EUROPEAN COMMISSION
RESEARCH DIRECTORATE-GENERAL
Directorate F - Health Research
F4 - Generic activities, infrastructures
QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT
OF LIVING RESOURCES
GENERIC RTD ACTIVITIES and
RESEARCH
INFRASTRUCTURES
Project Synopses
1999-2002
2
Table of contents
EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE F, HEALTH RESEARCH ............................ 5
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 7
WORK PROGRAMME ................................................................................................................. 9
AREA 7: CHRONIC AND DEGENERATIVE DISEASES, CANCER, DIABETES,
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND RARE DISEASES ...................................................... 23
AREA 8: RESEARCH INTO GENOMES AND DISEASES OF GENETIC ORIGIN........ 125
AREA 9: NEUROSCIENCES ................................................................................................... 177
AREA 10: PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH ........................... 235
AREA 11: RESEARCH RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ..................... 275
AREA 12. BIOMEDICAL ETHICS AND BIOETHICS ......................................................... 295
AREA 13: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF LIFE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES 321
AREA 14: SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES ........................................ 333
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4
EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE F, HEALTH RESEARCH
Director:
Octavi Quintana Trias
Tel: +32-2-2989330
Fax: +32-2-2967901 E-mail: octavi.quintana-trias@cec.eu.int
Unit F4 Generic RTD Activities and Infrastructures
Head of Unit:
Manuel Hallen
Tel: +32-2-2957407
Fax: +32-2-2960588 E-mail: manuel.hallen@cec.eu.int
Scientific officers:
Area 7:
Shahid S. Baig
Tel: +32-2-2963437 E-mail: shahid.baig@cec.eu.int
Elmar Nimmesgern
Tel: +32-2-2969304 E-mail: elmar.nimmesgern@cec.eu.int
Antonio Mascioli
Tel: +32-2-2992562 E-mail: antonio.mascioli@cec.eu.int
Area 8:
Bernard Mulligan
Tel: +32-2-2968172 E-mail: bernard.mulligan@cec.eu.int
Jacques Remacle
Tel: +32-2-2963045 E-mail: jacques.remacle@cec.eu.int
Angeles Rodriguez Pena
Tel: +32-2-2984626 E-mail: angeles.rodriguez-pena@cec.eu.int
Area 9:
Philippe Cupers
Tel: +32-2-2998796 E-mail: philippe.cupers@cec.eu.int
Jürgen Sautter
Tel: +32-2-2998735 E-mail: juergen.sautter@cec.eu.int
Area 10:
Lisette Schermer
Tel: +32-2-2967927 E-mail: elisabeth.schermer@cec.eu.int
5
Fergal Donnelly
Tel: +32-2-2992683 E-mail: fergal.donnelly@cec.eu.int
Area 11:
Kevin McCarthy
Tel: +32-2-2963935 E-mail: kevin.mccarthy@cec.eu.int
Area 14:
Miklós Györffi
Tel: +32-2-2993560 E-mail: miklos.gyorffi@cec.eu.int
Action lines 12 and 13 are managed in Directorate E - Life Sciences:
Biotechnology, agricultural and food research
Area 12:
Line Matthiessen
Tel: +32-2-2952853 E-mail: line-gertrud.matthiessen-guyader@cec.eu.int
Area 13:
Alessio Vassarotti
Tel: +32-2-2958309 E-mail: alessio.vassarotti@cec.eu.int
Information on contracts in this catalogue may not always be accurate and
complete. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on
behalf of the European Commission is responsible for the use which might
be made of the following information.
6
Introduction
Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources
Research and Technological Development Activities of a Generic Nature
Support for Research infrastructures
This publication provides information on projects selected for funding under the
action lines “Research and Technological Development Activities of a Generic
Nature”, and “Support for Research Infrastructures” of the programme on
“Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources” (QoL) within the Fifth
Framework Programme (1998-2002). Its objective is not to assess the projects or
the results generated, but to give an overview on the ongoing research being
carried out in these action lines.
The QoL programme was built around three types of activities : (i) six Key
Actions targeted at enhancing the quality of life of European citizens and
improving the competitiveness of European industry – Areas 1-6; (ii) seven
Generic RTD Activities aiming to increase the knowledge base in chosen areas of
underlying strategic importance to the programme and to explore related ethical
and socio-economic issues – Areas 7-13; (iii) research infrastructures supporting
the Key Actions and Generic RTD Activities – Area 14.
Calls for proposals and selection of projects
Four deadlines with an overall budget of 483 million € have been open in
“Generic RTD Activities” during 1999 and 2001. Some 2,135 proposals have
been submitted to Areas 7-13 and 290 projects have been selected for funding
(overall success rate 13.6%) allowing for an average financial support per project
in the order of 1.67 million €.
In area 14 “Research Infrastructures” one open Call for Proposals has been
published with an overall budget of 95 million €. 178 proposals have been
submitted to the seven cut-off dates and 54 projects have been retained for
funding 1.
1
http://www.cordis.lu/life/src/projects.htm
7
Specific initiatives / activities related to this part of the QoL programme
Genome research for human health
To assist in the strategic goal of unlocking the potential of the human genome
sequence, the Commission has launched in June 2000 a dedicated initiative on
"Genome research for human health", mainly supported by action line 8 of Generic
RTD Activities and Support for Research Infrastructures. As one of the main elements
of the initiative, a new type of project has been launched in the Quality of Life
programme, the QoL integrated project. 39.4 million € have been made available for
three QoL integrated projects. As a second main element of this initiative, an additional
budget of 25 million € for infrastructures supporting genome research has been made
available. http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/2000/pr1511en.html
Co-ordination of European research activities
To better co-ordinate European activities in the fields of cancer and genome research,
two forums of research managers and senior scientists have been established. Their
objectives are (i) to develop synergies between European RTD programmes and
national/international research programmes in the field, (ii) to help create improved
channels of communication from the action line into the national research
communities, and vice versa, and (iii) to help promote broader European cooperation
in the field through, for example, sharing experiences, identifying and disseminating
good practices, helping benchmark national and Community activities, informing
researchers of the work going on in different countries, and identifying new research
avenues.
http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/rtd/cogene/info/data/pub/home.htm,
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/news-centre/en/med/02-03-med02.html
Contribution to other QoL programme activities
Following a mandate from the Research Council of 16 November 2000, the
Commission has created a comprehensive catalogue of European activities in the field
of TSE research with the help of a group of European experts. A TSE research
inventory has been published in 2001 followed by a dedicated call for proposals in the
same year. http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/quality-of-life/tse/index_en.html
Details on the content of the underlying work programme are given on page 7 and
a list of scientific staff in charge of this part of the QoL programme as well as
contact addresses can be found on pages 5-6.
This catalogue has been edited and compiled by Miklos Györffi with the help of
all other Scientific Officers involved.
Brussels, 31 October 2002
Manuel HALLEN
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Work programme
In contrast to the mission-oriented and problem-solving Key Actions in the
Quality of Life Programme, which placed the emphasis on the linkage between
discovery and exploitation, RTD activities of a generic nature aimed to build up
the knowledge base in chosen areas of strategic importance and to explore related
ethical and socio-economic issues. Interaction between research laboratories and
industry was promoted. The networking of projects involving core centres and
associated laboratories was encouraged to create a critical mass, to promote
interaction between basic and applied research and to ensure maximum transfer of
knowledge to and from industry and undertakings.
Area 7: Chronic and Degenerative Diseases, Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular
Disease and Rare Diseases
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this activity is to reduce the impact of human multifactorial
diseases2 both on individuals and populations by fostering the integration of basic
and clinical research aimed at: a) elucidating the contribution of the cellular,
molecular, genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors which determine disease;
b) integrating different disciplines and advanced technologies to develop effective
approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Many of these diseases share a common multifactorial aetiology through the
combination of multiple risk factors and similar basic mechanisms of initiation,
progression and maintenance so that scientific progress in one disease will
enhance understanding of others. In that context, priority was given to
multidisciplinary research into shared mechanisms underlying multifactorial
diseases. Priorities were:
7.1. Elucidation of the common underlying pathogenic mechanisms involved
in disease initiation, progression and maintenance concentrating on three main
approaches: (i) mechanisms of inter and intracellular signalling involved in
disease processes, their role and interactions; (ii) cell proliferation, differentiation,
regulation and disregulation, migration, injury, repair, apoptosis and death and
their implications in disease development as well as the role of immunity,
inflammatory processes, angiogenic mechanisms and metabolic factors and
2
Excluding neurological and mental disorders which were covered within area 9
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defects (early markers of cell dysfunction); (iii) modelling of disease processes
through cellular, tissue, animal and in silico models and their validation in
humans; (iv) understanding of how metabolic, genetic and environmental factors
(including the evaluation of the role that those play in different European
populations) for specific diseases cause pathophysiological effects.
7.2. Evaluation of conventional and non-conventional therapies and
diagnostic methods through multinational, large scale studies/trials taking
into account advances in modern technology with a focus on four topics: (i)
development and evaluation of invasive and preferably non-invasive methods of
imaging, both anatomical and functional (particularly for early diagnosis, clinical
evaluation and monitoring of pathological processes) and of existing and new
non-invasive monitoring devices; (ii) research into molecular and clinical markers
of chronic, degenerative and rare disorders for diagnosis, prognosis and
progression and for use in early diagnostic tests and screening methods for the
identification of high-risk populations; (iii) clinical trials3: treatment and
prevention, assessment of the safety and efficacy of new and existing drugs or
other therapies (comparison of different therapies and interventions), and
establishment of harmonised guidelines and protocols for the best use of
interventions; (iv) retrospective and prospective studies and trials to assess the
impact of specific therapies and prevention on risk in the general population and
groups at risk.
