CNRST, Rabat, Morocco)
MAGHRENOV
Workshop
on
Research
Infrastructures
for
RE&EE
in
EU-­MPC
countries
16
January
2015,
Ben
Guerir-­
Morocco

2. q CNRST was established in 1976..
q CNRST is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education &
Research.
q The CNRST’s assignments are to promote, develop, and
value scientific research, according to the country’s cultural
and socio-economic needs.
q The CNRST works in collaboration with public and private
institutions pursuing the same objectives (Universities,
Research Institutions,…).
q Important Units :
§ Moroccan Institute of Scientific and Technical Information (IMIST)‫‏‬
§ Moroccan National Research and Education Network (MARWAN)‫‏‬
§ Moroccan Grid Infrastructure (MaGrid)‫‏‬
§ Units of Technical Support to Scientific Research (UATRS)‫‏‬
§ Molecular and Microbiology Laboratory (Moroccan Coordinated Collections of
Microorganisms)
§ More info : www.cnrst.ma
Overview of CNRST
National Center for Scientific and Technical research ‫‏‬

3. to this end, the CNRST:
v
Shares
infrastructure,
resources
and
services;
v Supports
the
development
of
research;
v support
for
interna6onal
openness;
v promotes
the
exploita6on
and
dissemina6on
of
research
results.
3

4. The
context
!
In
developing
countries
like
Morocco,
the
introduc8on
of
many
centralized,
high-­‐end
technology
facili8es
that
specifically
cater
to
mul8ple
ins8tu8ons
and
organiza8ons
becomes
a
necessity.
These
organiza8ons
also
have
dedicated
facility
managers
and
support
staff
to
ensure
the
smooth
running
of
the
facili8es
and
proper
maintenance
of
equipment.

5. The
implementa8on
of
sharing
at
CNRST
5
Ressources
and
Infrastructure
sharing
The
IMIST:
*
makes
available
to
the
scien6fic
community
and
Moroccan
companies:
(i)
Interna6onal
research
journals,
(ii)
Recent
research
works,
(iii)
Research
journals
and
Moroccan
thesis
*
Follow
Up
of
technologies
evolu6on
The
UATRS
:
makes
available
to
the
scien8fic
community
and
Moroccan
companies,
technological
plaKorms
for
advanced
analysis
and
characteriza8on)
MARWAN:
makes
available
to
the
scien8fic
community:
a
na8onal
computer
network
and
grid
compu8ng.
Moroccan Academic and
Research Wide Area
Network

6. ‫‏‬
q The main idea behind the creation of UATRS is the promotion of the
culture of mutual use of expensive and sophisticated instrumentation
Ø Because of the high cost of this heavy infrastructure, either at the
purchase and installation stage or during its use and maintenance
q The UATRS’s assignments are to provide scientific and technical
assistance to the Moroccan scientific community in universities, in
specialized research centers and Provide also services for R&D for small/
medium Enterprises and Industries .
q Operational since January 2005, UATRS platforms are currently
composed of about 13 laboratories specialized in :
Ø Chemical analyses,
Ø Materials characterization,
Ø Molecular biology analyses (operational since January 2010)
q A wide variety of research fields including physics, metallurgy, ceramics,
microelectronics, geology, biotechnology, biomaterials, chemistry,
pharmacology
Overview of UATRSTechnical Support Unit for Scientific Research‫‏‬

7. Platform for
molecular
chemistry
2005
Platform for
Functional
Genomic research
2010
Platform for
elementary
analysis
2005
Platform for
Materials
Science
2005
ISO 17025
Processing applications
Accountancy
Informatics
metrology, safety, maintenance.
Quality Control
logistics

8. Life cycle for any technological plateform
PHASE 1
R & D
PHASE 2
Stabilization and
technical
optimization
PHASE 3
Service or product

9. Key element for a successful implementation of
technological platform
Human
resources
sustainable
financial support

10. A: HUMAN RESOURCES / QUALIFIED AND
DEDICATED
B: training
C: sustainable financing
D:Qualty system:
• Management
• Skills
• SOP
Key
elements
Maintenance

11. Human resources
basic academic education professional backgrounds
Ingénieurs - Chercheurs –Techniciens – Informaticien - Administrateurs – Qualiticien

12. Chemical Molecular analysis: Infrastructure
IR spectroscopy coupled to Raman and microscopy RMN 300MHz, H1, C13, F19, P31
GS-MS LC-MS

13. Elementary analysis
Inductively Coupled Plasma ICP-AES
WDS Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry
CHNOS

14. Structurales Analysis
XRD
Microscopy

15. Primer synthesisSequencing and gentyping laboratory
Genetic material preparation
Localisation

16. Real time PCR Robot pipeter
DNA Robot extractor
Sequenceur – 16 capillary
Genetic analysis

17. Polyplex synthtizer
Oligonucleotide synthesis laboratory
HPLC-semi preparative
Speed-Vac met Spectrophotomètre - Nanodrop

18. Next Generation of Sequencing
Infrastructure
Ion Proton™ System for Next-Generation Sequencing
Ion Reporter™ Software
and Server
Ion Chef™ System
Ion Proton™ System

19. The main Application
Infrastructure

20. Expertise
and advise
Samples
preparation
Chemical analysis
Material science
Genomics analysis
Data
analysis
Data
Storage
Sample
storage
Training

21. CNRST- Division UATRS
Procédure Université
Demande de BA BA envoyé par E-mail BA validé par la présidence