The meta foundation was founded by Prof. Dr. Michael Schönemann in the year 2000. Its objective is to support scientific efforts and education. One of the most important projects of the meta foundation is the metalife project.
The metalife project
What is the metalife project?
The objective of the metalife project is to create a computer supported model of life.
Is it possible to complete such a complex project?
Yes. The worldwide life sciences community generates a continuously immense amount of new data. Only a trifle part of life can be explained with the current status of the world's knowledge. Over 99% of cellular processes remain undiscovered; the same is valid for complete organisms. On the other hand, there is an enormous increase in the availability of information.

We expect substantial scientific breakthroughs in the near future. For example, just 10 years ago, the human genome project was an extremely laborious venture to be conveyed worldwide. Nowadays, the human genome project is already completed and soon a 1000-dollar-genome will be offered.
Who is participating in the metalife project?
The meta foundation has already received a very positive reaction to the metalife project by the most important life sciences companies across the globe. This is a very powerful, yet worldwide unique project. Based on what we know today, if we succeed to design a computer supported model of life, we will be able to prolong life substantially and heal almost all diseases. Such a project can be conveyed solely in cooperation with the life sciences industry and the life sciences community.

All german life sciences companies agreed to take part in the project and they are already participating in the first phase. Later on, the cooperative network is expected to grow internationally. Microsoft and Intel also support the metalife project from the very beginning by providing high performance computers and system software.
Who is funding the metalife project?
The basic financing is being provided by the meta foundation. The funding is long-term planned and insures the completion of the metalife project. Additionally, various companies confirmed their financial support.
What are the advantages of the metalife project?
The ongoing results of the metalife project are to be provided to the life sciences community free of charge. Thanks to the standard model and the free access, scientists from all over the world can use this standardized knowledge base and publish their own findings. Thus, knowledge can be generated and integrated faster, and better utilized.