7.3. Optimised use of databases, registries, reagents and sample banks:
concerted actions, thematic networks and RTD projects to improve the use of
relevant registries, databases and sample banks, for data on risk factors, outcome
and impact of specific treatments and interventions 4.
This line also supported, co-operative research, exploratory awards, training
fellowships and accompanying measures. In addition, all types of actions were
open if the proposals stemmed from exploratory awards under this programme.
Area 8: Research into Genomes and Diseases of Genetic Origin
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this activity was to strengthen the strategic position already
established internationally by the Community in the field of genome research and
to reinforce the knowledge base for identifying the biological functions of genes,
3
4
Only phase III and phase IV trials as RTD projects
See also Area 14 (Support for Research Infrastructures)
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to improve the interpretation of sequence information in animal-, microbial- and
plant-model genomes5 and in the human genome. The new knowledge and
technologies deriving from this research were expected to promote the
exploitation of genomic information to the benefit of health, industry, agriculture,
fisheries and aquaculture and to identify genetic basis of disease. Research
covered functional, computational and comparative genomics and proteomics.
Priorities were:
8.1. Genome analysis. Research was aimed at: (i) improvement of the knowledge
and understanding of the genetic structure and molecular evolution of genomes;
(ii) systematic investigation using genome wide technologies of monogenic and
complex human genetic traits (common and rare); (iii) identification and
characterisation of new susceptibility and modifier genes; (iv) characterisation of
genotype/phenotype relationships, including the development and application of
novel biochemical and physical methods for rapid phenotyping in humans and
model animals; (v) investigation and development of new pharmaco-therapeutic
approaches based on genomic knowledge. (vi) improving the understanding of
genes relevant to human disease, risk factors and complex regulation through
population sequencing.
8.2. Functional genomics and proteomics. The focus was on topics contributing
to the functional interpretation of the human genome and model genomes relevant
to human health, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. Emphasis was placed on
comparative genome analysis, on the development of high-throughput methods, as
well as on the integration of laboratory and computational approaches: (i) multilevel analysis of the expression, function and interaction of genes; (ii) control and
regulation of gene expression, e.g. through feedback networks, long range
interactions or positional effects, and its deregulation in disease; (iii) definition of
protein families and interacting pathways; (iv) development of new technologies
for prediction of protein structure and the dissection of protein interactions,
variation and isoforms as well as large scale proteomics; (v) development of
portable bioinformatic tools for the collection and analysis of genomic structural
and functional data, and for the integration of genomic and phenotypic data.
8.3. Development of novel expression systems, model organisms, mutant,
transgenic and hybrid organisms. Priorities were: (i) facilitation of the study of
5
Model genomes were here defined as those generally accepted for generic research where the
knowledge gained provides insight to genomes of other organisms.
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human and other genes of biomedical, agronomic and industrial interest in
appropriate organisms; (ii) systematic approaches to establish meaningful models
for the analysis of single gene functions; (iii) mutation detection and polymorphic
variation analyses, including the development of improved detection technologies
to fully exploit this resource for human health.
8.4. Development and application of underpinning biochemistry, biophysical,
statistical and computational approaches. Priorities were: (i) underpinning
biochemical, biophysical, statistical and computational approaches in order to
translate the findings of genotypic function / structure / motives into phenotypic
description of biomedical issues; (ii) development of new efficient storage and
retrieval systems for large data sets with specific software needs, and state of the
art database management systems.
8.5 Integrated projects in “genomics and human health”
To unlock the enormous medical, social and economic potential of the human
genome sequence, the links between genomic structure, gene function, gene
polymorphism and human disease need to be determined. This will be long-term
resource-intensive process, in which Europe needs to combine its efforts and
achieve critical mass in order to remain competitive.
To assist in this strategic goal, the Programme supported the genomics and human
health field through a new type of project, the ‘integrated project’. Each
integrated project cluster within it a number of RTD projects, co-ordination
projects (concerted actions, and/or thematic networks) and host training
fellowships, under a common integrated management structure. The RTD projects
should perform groundbreaking research. The co-ordination projects are intended
to act as a federating force within the field, creating synergy with and between
national programmes. The host fellowships should provide opportunities for
training young researchers at Europe’s top centres in the field, both in academia
and in industry. Each integrated project encompasses all three of these elements.
To ensure a critical mass, an integrated project contains a minimum of 150
researcher-years of effort (including the training component). Each integrated
project is monitored closely by the Commission and will be subject to an
exhaustive mid-term review by independent external experts.
Integrated projects were selected by a two-stage process, involving expressions of
interest followed by a dedicated call, in order to allow both the Programme and
the applicants to focus on the topics of highest added value for Europe.
Expressions of interest were requested for topics throughout the field of functional
genomics relating to human health, including computational genomics,
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comparative genomics and proteomics. Topics exploit multi-disciplinary
approaches and advance the development and application of new methods and
technologies.
Area 9: Neurosciences
There were four objectives of research: (i) to provide a better understanding of the
nervous system, the mechanisms governing biological and psychological
processes and their interrelationship. (ii) to promote new diagnostic, preventive
and basis for therapeutic approaches to neurological and mental disorders. (iii) to
provide new education and learning tools and (iv) to explore synergies between
neuroscience and information technologies. A key feature of this action line was
the integration of theoretical and experimental approaches, of basic and clinical, of
diverse disciplines (such as molecular, psychological and imaging technologies,
psychology and sociology) and levels of organisation (i.e. genetic and molecular,
cellular, physiological and psychological systems, the individual, populations)
while recognising that no one proposal will achieve all of these. The priorities
were:
9.1 Cell communication, addressing four topics: (i) understanding how the
nervous system carries out signal recognition and transduction at the molecular
level and exploits and regulates the diversity of signalling molecules; (ii)
elucidating the links between molecules involved in intra- and inter-cellular
signalling as well as in neuronal integration in normal and pathological states,
including links between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems; (iii)
understanding the reward mechanisms common to central actions of drugs (which
create dependance), nicotine and alcohol; (iv) understanding the mechanisms of
memory, learning and recall.
9.2 Brain theories, computational neuroscience and neuroinformatics,
covering three domains: (i) development and validation of theoretical concepts
and models of brain functions at various levels; (ii) understanding of how real
networks of neurones solve problems; (iii) investigating methods that enable
construction of “machines that live” i.e. machines with automatic adaptation
beyond programming alone; (iv) development of computational approaches,
including database technologies, with the potential of integrating data from
molecular to behavioural levels.6
9.3. Brain development, disorders and repair and their clinical,
epidemiological and social implications, concentrating on: (i) understanding the
6
Concerning database technologies the QoL programme did not provide support for the collection
of data (unless the collection was an integral component of the research in a RTD project).
13
genetic, cellular and molecular basis of development, dysfunction, damage and
repair of the nervous system, with special emphasis on the role of stem cells in
development and repair; (ii) integration of basic and clinical research with the aim
to develop new preventive, protective, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for
neurological and psychiatric disorders7 (e.g. schizophrenia, autism, eating
disorders, multiple sclerosis, basal ganglia diseases etc.) including functional
recovery and rehabilitation.
9.4. Behaviour, cognition and functional mapping of the brain with a focus on
five topics: (i) Understanding higher brain functions and sensory and motor
activities in health and diseases. (ii) Fostering links between experimental analysis
of brain processes and non-invasive imaging techniques, in order to understand
essential brain functions from perception and motor control to thinking and
language conception and production. (iii) Evaluation of the benefits and feasibility
of transferring novel concepts on the neuronal basis of human behaviour and
language learning into childhood education and clinical medicine. (iv)
Development and validation of imaging technologies, especially non-invasive
with improved quantitation, time and spatial resolution as well as the design of
common platforms and available tools for treatment, analysis and dissemination
of “imaging” data. (v) Exploring the potential of functional brain imaging as a
diagnostic tool in neurological and mental disorders as well as in rehabilitation.
Area 10: Public Health and Health Services Research
OBJECTIVES
Research aimed to underpin the Community activities in the fields of public health
and of health and safety. In addition, in the light of drug addiction continuing to
constitute a major threat to European society, the issue of synthetic drugs calls for
priority attention. Comparative research offers scope for improving understanding
of biomedical and social causes of addiction and drug misuse and the development
of appropriate preventative and treatments interventions. In these perspectives,
drugs include narcotics, certain misused medicines but also doping agents,
anabolic steroids.
7
Only phase I and phase II trials as demonstration projects
14
10.1. Health services research and health and safety at work
Research aimed to improve the health of European citizens by supporting the
Community’s health strategy and its activities in the fields of public health8,
health services research, and health and safety at work.
Priorities were: (i) to analyse the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness of
health interventions, health promotion and prevention; (ii) to analyse the
variations in health care models and inequalities in health status among European
countries; (iii) to analyse socio-economic and organisational aspects of health care
systems, services, and health policy initiatives9; (iv) to evaluate the effectiveness
of non-conventional therapies; (v) to develop more sophisticated methods in
epidemiology; (vi) to develop and test methodologies for identification of best
practice for health interventions, and to acquire evidence for best practice in
disease management for health policy decision-making; (vii) to develop and test
methodologies for appraising the health impact of policy actions and/or large
scale projects, (viii) to identify aetiology of occupational accidents, in particular
for specific high risk situations for individuals, enterprise and society; (ix) to
determine exposure to and influence of physical and mental stress at work.
10.2 Fighting drug related problems
To prevent and control health and social problems for the individual and society
related to drugs10 including doping agents in sport, alcohol and nicotine.
Priorities were: (i) to determine the social, psychological and socio-economic
factors related to hazardous use and dependence; (ii) to develop better
understanding of the long-term health and social consequences of consumption;
(iii) to evaluate current prevention and treatment programmes, to develop more
effective treatment strategies; (vi) to undertake epidemiological research for
demand reduction such as morbidity/mortality studies, longitudinal development
of behaviour and disease, identification of risk groups; (v) to undertake research
on the traceable variations of biological profiles in blood or other body fluids
(biochemical, hormonal, cell formula etc) induced by doping substances in view
of their use as screening targets to detect doping.
