ESGO TransLink
What is TransLink?
ESGO TransLink supports and accelerates translational research in gynaecological oncology by linking researchers worldwide, enabling participating centres to share data, resources and expertise. The network allows researchers to carry out large-scale studies that would be difficult for individual clinicians or institutions to conduct on their own.
Objectives
- Accelerate translational research by making it easier to identify and connect complementary research resources across institutions.
- Bridge the gap between specialists and domains, fostering collaboration across Europe and beyond.
- Provide a structured, secure platform for research networking and matchmaking – distinct from, and without requiring, any exchange of patient data.
How does it work?
TransLink operates on a secure, reciprocal model:
Upload
Centres upload, in aggregated and non-identifiable form, the data they have available to the secure online repository. No patient-level or personal data is ever uploaded.
Request
Once the data upload is complete, centres can submit research proposals or data requests through the platform.
Review
Each proposal undergoes expert review, followed by approval from the steering committee. In addition, all contributing centres must provide their consent before we share any data.
Release
We release the requested data report alongside contact details to share resources and expertise, enabling high-quality collaborative research between participating centres.
Membership
TransLink will open after Summer 2026. Once officially open, any centre with relevant gynaecological oncology data can sign up.
To join TransLink, a centre must:
- sign the TransLink Collaboration Agreement
- contribute a sufficient volume of data describing its available research resources
Note: submitting a data request or initiating a research proposal requires ESGO membership. TransLink members without ESGO membership can still contribute data and their centre can still be found or matched for a study, but they cannot themselves submit requests.
Get in touch
You can contact translink@esgo.org if you have any specific questions. We also encourage you to sign up to our mailing lists to stay informed about TransLink.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
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- Increased global visibility: Showcase your institution's research capacities, biobank resources, and patient cohorts to a network of over 3,400 international professionals without publicly exposing sensitive data.
- International collaboration & co-authorship: Get matched for international multi-centre studies, opening pathways for joint research and high-impact publications.
- Zero data security risk: Because you only upload aggregate counts and zero patient-level data, there is no risk of exposing sensitive patient information or incurring complex GDPR data-controller liabilities at the onboarding stage.
- Full autonomy & ownership: Your institution retains 100% ownership of its data and resources. Your centre is never revealed to requesting researchers without your express written consent, and you hold full authority to accept or decline participation in any proposed study.
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The platform is designed exclusively for aggregated, summary-level, and non-identifiable institutional information regarding research capacities, resources, and materials (e.g., sample counts, biobank resources, equipment). It is strictly prohibited to host, transfer, or provide access to patient-level data, personal data, or health records of identifiable individuals.
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Because the platform collects only aggregated, summary-level institutional data and no patient-level data, ethics or IRB approval is generally not necessary to upload data to TransLink. However, this remains subject to the specific governance requirements and policies of your individual institution.
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TransLink itself never processes or transfers patient-level data. If an approved study requires the exchange of individual patient data or biological materials, that exchange occurs entirely outside the platform. It is governed by a separate, bilateral study-specific agreement (such as a Data Transfer Agreement) concluded directly between the collaborating centres, ensuring all local legal bases, GDPR requirements, and ethics approvals are met.
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Onboarding requires three key steps:
- Reviewing and signing the official TransLink Collaboration Agreement.
- Providing the name and email address of an authorised institutional representative for signature (circulated via DocuSign).
- Designating the primary person responsible for REDCap data entry along with their full name, position, and email address.
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For administrative and security purposes, access to REDCap is restricted to one main contact person and up to five additional team members per centre. Only an ESGO member will be able to make data requests.
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No. Participating centres cannot browse or search the repository directly, nor can they view data from other institutions. Contributing centres can only view and manage their own uploaded information.
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While any centre can contribute data to be discovered for potential studies, the primary investigator submitting a study request or research proposal must hold an active ESGO membership.
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Publications resulting from TransLink-facilitated projects must acknowledge ESGO and the TransLink project. Key scientific contributors are named authors, while contributing centres and investigators are credited under "The ESGO TransLink Collaborative Group" in accordance with international authorship guidelines.