8
Cf. The Communication from the Commission on the health strategy of the European
Community, and the Proposal for a Decision adopting a programme of Community action in
the field of public health – COM(2000)285 final of 16.5.2000
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/dat/2000/en_500PC0285.html
9
Proposals related to socio-economic evaluation of health technology should be submitted to Area
13 “socio-economic evaluations of health care and life sciences technologies”.
10
Drugs refer to natural or synthetic substances listed in the three UN Conventions from 1961,
1971 and 1988.
http://www.incb.org/e/conv/
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Area 11: Research Relating to Persons with Disabilities
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this activity is to enhance the quality of life and the independence of
persons with physical, mental and intellectual disabilities11, taking into account
their expectations and the greater contributions they could make to society.
Priorities were:
11.1 Determinants of impairment, disability and handicap and their interrelationships, including research into the physiological, psychological, social and
educational needs of persons with disabilities. Research explore new ways of
measuring and assessing disability in context, taking into account the effects of
physical, policy and social environments, and the dynamic nature of disability
over the lifespan and across environments.
11.2. Methodologies for the assessment of quality of life from perspective of
persons with disabilities, that is in terms of personal and social well being, with
special emphasis on health care and medical treatments.
11.3. Innovative technological research for the rehabilitation and assistance
of persons with disabilities, taking into account the wide variety of user needs.
Special emphasis was put on ergonomics (e.g. posture, mobility and weight of
technical aids), cognitive designs of tools, in order to adapt the living environment
and the work place to the needs of persons with disabilities.
11.4 Health and social care delivery with a focus on: (i) models for improved
effectiveness and efficiency of delivery to persons with disabilities according to
the specificities of their impairments; (ii) analysis and comparison of various
modalities, such as institutional, community and informal care, and efficacy of
distance healthcare; (iii) methodologies for outcome measurement and
assessment; predictive models for future needs for health and social care at
individual, organisational and societal levels. Special attention was given to how
persons with disabilities age and the implications for health and social care.
Disabilities will be defined according to the ICIDH (International Classification of Impairments,
Disabilities and Handicaps) of the WHO (World Health Organization), taking into account the
current initiative to revise it
(ICIDH-2). http://www.who.int/icidh/
11
16
Projects where the predominant activity was the development or application of
new information, communication and robotic technologies were excluded under
this action line and asked to be submitted to Thematic Programme N° 2 “Userfriendly Information Society”, Key Action 1 “Systems and services for the
citizen”. Projects focusing more specifically on age-related disabilities were also
excluded and asked to be submitted to Key Action 6 “The ageing population and
their disabilities” of this programme.
Area 12: Biomedical Ethics and Bioethics
OBJECTIVES
This generic activity responded to ethical concerns arising out of rapid
developments in the life sciences in the context of respect for fundamental human
values. The recent publication of the draft sequence of the human genome and the
foreseen implications for medicine and human health raise a number of bioethical
issues. Research in bioethics had the following main objectives: (i) to develop an
ethical framework for research and to clarify the responsibilities of researchers,
policy makers and economic actors; (ii) to contribute to a balanced dialogue
between the public and the actors in the field, and an increased public awareness
and consultation on ethical issues taking into account different sociocultural
contexts; (iii) to help inform decision makers and citizens with regard to
appropriate policy options, and to anticipate and address questions raised by
scientific and technological developments, including those arising from this
programme; (iv) to create and support pan-European networks of ethical expertise.
Priorities were:
12.1. Ethical aspects of scientific and technological developments, notably: (i)
the human genome, genetic testing and screening, testing for predisposition, and
the human genetic diversity; (ii) germline gene modification; (iii) the use of
human stem cells; (iv) in womb therapy; (v) xenotransplantation; (vi) the use of
modern technologies and methods in plant and animal breeding; (vii) the use of
information technology in medicine.
12.2. Ethical framework for life sciences, notably: (i) the involvement of human
beings in research, in particular children, vulnerable groups and people in
developing countries; (ii) the use of human cell tissues (including foetal tissues);
(iii) the use of animals in research, in particular non-human primates; (iv) ethical
conduct of research and issues linked with the dissemination of results.
17
12.3. Public policies, law, human rights and bioethics, notably: (i) bioethics in
education systems and professional training; (ii) ethical aspects of consumer,
environment, animal welfare and agriculture policies, including issues related to
the Biodiversity Convention; (iii) research on links between bioethics and
legislation (Community legislation, international treaties and declarations on
bioethics, intellectual property rights, development of patent law and practice in
the field of biotechnology and its impact on the protection of human rights,
consequences of citizens’ ethical concerns for international trade relations); (iv)
protection of privacy and personal data, including genetic data.
12.4. Bioethics infrastructures and methodologies, notably: (i) comparative
analysis of competencies and methodologies used by national, local and
international ethics committees; (ii) networking of information infrastructures on
legal and ethical data and associated methodologies; (iii) concepts of European
and universal ethical standards and their relation with national and regional
ethical values; (iv) bioethics and multiculturalism; (v) bioethics and the media.
Area 13: Socio-Economic Aspects of Life Sciences and Technologies
OBJECTIVES
This generic activity aimed to encourage (i) the socio-economic evaluation of life
sciences and technologies within the perspective of sustainable development, and
(ii) the socio-economic evaluation of health care technologies. This activity aimed
to provide useful information to policy makers both in the Member States and at
Community level, and also to promote public debate. Priorities were:
13.1 Development of indicators and knowledge bases relevant to public policy
making, covering: (I) analysis of RTD strategies in the public and private sector;
(ii) technology forecasting to highlight potential applications and their likely
impact on existing and emerging sectors; (iii) social and cultural perceptions and
the shaping of new technologies.
13.2 Managing technology in society: (i) social and economic impact of the
availability of genetic information on employment, public and private insurance,
and people carrying specific genetic traits; (ii) cost-effectiveness analyses of
health technology (including preventive services) from a societal viewpoint; (iii)
research on the implications of new technologies for policies (including
monitoring and control) in the field of pharmaceuticals and health care,
agriculture, agro-food industry and environment.
18
13.3 Analysis of social and economic driving forces and of new opportunities
in the bioindustries, including: (i) studies on the existing and potential impacts
of life sciences and technologies on industrial and economic growth,
competitiveness and job creation; (ii) analyses of the innovation systems in
Europe, including research on how geographic concentration of innovation
creators and users helps generate dynamic bioindustries; iii) research on
intellectual property rights and the importance of intellectual property protection;
(iv) research on the availability of investment capital and human resources; (v)
research on the effect of regulations on the development of Europe’s
bioindustries.
Area 14: Support for Research Infrastructures
OBJECTIVES
Within the Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme, the
term “research infrastructures” referred to facilities and resources that provide
essential services to the research community in the life sciences. The objectives
of the Programme in supporting research infrastructures (in this action line as well
as elsewhere in the Programme where research infrastructures are supported)
were: (i) to encourage the optimum use of Europe’s research infrastructures,
notably by fostering transnational co-operation in their rational and cost-effective
use and development and, in conjunction with the Quality of Life and
Management of Living Resources system of Marie Curie Fellowships, by
broadening access to these infrastructures particularly for young researchers; (ii)
to improve the European-wide consistency and complementarity of these
infrastructures and their competitiveness at world level; and (iii) to help improve
the quality and user-orientation of services offered to the European research
community. The role of the Programme’s activities in support for research
infrastructures was to add value at the European level in the context that the
construction and operation of research infrastructures is the responsibility of
national authorities. This particular action of the Quality of Life and Management
of Living Resources Programme provided support for research infrastructures in
the following fields:
14.1. Biological collections notably: (i) repositories of living and non-living
specimens, including mutants and strains (e.g. mouse) and other genetic models;
(ii) genetic materials (vectors, genes, DNA, chromosomes); (iii) microbial
collections; (iv) reference collections for age determination or validation of
aquatic organisms.
19
14.2. Biological information resources12 notably: (i) development of large
genomic and proteomic databases, including functional imaging, and validation
and management tools, biodiversity and taxonomic databases, particularly in the
context of international actions; (ii) platforms providing linkages through the
biological information chain, from factual data to print media; (iii) fisheries
databases: catches, discards, selectivity, tagging, etc; (iv) databases on forest
genetic resources, tree improvement programmes and forest ecosystem dynamics.
14.3. Clinical research facilities notably: (i) facilities for the development and
validation of drugs, vaccines, methods and devices for improved diagnosis,
monitoring and therapy, particularly for diseases of major concern in Europe; (ii)
high-level clinical and pre-clinical containment facilities; (iii) advanced medical
technology facilities and infrastructures for standardised multi-centre clinical
trials; (iv) registries and pooled databases of clinical trials; (v) European facilities
for batch production for clinical trials.
14.4. Pre-clinical research facilities, notably: facilities for the development of in
vitro systems or cell cultures and, where no other means exist, breeding of
animals, including non-human primates, to provide models of human diseases and
facilitate development of vaccines, new drugs and medical devices.
14.5. Facilities for aquaculture and fishery research, notably: (i) fishery
research vessels for biological surveys. (ii) flume tanks for experiments to
improve fishing gear selectivity. (iii) aquaculture laboratories and basins for
genetic experiments and pathological trials. (iv) facilities for standardisation of
diagnoses and validation of markers for fisheries management purposes.
14.6 Exploiting High-Bandwidth Communication Networks (multigigabit/s).
This line focused on application-driven multidisciplinary research that aims to
develop the specific applications, standards and protocols needed for the
bioscience community to exploit fully the potential of future Europe-wide highbandwidth communication networks and ‘Grids’13 addressing at the same time
high-throughput computing and high-capacity networking. Proposals were
12 The
Environment and Sustainable Development Programme also consider proposals on research
infrastructures concerning relevant information resources.
13
The concept of the ‘Grid’ conceptualises the schema for data-intensive computing and
networking. Such infrastructure is meant to connect multiple computational grids, creating a
universal source of pervasive and dependable computing power that supports new classes of
applications.
20
requested, for example, in the following fields: bioinformatics, genomics,
proteomics, pharmacogenomics, clinical and surgical medicine. Proposals that
involve the networking of Europe’s major information resources or those aimed at
creating ‘virtual’ or ‘distributed’ information resources were particularly
encouraged. Suitable exploitation plans and, where appropriate, the participation
of industry were essential.
Furthermore, classes of research infrastructures eligible for support within the
RTD activities of a generic nature were also considered eligible under this action
whenever there was no relevant call for proposals open under those activities.
It should be noted that the “Quality of Life and Management of Living
Resources” programme did not provided support for tasks that involved the
construction and routine operation of research infrastructures, nor for the
collection of data (unless the collection was an integral component of the
research in an infrastructure RTD project). The cost of activities aimed at
stimulating the introduction and use of trans-European broadband
communication networks for research were however considered eligible.
21
22
Area 7: Chronic and Degenerative Diseases, Cancer,
Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Rare Diseases
23
24
Project number: QLG1-1999-00008
Acronym: DNA Repair
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.240.725 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: E F 2NL UK
Structural studies on the mechanism of DNA excision repair
DNA is easily damaged by chemical or physical reactions from a variety
of sources. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) removes these damages from the
DNA, ensuring the genetic integrity and proper functioning of the cell. Patients
with inherited NER defects not only show a predisposition to cancer, but
sometimes also display neurological abnormalities. The basic features of the NER
process have been conserved throughout evolution, from bacteria to man. The
objectives of this project are to determine how damages distort the structure of the
DNA and how these are recognised and repaired by the NER proteins. To achieve
these objectives we will determine the three-dimensional structure of the damaged
DNA, the repair proteins and the protein-DNA complexes via NMR and X-ray
crystallography. Knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of the NER
components will be a significant contribution to the understanding of NER at the
molecular level.
Keywords: nucleotide excision repair, DNA damage, repair proteins
Co-ordinator:
Mark Rutherford Sanderson
King's College London
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Gorlaeus Laboratories
26/29 Drury Lane
UK - London WC2B 5RL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 171 465 5339
Fax: +44 171 497 9078
E-mail: mrs@helios.rai.kcl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
25
Project number: QLG1-1999-00050
Acronym: IBDMODELS
Contract signature: 18/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.584.580 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: CZ F PL S 3UK
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: analysis of environmental, immunological and
genetic influences using model systems
Chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine impose significant
healthcare, social and economic problems throughout Europe. A multifactorial
aetiology with environmental, immunological and genetic components is
suggested. The project will use three mouse models of intestinal inflammation to
examine the interactions between the intestinal bacterial microflora and the
mucosal immune system. The effects of individual bacterial species and their
defined antigens on induction and regulation of pathogenesis will be investigated
in selectively recolonised germfree systems. The role of the intestinal epithelium
and associated extracellular matrix components will be explored. New model
systems to analyse the involvement of specific gene transcription factors in the
initiation and control of mucosal inflammation will be produced.
Keywords: inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial microflora, mucosal immune
Co-ordinator:
Paul W. Bland
The University of Bristol
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science
Langford House, Langford
UK - Bristol BS40 5DU
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 117 928 9296
Fax: +44 117 928 9505
E-mail: paul.bland@bris.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
26
Project number: QLG1-1999-00084
Acronym: VASCAN-2000
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.063.810 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: DK 2E F 3UK
3 - dimensional analysis of vascular structure, function and receptor
distribution using confocal laser scanning microscopy
Nothing is known of how adventitial, medial and endothelial cells arrange
themselves to form a vascular wall. No explanation explanation exists of how the
vascular wall remodels in cardiovascular disease. Lack of structural knowledge
stems from lack of suitable methods to study structure and function
simultaneously. Conventional histology related to function cannot provide
sufficient detail of cellular arrangement and relationships. VASCAN-2000 brings
together experts in confocal microscopy (CLSM), 3D-image analysis and vascular
biology and hardware and software SMEs from 4 EU countries. Via a shared cost
initiative, we will study relationships and distributions of key receptor populations
and all vascular cell types in isolated pressurised resistance vessels in 3D using
CLSM and novel imaging techniques. Vessels from rat and human conditions of
hyper and hypotension will allow identification of common aspects of vascular
remodelling.
Keywords: 3D dimensional analysis, vascular structure, confocal laser
microscopy
Co-ordinator:
John C. McGrath
University of Glasgow
Division of Neuroscience and Biomedical Systems
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences
West Medical Building, University Avenue
UK - Glasgow G12 8QQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 141 330 4483
Fax: +44 141 337 1651
E-mail: j.c.mcgrath@bio.gla.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
27
Project number: QLG1-1999-00181
Acronym: DNA Repair Disorders
Contract signature: 22/02/2000
Area: 7
EU contribution: 1.922.890 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2F I 2NL UK
Ultraviolet-Sensitive Genetic Disorders Associated with Defects in DNA Repair
and Transcription
The UV-sensitive disorders, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne
Syndrome (CS) and trichothiodystrophy (TTD) are associated with defects in
DNA repair. XP is cancer- prone, whereas CS and TTD are cancer-free multisystem genetic disorders. The genes defective in CS and TTD have dual functions
in DNA repair and in transcription. We will 1) establish cell strains from new
patients, characterise their DNA repair defects and determine the sites of the
mutations in the appropriate genes; 2) determine the effects of the mutations on
the activities of the gene products; 3) determine the relationships between defects
in repair and transcription, by analysis of TFIIH, the transcription factor affected
in patients with TTD and some patients with XP and by studying the mechanism
of transcription- coupled repair, which is defective in CS; 4) identify the defect in
the variant form of XP; 5) study genotype-phenotype relationships in transgenic
mouse models
Keywords: xeroderma, DNA repair, transcription
Co-ordinator:
Alan R. Lehmann
Medical Research Council
Cell Mutation Unit
Sussex University
UK - Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RR
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1716365422
Fax: +44 1715806198
E-mail: brian.latham@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
28
Project number: QLG1-1999-00202
Acronym: TAGAPO
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 7
EU contribution: 3.100.837 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D EL 2F 2I CH
Targeting genes and pathways in chronic immunopathologies
Chronic immunopathologies constitute a major class of diseases with high
morbidity and mortality for the patient. TAGAPO aims to improve the current
state of the art in the understanding of aetiology, pathophysiology, progress and
outcome of disease by using: 1) conditional gene targeting in mice to study the
impact of ablating specific cells, genes and pathways from animals developing
specific immunopathologies; 2) differential gene expression profiling using DNA
array technologies on important cell types to discover new genes with putative
involvement in immunity and immunopathology and 3) optimised technologies
for conditional genome modification in the mouse to identify new gene function
and relevance to immunity and disease. TAGAPO build up new knowledge into
mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and aims to disclose new diagnostic markers
and therapeutic targets for further academic, clinical and industrial exploitation.
Keywords: chronic immunopathologies, differential gene expression, genome
modification
Co-ordinator:
Georges Kollias
Hellenic Pasteur Institute
Department of Molecular Genetics
127, Vas. Sophias Avenue
GR - 115 21 Athens
Greece
Tel: +30-1 645 5071
Fax: +30-1 645 6547
E-mail: giorgos_kollias@hol.gr
__________________________________________________________________
29
Project number: QLG1-1999-00273
Acronym: Mutant P53 in Cancer
Contract signature: 13/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.583.321 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2F I IL
Mutant P53 gain of function activities as determinants for tumour prognosis
and therapy
P53 gene mutations are common in cancer. Human tumours accumulate
abundant mutant p53 protein. Wild type (wt) p53 is a potent tumour supressor. In
addition to loosing the inhibitory functions of wt p53, cancer-associated mutant
p53 may gain new oncogenic functions to actively promote cancer. Wt p53 is
studied extensively, but little is known about gain of function of mutant p53 and
its relevance to cancer. Based on recent findings by the partners, we will explore
biological effects of tumour-derived p53 mutants and their biochemical basis. We
will use cell-free assays, cultured cells and mouse models. Different mutants will
be compared. A special database will address correlations between mutant p53
status and patient outcome. Using a novel assay, chemical libraries will be
screened for p53-inhibitory drugs. This should advance understanding of cancer
aetiology and define new therapy targets.
Keywords: mutant P53, oncogenic functions, P53 inhibitory drugs
Co-ordinator:
Wolfgang Deppert
Heinrich-Pette-Institut für Experimentelle Virologie und Immunologie
Department Tumorvirologie
Martinistr. 52
D - 20251 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: +49 40 48051261
Fax: +49 40 48051117
E-mail: deppert@hpi.uni-hamburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
30
Project number: QLG1-1999-00276
Acronym: MONOBIAB
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 867.421 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: E F FIN I 3NL
The blood monocyte as a tool for the prediction of type 1 diabetes
Europe has one of the highest prevalence of insulin dependant diabetes
(IDDM), with more than one million patients. Treatment modalities are far from
optimal and chronic IDDM has devastating vascular complications with
staggering costs for the Community. Six European groups and a research-based
biotechnology firm with expertise in the field diabetology and immunology, here
together design a novel approach to develop new clinically applicable tools to
predict IDDM development. These tools are based on the new insight that
monocyte-derived cells play key roles in the aetiology and pathogenesis of IDDM.
Major effort will be directed towards DNA micro-array methods for discovering
molecules in monocytes specific for the prediabetic state. From this, monocyterelated tests for the prediction of IDDM will be created. The (pre-)diabetes
specific molecules will also have great potential as basis for novel therapies in the
prevention of IDDM.
Keywords: blood monocyte, insulin dependant diabetes, monocyte related tests
Co-ordinator:
Hemmo Drexhage
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Medical Faculty Immunology
Molewaterplein 50
NL - 3000 DR Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-10-408.8093
Fax: +31-10-408.956
E-mail: drexhage@immu.fgg.eur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
31
Project number: QLG1-1999-00295
Acronym: TUNEUP
Contract signature: 13/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.553.980 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: E F 2FIN UK
Therapeutic utilisation of a novel enzyme with unique adhesion properties
Two independent paths of research have recently converged with the
finding that an adhesion receptor (vascular adhesion protein-1, VAP) which is
critically involved in the process of leukocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation
in man is a semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO). SSAOs are enzymes
with a hitherto unknown physiological role, which have been indicated to play a
role in pathogenesis of diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. The sudden
convergence of the adhesion and enzymology fields of research has highlighted a
clear need for a partner network consisting of world leading experts in
VAP/SSAO biology to elucidate the function, clinical importance and therapeutic
potential of VAP/SSAO proteins. The multidisciplinary expertise of the partners
(molecular biology, leukocyte trafficking, enzymology, clinical medicine) will
ensure achievement of the project. The results of this project are expected to form
the basis for the future design of novel therapeutics and diagnostic tools for acute
and chronic diseases in which adhesive and activities of VAP/SSAO play a
fundamental role.
Keywords: vascular adhesion protein 1, leukocyte trafficking, enzymology
Co-ordinator:
Sirpa Jalkanen
University of Turku
MediCity Research Laboratory
Tykistokatu 6 A
FIN - 20520 Turku
Finland
Tel: +358-2 333 7007
Fax: +358-2 333 7000
E-mail: srpa.jalkanen@utu.fi
__________________________________________________________________
32
Project number: QLG1-1999-00335
Acronym: HAEMATOPOESIS&CANCER
Contract signature: 4/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 2.510.467 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D F FIN IL NL 3UK
Strategies centred on the understanding of origin, pathophysiology and future
treatment of cancer in the immune haematopoetic system
Our project intends to broaden our knowledge of the molecular
mechanisms, which govern normal cell physiology and are also important for the
development of cancer within the immune-and haematopoetic systems. We have
defined several areas of interest, including basic mechanisms of cell
differentiation/proliferation (intracellular signalling, cell death and cell cycle
regulation) as well as processes particular to the lymphoid cell lineage
(recombination of their genetic material). To specifically address the
multidisciplinary approach that is necessary to tackle the cancer problem, we have
brought together 10 experts in the molecular biology of signal transduction, cell
cycle, cell death and cellular differentiation as well as genetic recombination in
order to better understand the origin and pathophysiology of leukaemia and
lymphoma. Our work will focus on the basic understanding of molecular
mechanisms to build upon our knowledge, which will lay down the foundation for
the identification of targets for future therapy.
Keywords: cancer, haematopoesis, pathophysiology
Co-ordinator:
Tarik Möröy
Universitätsklinikum Essen
Institut für Zellbiologie (Tumorforschung)
Virchowstrasse 173
D - 45122 Essen
Germany
Tel: +49-201 723 3380
Fax: +49-201 723 5904
E-mail: moeroey@uni-essen.de
__________________________________________________________________
33
Project number: QLG1-1999-00516
Acronym: CONNEXINS & DISEASE
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.469.853 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E 3F NL UK 2CH
Intercellular signalling through connexin channels: a key to the understanding
of cardiovascular diseases
The consortium project is to investigate the role of connexins in the
physio(patho)logy of heart and vessels and their involvement in the early
pathogenesis of major cardiovascular disease, by an experimental approach to
which aim European teams will contribute. One of the essential pathways of the
intercellular signalling network, which underlies the functions of all the tissues, is
the cell to cell coupling by means of specialised membrane channels composed of
connexins. In the diverse tissues of the cardiovascular system the cells are
connected by these channels, which mediate signals, controlling functions as,
distinct as, e.g. the co-ordinated contraction of myocytes or smooth muscle cells
or migration and growth of endothelial cells. Disregulation of the connexin
channels interferes with the functions of the cardiovascular system: conversely
chronic alteration of these functions (e.g. fibrillation, hypertension) induces cellsspecific changes in connexin expression either in heart or in vascular wall.
Keywords: cardiovascular, channel, signalling
Co-ordinator:
Daniel Gros
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique DR 12
Délégation Provence Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie du Développement
Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille
Avenue de Luminy, Campus de Luminy, Case 907
F - 13288 Marseille, Cedex 09
France
Tel: +33-4 91 26 97 41
Fax: +33-4 91 26 97 48
E-mail: gros@lgpd.univ-mrs.fr
__________________________________________________________________
34
Project number: QLG1-1999-00549
Acronym: PATOLLOGY
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.454.075 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D I 2IRL 2UK
Human toll-like receptor family in chronic and degenerative diseases
There is a pressing need for more effective treatments for chronic
degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD) This project aims to resolve the molecular mechanisms which
underlie these diseases by focusing on the highly novel family of toll-like
receptors TLRs) whose members have been linked with onset and progression of
inflammatory diseases The project plans to explore all aspects of TLR biology,
from regulation of their expression, to mechanism of action, to role in
inflammatory diseases Several key technologies will be used, including the
generation of knockout mice, animal model of disease, analysis of clinical
samples, genomics and is predicted that such a multidisciplinary approach will
define the role of TLRS in RA and IBD and will suggest new therapies fore these
debilitating diseases
Keywords: toll-like receptors, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis
Co-ordinator:
Paul Moynagh
University College Dublin
Department of Pharmacology
Foster Avenue, Blackrock
IRL - Dublin
Ireland
Tel: +353-1 706 1586
Fax: +353-1 269 2749
E-mail: pmoynagh@macollamh.ucd.ie
__________________________________________________________________
35
Project number: QLG1-1999-00584
Acronym: Friedreich's Ataxia
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.186.489 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B D 2F CH
Molecular and biochemical pathogenesis of Friedreich's ataxia: search for
treatments
The final goal of this project is to identify treatments and outcome
measures for multicenter treatment trials for Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), the most
frequent cause of inherited ataxia and which is of exclusive European/Caucasian
origin. We will develop mouse and cell culture models of FRDA, which will be
used to identify mechanisms by which reduced expression of frataxin, the
defective mitochondrial protein, or expression of mutated frataxin causes cell
death. Possible treatments interfering with the proposed pathogenesis will be
tested in the in vitro and in vivo models. Given its slow progression and the
phenotypic variability, FRDA may be a difficult disease to study for therapeutic
intervention. Therefore, we will try to identify biochemical markers of oxidative
stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which in later therapeutic trials may be
followed as primary outcome measures for the effectiveness of a treatment.
Keywords: Friedriech's ataxia, molecular pathology, drug screening
Co-ordinator:
Michel Koenig
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Delegation Regionale – Alsace
Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC)
Rue Laurent Fries 1
F - 67404 Illkirch
France
Tel: +33-3 88 65 33 99
Fax: +33-3 88 65 32 46
E-mail: mkoenig@igbmc.u-strasbg.fr
__________________________________________________________________
36
Project number: QLG1-1999-00622
Acronym: Inducible Melanoma Model
Contract signature: 4/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 897.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B 2F NL
Development of Anti-Melanoma therapies: the Animal Model Stage
Susceptibility genes and environmental factors contribute to the rising
incidence of melanoma in Europe. Tumour associated antigens on melanomas can
be recognised by immune effectors. These antigens are the focus of
immunotherapy protocols. Information is lacking, however, concerning
expression of tumour associated antigens and the activation status of immune
effectors at initial stages of tumour suppressor gene in melanocytes. The
concordant expression of a tumour-associated antigen will allow monitoring of the
activation status of antigen-specific lymphocytes during tumour progression. This
information is essential for the design of tumour antigen vaccination and other
therapeutic protocols. This project requires a pluridisciplinary effort by groups
involved in (i) development of models of oncogenesis by somatic genetics in
mice; (ii) identification of melanoma associated antigens in humans and; (iii)
monitoring activation or inactivation in vivo and targeting of immune effectors or
antigen presenting cells.
Keywords: anti-melanoma therapies, immunotheraphy, somatic genetics
Co-ordinator:
Anne-Marie Schmitt-Verhulst
Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique DR12
Délégation Provence
Centre d'immunologie de Marseille de Luminy
Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy CASE 906
F - 13288 Marseille
France
Tel: +33-4 91 26 94 06
Fax: +33-4 91 26 94 30
E-mail: verhulst@ciml.univ-mrs.fr
__________________________________________________________________
37
Project number: QLG1-1999-00665
Acronym: HFER
Contract signature: 3/02/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.296.875 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2F I IL P
Regulation of expression and function of HFE, a novel regulatory protein of
iron homeostasis: production of new tools to hereditary hemochromatosis and
associated chronic diseases
HFE molecules have a pivotal role in controlling iron metabolism, as best
exemplified by classical hereditary hemochromatosis, the most common
hereditary disorder in European populations. Tools have been and will be
developed (i.e. HFE specific monoclonal antibodies, KO and HFE transgenic
mice) in the clustered laboratories to define HFE expression and mode of action in
normal tissues and malignant cells, in cell activation, in virus-infected cells
(specially with chronic viruses such as hepatitis) and in various iron-overload
related pathologies. Complementary approaches (characterisation of HFE
promoter, biochemistry of HFE, iron metabolism exploration, cellular
immunology) will be combined for a comprehensive resolution of iron
metabolism control. A particular effort to dissect the connections that exists
between iron metabolism, HFE and immune system will be made. Experimental
tools and gained knowledge will be utilised to explore human pathological
situations associated with iron disorders, their early diagnosis and the
development of novel therapeutic modalities.
Keywords: hemachromatosis, HFE, transgenic/KO mice
Co-ordinator:
François Lemonnier
Institut Pasteur
Unite D'immunite Cellulaire Antivirale
28 Rue du Docteur Roux
F - 75724 Paris, Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33-1 45 68 88 64
Fax: +33-1 45 68 89 42
E-mail: flemonn@pasteur.fr
__________________________________________________________________
38
Project number: QLG1-1999-00674
Acronym: Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 3.095.947 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E 3F 2I S
Phenotypes and genes linked to insulin resistance and risk for type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a major global health problem, which is undergoing an
epidemic development. Effective intervention and treatment require the
understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved. The objectives
of this project are to identify at least 800 healthy first-degree relatives to Type 2
diabetic subjects and a similar control group lacking known genetic
predisposition. Extensive and novel technology will be used to characterise
clinical subphenotypes. Adipose and muscle biopsies will be obtained for analyses
of gene expression using the novel cDNA array technology. Differentially
expressed cDNAs will be identified and cloned and biological functions of novel
proteins identified. Transgenic/knock-out animals will be generated to identify in
vivo functions. In parallel, focused research will be performed aimed at
identifying candidate genes, including intracellular signalling molecules and
nuclear receptor transcription factors.
Keywords: insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cDNA array technology
Co-ordinator:
Ulf Smith
Göteborg University
Institute of Internal Medicine
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
S - 41345 Göteborg
Sweden
Tel: +46-31 342 1104
Fax: +46-31 829 138
E-mail: ulf.smith@medicine.gu.se
__________________________________________________________________
39
Project number: QLG1-1999-00739
Acronym: Apoptosis Mechanisms
Contract signature: 13/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 3.525.612 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B 2D 2F 2I IL IRL 2UK
Fundamental mechanisms of apoptosis/cell death regulation in normal and
cancer cells
The general objective of this program is to understand the principal
mechanisms governing apoptosis or programmed cell death, both in normal cells
and in cancer cells, to unravel differences in physiology and pathology of cell
death regulation and to design novel strategies for the correction of diseaseassociated imbalances in cell death regulation. In particular, we are interested in
understanding how cancer cells become apoptosis resistant and how this
resistance can be overcome. A consortium of 11 leading research teams from 7
different countries will identify and characterise novel cell death inducing or cell
death inhibitory pathways via a multidisciplinary approach integrating advanced
technologies of Molecular and Cellular Biology. In addition, the group will
monitor cancer cells for alterations in such cell death modulatory pathways and
manipulate them to kill chemotherapy-resistant tumour cells.
Keywords: apoptosis, cancer, chemotherapy
Co-ordinator:
Guido Kroemer
Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
Delegation Ile-De-France Est, CNRS ERS 1984
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Development
7, Rue Guy Moquet
F - 94801 Villejuif
France
Tel: +33-1 49 58 35 13
Fax: +33-1 49 58 35 09
E-mail: kroemer@infobiogen.fr
__________________________________________________________________
40
Project number: QLG1-1999-00851
Acronym: New P53 Cancer Therapy
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.286.045 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B D EE EL FIN S
New strategies for the treatment of cancer by targeting conformational variants
of the tumour suppressor P53
Cancer is still one of the great killers in the European Community despite
significant improvements in treatment regimens. Thus, development of novel
strategies for treatment is still a major challenge for biomedical science. One of
the key problems in tackling cancer is that treatments kill both normal and cancer
cells. Thus, the goal is to develop therapies that are selective for cancer cells. The
gene encoding the p53 tumour suppressor is mutated in more than 50 % of all
human cancers, which makes it possibly the most attractive target for cancer
therapies. This study is designed to characterise differences between normal and
altered forms of p53 that allow a rational design of targeted manipulation of p53
function by chemical agents or peptides. The ultimate goal of this project is to
develop therapeutic compounds that would allow one to selectively attack tumour
cells that express mutant p53 proteins.
Keywords: cancer treatment, tumour suppressor, p53
Co-ordinator:
Horst-Werner Stürzbecher
Medical University of Lübeck
AG. Tumour Genetics/Institute of Human Genetics
Ratzburger Allee 160
D - 23538 Lübeck
Germany
Tel: + 49-451 500 2996
Fax: +49-451 500 4861
E-mail: stuerzbe@medinf.mu-luebeck.de
__________________________________________________________________
41
Project number: QLG1-1999-00866
Acronym: ACETYLON
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.530.645 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2F I NL 2UK
Histone acetyl-transferases and deacetylases: new target for cancer therapy
The balance between cell proliferation and differentiation, which
deregulation is central to carcinogenesis, is controlled through the interactions
between key proteins. These proteins are sensitive to gain-of-function or loss-offunction mutations in cancer and thus represent potential targets for cancer
therapy. Recent basic advances on cell-fate controlling regulatory pathways have.
demonstrated a key role for histone acetyl-transferases (HATs) and histone
deacetylases (HDs). The objectives are: 1- to further characterise, at the molecular
level, regulatory pathways involving HATs / HDs in normal cells; 2- to analyse
HATs / HDs in cancer cells; 3- to demonstrate that restoring normal function of
these enzymes in cancer cells, by modifying their interaction with other proteins,
reverses the phenotype. After completion of these steps, drug screening will be set
up to reveal new drugs directed against these enzymes.
Keywords: acetylation, cancer therapy, differentiation
Co-ordinator:
Annick Harel-Bellan
Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
CNRS UPR 9079 - Oncogénèse, Différenciation et Transduction du Signal
7, Rue Guy Moquet
F - 94801 Villejuif
France
Tel: +33-1 49 58 33 85
Fax: +33-1 47 26 88 36
E-mail: ahbellan@vjf.cnrs.fr
__________________________________________________________________
42
Project number: QLG1-1999-00870
Acronym: MYO-CLUSTER
Contract signature: 25/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 2.397.485 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D DK 5F 4I NL 2UK
Genetic resolution of MYOpathies: European CLUSTER
The MYO-cluster is a cluster presenting a collection of three projects,
which have been designed and prepared throughout 1998. The working group was
formed in late 1997, to become a cluster only when the EU published information
on such a possibility. The working group, up to that point, was dedicated to coordinating research efforts across Europe by introducing planning, monitoring and
control functions into scientific collaborations. A wide number of participants
were involved and a total of seven projects were prepared. For this call, three of
the projects were considered to be particularly relevant and homogenous to be
presented under this cluster.
Keywords: myopathies, muscular dystrophy, genetics
Co-ordinator:
Ketty Schwartz
Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
Ur523 - Institut De Myologie - Hôpital Pitié-Salpetrière
47, Boulevard de 1'Hôpital
F - 75 651 Paris, Cedex 13
France
Tel: +33-1 49 28 46 42
Fax: +33-1 43 44 15 48
E-mail: chemla@st-antoine.inserm.fr
__________________________________________________________________
43
Project number: QLG1-1999-01007
Acronym: MAFAPS
Contract signature: 25/02/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.945.823 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D F FIN 2I NL 2UK
Macrophage function and stability of the atherosclerotic plaque
In the EU, cardiovascular disease accounts for 40% of deaths and for
about 13% of productivity man-years lost due to illness. Cardiovascular disease is
due mainly to coronary or cerebral atherosclerosis. However, the principal
determinant of illness is often not atherosclerosis per se, but rather the presence of
unstable atherosclerotic plaques which are prone to rupture. This may lead to
thrombosis and occlusion of the overlying artery, leading to myocardial infarction
or stroke. One of most important cell types in both the development of
atherosclerosis and in determining plaque stability is the macrophage. The present
project will examine macrophage function and gene expression in vitro, in
transgenic and non-transgenic animal models, and in human arterial tissue with a
view to identifying targets for therapy leading to plaque stabilisation. Our findings
will have implications for other inflammatory and degenerative diseases in which
macrophages are involved.
Keywords: atherosclerosis, plaque stability, macrophage function
Co-ordinator:
Paul Cullen
Medizinische Einrichtungen
der Westfälischen Wilhelms Universität Münster
Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin
Albert-Schweritzer-Straße 33
D - 48149 Münster
Germany
Tel: +49-251 835 6181
Fax: +49-251 835 6181
E-mail: cullen@uni-muenster.de
__________________________________________________________________
44
Project number: QLG1-1999-01036
Acronym: SILENT
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 7
EU contribution: 2.036.656 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D E 3I 3UK CH
Signal transduction pathways in leukocyte transendothelial migration
Leukocyte extravasation is a critical process in inflammation and its
derangement is pathogenic in many human diseases. Goal of this project is the
molecular dissection of leukocyte-EC contact-dependent signalling pathways
involved in promoting leukocyte extravasation. Specific aims to be achieved are:
to investigate the mechanistic basis of chemokine-induced leukocyte responses
functionally associated with the extravasation process; to analyse the role of EC
molecules engaged in leukocyte adhesion in promoting contact dependant EC
activation and in controlling contiguous EC barrier function during leukocyte
transmigration; to develop strategies based on short term genetic or biochemical
modifications of the endothelium in vivo to modulate leukocyte extravasation.
The results should provide the basic knowledge to develop novel therapeutic tools
for the modulation of transendothelial migration by circulating leukocytes.
Keywords: leukocyte, endothelium, inflammation
Co-ordinator:
Pardi Ruggero
Fondazione Centro San Raffaele del Monte Tabor
Human Immunology Unit- DIBIT
Via Olgettina, 60
I - 20132 Milan
Italy
Tel: +39-02 2643 4731
Fax: +39-02 2643 4723
E-mail: pardi.ruggero@hsr.it
__________________________________________________________________
45
Project number: QLG1-1999-01090
Acronym: WASPNEST
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.603.674 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2E F I 2S UK
Multidisciplinary approach to understanding the pathophysiology of the
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome towards improved healthcare
The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked recessive
haematological disorder characterised by immune deficiency and
microthrombocytopenia, which arises from mutations in the WAS gene. In the
absence of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the majority of WAS patients
suffer considerable morbidity and eventually die from their disease. To enhance
our understanding of the disease process and to facilitate the development of
improved and standardised therapies, this is a multidisciplinary project to
investigate the natural history of the disease and the cell biology of the WAS
protein (WASp). Clinical outcomes in WAS will be assessed by longitudinal
study of symptomatology, therapy and quality of life. These parameters will be
correlated with information on genotype and cellular function. The interaction of
WASp with the actin cytoskeleton and cellular signalling pathways will be
analysed in detail, together with processes which are highly dependant on
cytoskeletal rearrangement for normal function of immune cells and platelets. On
the background of this knowledge it will possible devise novel strategies based on
somatic gene transfer and to improve the quality of life for patients.
Keywords: pathophysiology, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, somatic gene transfer
Co-ordinator:
Adrian James Thrasher
University College London
Molecular Immunology Unit
Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford Street
UK - London WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-171 813 8490
Fax: +44-171 831 4366
E-mail: a.thrasher@ich.ucl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
46
Project number: QLG1-1999-01341
Acronym: TACIT
Contract signature: 19/01/2000
Area: 7.1.
EU contribution: 1.299.356 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 4D E S 3UK CH
The role of telomerase in human cancer development and an evaluation of its
potential as a therapeutic target
Telomerase is an attractive target at which to aim novel cancer drugs
because it maintains tumour cell immortality and is inactive in the majority of
normal human cells. In this project we will determine the precise molecular
mechanisms by which telomerase is repressed in normal cells and activated in
human cancer progression. Genetic inhibitors of telomerase will be developed and
used to provide unequivocal evidence that anti- telomerase strategies induce
replicative senescence in cancer cells, in the absence of cellular resistance
mechanisms. Novel reagents and procedures will be established for use in
telomerase-based cancer diagnosis and in prognostic evaluations. Small molecule
lead compounds (from a natural product library) that act as potent inhibitors of
telomerase will be identified and characterised, as a basis for anti-telomerase drug
development.
Keywords: cancer, telomerase, therapy
Co-ordinator:
Robert F. Newbold
Brunel University
Department of Biological Sciences
Kingston Lane
UK - Uxbridge UB8 3PH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1895 203 090
Fax: +44 1895 274 248
E-mail: robert.newbold@brunel.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
47
Project number: QLG1-2000-00047
Acronym: EUROGLYCAN
Contract signature: 21/09/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.069.556 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2B D E NL UK 2CH
A systematic approach towards the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of
CDGS, a novel group of inborn metabolic disorders caused by defects of
glycosylation
EUROGLYCAN will focus on a novel group of rare metabolic diseases
caused by defects in protein glycosylation. The defects result in mental
retardation, severe disease and physical handicap. Our major aims are to: 1)
develop effective tools and promote early diagnosis; 2) collate patient
information, useful for the identification and classification of novel types; 3) raise
awareness, because the disorders are largely unrecognised; 4) establish a patient
group large enough for systematic investigations and clinical trials. To fulfil these
aims, 1) a database will be created, maintained by the reference centre and
accessible through Internet; 2) the material will be reviewed and a depository of
cell lines will be generated; 3) diagnostic services will be made widely available;
4) interesting cases will be selected for research; 5) (mouse)models will be
developed; 6) collaborations will be sought with companies for the development
of therapies.
Keywords: CGDS, metabolic disease, protein glycosylation
Co-ordinator:
Gert Matthijs
Catholic University of Leuven
Center for Human Genetics
Herestraat 49
B-3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel: +32-16 346070
Fax: +32-16 346060
E-mail: gert.matthijs@med.kuleuven.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
48
Project number: QLG1-2000-00387
Acronym: MCMDM-1VWD
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.317.672 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2CZ 2D DK E 3F 3I NL 2S 4UK
Molecular and clinical markers for diagnosis and management of type 1 von
Willebrands disease
Type 1 von Willebrands disease (VWD) is the most common inherited
bleeding disorder and results from deficiency of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a
plasma protein required for normal haemostasis. Diagnosis is based on laboratory
tests and a bleeding history, but can be equivocal. Precise diagnosis is important
for the patient and family; misdiagnosis leads to unnecessary medical and social
burdens. This project will determine molecular and clinical markers for the
diagnosis and management of type 1 VWD by assessing 200 families with type 1
VWD, recruited by 12 Partners. The phenotypic basis of the diagnosis will be reexamined utilising International standards and result confirmation, new tests will
be assessed and the genetic basis determined by VWF gene analysis and
expression. Data on precise molecular, clinical and laboratory markers for type 1
VWD will be produced.
Keywords: molecular and clinical markers, diagnosis and management, von
Willebrands disease
Co-ordinator:
Ian Peake
University of Sheffield
Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Glossop Road
UK – Sheffield S10 2JF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-114 2712591
Fax: +44-114 2721104
E-mail: i.r.peake@sheffield.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
49
Project number: QLG1-2000-00464
Acronym: IgAN-Consortium
Contract signature: 21/09/2000
Area: 7.3.
EU contribution: 734.466 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EL 4I CH
Development of a genomic DNA bank of Iga Nephropathy (Igan) patients and
family members. New trends in genetics for the early diagnosis of familial Igan
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most relevant for of glomerulonephritis in
Europe. It occurs in early adulthood and leads to end stage renal disease in more
than 25% of patients after 10 years from the onset of the disease. Thus,
considering that young adults need periodic dialysis treatment, which is very
expensive, IgAN is a socio-economic problem for European countries. This
disease is often asymptomatic in family members of IgAN patients. This project is
devoted to develop a genomic DNA bank of IgAN patients and family members
(WP1) for the identification of potential susceptibility chromosomal region (s) conferring genotype to familial IgAN (WP2) and then for the identification of
genetic marker (s) which individualise susceptibility-conferring genotype to the
disease (WP3). The identified gene(s) will be used by the SME, involved in the
project, for the development of the DNA kit for the diagnosis of familial IgAN
(WP4).
Keywords: IgA nephropathy, genomic DNA bank, genotype, genetic marker
Co-ordinator:
Francesco Paolo Schena
University of Bari
Department of Emergency and Transplantation
Division of Nephrology
Piazza Guilio Cesare 11
I - 70123 Bari
Italy
Tel: +39-080 5592237
Fax: +39-080 5575710
E-mail: fp.schena@nephro.uniba.it
__________________________________________________________________
50
Project number: QLG1-2000-00496
Contract signature: 9/01/2001
EU contribution: 658.962 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B D E NO S UK
Acronym: EUROCELL
Area: 7.3.
Duration: 36 month
European partnership for autologous chondrocyte implantation
Injuries to the articular cartilage of major joints are difficult to treat and
with time can lead to osteoarthritis. The project is to support the further
collaboration of six European partners to improve and to extend the tissue
engineering technique of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for the longterm repair of articular cartilage defects. This has the potential to improve the
activity and quality of life of the individual and to reduce the long-term costs of
healthcare across the European Community. Central to the project is the
establishment of a common database of patient symptoms, surgical and biological
variables and outcome measures, together with a regular Intranet link over which
the data will be discussed. The concerted action will deliver harmonised
guidelines on patient selection and surgical technique and recommendations for
good laboratory practice in autologous cell culture. Further objectives are to
enhance training, develop skills and to encourage the development of ACI in new
European centres.
Keywords: articular cartilage, osteoarthritis, autologous chondrocyte implantation
Co-ordinator:
James Richardson
Keele University
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic
and District Hospital NHS Trust
Gobowen
UK – Oswestry SY10 7AG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1691 404386
Fax: +44 1691 404071
E-mail: rda00@uso.keele.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
51
Project number: QLG1-2000-00513
Acronym: Treatment of HI
Contract signature: 15/02/2001
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 458.988 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B 3D E 7F 2FIN 2I 2IL 8UK
Evolving evidence based treatment strategies for infantile hyperinsulinism using
clinical, genetic and cell biological insights into a heterogeneous disease
Infantile hyperinsulinism (HI) is a rare devastating heterogeneous genetic
disease. Germline or somatic mutations in one of four genes (resulting in loss /
reduction of ATP dependent potassium currents in the pancreatic b-cell
membrane) are found in 50 % of individuals. Overall 35% of patients have a
somatic mutation within an abnormal focus of pancreas (foHI). The genetic basis
in other patients is obscure. This project will (a) screen new candidate genes
identified through study of clinical phenotype and b-cell biology in vitro; b)
evolve strategies to identify foHI early and facilitate early specialist surgery in
supraregional surgical centres; (c) critically evaluate / develop new treatments for
non-foHI; (d) establish a multinational patient / genetic database; (e) establish and
cryopreserve HI b-cell lines for future genetic manipulation and transplantation
studies.
Keywords: infantile hyperinsulinism, somatic mutations, genetic manipulation
Co-ordinator:
Keith Lindley
Institute of Child Health
University College London
Department of Surgery
30 Guilford Street
UK – London WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-171 9052111
Fax: +44-171 4046181
E-mail: k.lindley@ich.ucl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
52
Project number: QLG1-2000-00514
Acronym: JSLE/JDM outcome
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 430.900 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A B CZ D DK E EL F FIN HU I IL L LV NL NO P S SK 2UK
CH
Coresets of outcome measures and definition of improvement for juvenile
systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile dermatomyositis
Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and juvenile
dermatomyositis (JDM) are rare conditions associated with substantial morbidity,
monetary costs. JSLE and JDM present with disease- and age-related
characteristics that differentiate them from the adult counterpart. Their treatment
is unsatisfactory and drug efficacy evaluation is hampered by the absence of
standardised disease outcome measures. Consequently, drug safety/efficacy data
are from small, uncontrolled, non-comparable case series. Our goals are 1) to
identify a core set of outcome variables for JSLE and JDM and 2) to use the core
sets to develop a definition of improvement for JSLE and JDM, to determine
whether individual patients respond adequately to therapy. These goals will be the
second effort of 22 countries European research network called " Paediatric
Rheumatology International Trials Organisation - PRINTO" created with a grant
under the 4th Framework Programme.
Keywords: juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis,
drug safety
Co-ordinators:
1) Alberto Martini
2) Nicolino Ruperto
IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo
Clinica Pediatrica: Pediatria Generale e Reumatologia
Piazzale Golgi, 2
I - 27100 Pavia
Italy
Tel: +39-0382 502025
Fax: +39-0382 502026
E-mail: 1) amartini@smatteo.pv.it
2) nruperto@smatteo.pv.it
__________________________________________________________________
53
Project number: QLG1-2000-00562
Acronym: OLIM
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.839.100 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E 2F I UK
In-vivo molecular imaging with adjustable oligonucleotide ligands
Our aim is to link non-invasive imaging and nucleic acid biotechnology to
create new in vivo imaging methods. Oligonucleotide ligands termed aptamers
bind with high affinity biological targets and can be obtained from large
combinatorial libraries. Modified aptamers engineered to resist degradation and
target molecular markers of disease are thus promising candidates both as
diagnostic tools and as therapeutic agents. Using non-invasive imaging procedures
(PET), we will evaluate in animal models of disease the potential of stable
aptamers for diagnostic and therapy. This project merges 6 groups specialised in
the following fields: i) biologically stable aptamer production (including a leading
biotech company); ii) study of biomarkers in animal disease models and iii) in
vivo imaging methods. The major spin-off expected is the creation of generic
methods for diagnosis and evaluation of new therapies.
Keywords: molecular imaging, oligonucleotide ligands, molecular markers
Co-ordinator:
Bertrand Tavitian
INSERM
U 334
4 Place du Général Leclerc
F - 91401 Orsay
France
Tel: +33-1 69867779
Fax: +33-1 69867739
E-mail: tavitian@shfj.cea.fr
__________________________________________________________________
54
Project number: QLG1-2000-00619
Acronym: Proteinuric diseases
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.025.589 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: A 3D EE 2FIN I NL
Nephrin in proteinuric diseases: development of diagnostics, prognostic and
treatment modalities
In spite of its extensive medico-economic impact, proteinuria remains a
poorly understood symptom of the kidney glomerular filtration barrier
dysfunction. At the same time the incidence of end-stage renal disease is
increasing in all European counties with only expensive and untargeted treatments
available. Here we will use the most up-to-date findings and techniques of
molecular biology combined with the extensively shown expertise at the area
proposed, to bridge the findings of basic molecular research to direct patient
treatment. The goal is to develop markers suitable for early diagnostics,
prevention, progression and prognosis for patients with proteinuric diseases. The
functional genomics of a key molecule for proteinuria, nephrin, as recently
identified, will thus be thoroughly studied and the same potential of the emerging
binding proteins evaluated. Devices for early diagnostics and patient segmentation
will be worked out, devices for cDNA array chips for complete kidney glomerular
gene expression developed, the intellectual property rights appropriately protected
and connections to diagnostics industry developed.
Keywords: proteinuria, nephrin, kidney glomerular gene expression
Co-ordinator:
Harry Holthöfer
University of Helsinki/The Haartman Institute
Bacteriology and Immunology
Haartmaninkatu 3, PB21
FIN - 00014 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358-9 19126373
Fax: +358-9 19126382
E-mail: harry.holthofer@helsinki.fi
55
Project number: QLG1-2000-00651
Acronym: GLAUCAD
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.604.836 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B 4D EL 2I P
Glaucoma prevention by computer aided diagnostics
Clinical and engineering experts co-operate to investigate the onset and
progress of glaucomatous damages by utilisation of an existing optical data bank
of about 16000 pairs of slides. Based on modern computer capacity, a software
tool will be developed to reconstruct 3D images, calculate significant structures
and volumes and superimpose images of different stages in a semi-automated
way. This technique will be applied for the second examination of the existing
slides. The medical findings will be reported as assistance for other physicians
and the software package will be edited for direct use in clinics or via a medical
service MTU.
Keywords: glaucoma prevention, computer-aided diagnosis, 3D images
Co-ordinator:
Gert Goch
Bremen Institute of Technology and Applied Work Science
University of Bremen
Metrology, Automation and Quality Science (MAQ)
Hochschulring 20 PO Box 330560
D - 28359 Bremen
Germany
Tel: +49-421 2185515
Fax: +49-421 2185625
E-mail: gg@biba.uni-bremen.de
__________________________________________________________________
56
Project number: QLG1-2000-00687
Acronym: Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Contract signature: 29/12/2001
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.699.999 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 10D 2DK E F I 2NL UK
Molecular characterisation and identification of biological risk factors in
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
In the previous Biomed II program, a European concerted action of
clinicians and pathologists has been established, to define the clinical
characteristics as well as the precise morphological criteria for the
subclassification of MCL. Based on this established European infrastructure, we
are planning to extend our focus of research to the basic molecular risk factors in
MCL. This research network is structured into 4 differentially focussed work
packages, each of them representing an international collaboration of several
research groups: (1) primary genetic alterations and markers of maturation (2)
Cell cycle dysregulation in MCL (3) Secondary alterations and sequential analysis
in MCL (4) Functional studies of MCL. This approach will identify high-risk
patients and finally direct the development of future innovative treatment options.
Keywords: molecular characterisation, biological risk factors, mantle cell
lymphoma
Co-ordinators:
1) Wolfgang Hiddeman
2) Martin Dreyling
Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
Department of Medicine III
Marchioninistr. 15
D - 81377 Munich
Germany
Tel: +049-89 70952550
Fax: +049-89 70958875
E-mail: sekretariat.med.klinik.iii@med3.med.uni.muenchen
__________________________________________________________________
57
Project number: QLG1-2000-00690
Acronym: OPTIMAMM
Contract signature: 14/11/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.672.623 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D EL 2I 2NL S UK
Optical mammography: imaging and characterisation of breast lesions by
pulsed near-infrared laser light
Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of death of women under 50 years
and x-ray mammography suffers from a large number of false positive results.
Near-infrared laser pulse mammography is a novel non-invasive imaging
technique to improve detection and characterisation of breast cancer,
supplementing conventional mammography. Multinational clinical trials will be
performed at four European sites on 450 patients using improved prototypes of
laser-pulse mammographs. For analysis of optical mammograms refined semiempirical and rigorous mathematical methods will be developed. Through a
concerted effort of all clinical and technical partners, scattering and absorption
coefficients of normal breast tissue and lesions will be determined to improve the
scientific basis of optical mammography. From the results of clinical trials the
diagnostic accuracy of laser-pulse mammography will be assessed and compared
to conventional mammography techniques.
Keywords: optical mammography, breast lesions, pulsed near-infrared laser light
Co-ordinator:
Herbert Rinneberg
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
FL 8.12 "Biomedizinische Optik und NMR-Messtechnik"
Abbestrasse 2-12
D - 10587 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49-30 3481404
Fax: +49-30 3481502
E-mail: herbert.rinneberg@ptb.de
__________________________________________________________________
58
Project number: QLG1-2000-00815
Acronym: Cell Therapy
Contract signature: 14/11/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.207.204 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2NO UK CH
Development of new therapies for brain tumours using encapsulated cell
technology
The main goal of this project is to develop, produce and validate a cellbased targeted therapeutic delivery system comprising cells encapsulated in an
ultrapure alginate gel. Cell lines will be developed which produce tumour growth
inhibitory substances such as antiangiogenic proteins (endostatin, angiostatin) as
well as antibodies to cancer cell growth receptors. The encapsulated cell prototype
will be evaluated for efficacy against brain tumours, for which there is no
adequate treatment today. An ultrapure alginate will be developed and
characterised which will meet regulatory standards for implantation into the brain.
The final step in the project is to document the preclinical efficacy of this alginate
encapsulated cell therapy towards brain tumours in small animal models such as
rats and in spontaneously occurring brain tumours in dogs.
Keywords: brain tumour, encapsulated cell technology, endostatin, angiostatin
Co-ordinator:
Michael Dornish
Pronova Biomedical a.s
Gaustadalleen 21
NO - 0349 Oslo
Norway
Tel: +47 22958650
Fax: +47 22696470
E-mail: mdornish@pronova.no
__________________________________________________________________
59
Project number: QLG1-2000-01019
Acronym: EUROCRAN
Contract signature: 13/09/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.849.597 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2DK E FIN 2I IRL 2NL NO S 4UK
European collaboration on craniofacial anomalies
This project is designed to improve the management and understanding of
craniofacial anomalies (CFA). Integration of previous networks established to
investigate clinical care (Eurocleft.) and gene-environment interaction in early
human development (ESF network) provides, for the first time in Europe,
adequate clinical resources and multidisciplinary critical mass. The work includes:
1) a multicentre randomised control trial of surgery for orofacial clefting (OFC);
2) a multicentre population based case-parental triad study of the role of specific
genes, gene-environment interaction and gene-gene interaction in the aetiology of
OFC; 3) a chromosomal approach to the identification of candidate genes for
OFC; 4) development of sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for mutations
underlying monogenic CFA; and 5) an informatics resource to underpin the other
work and provide a dynamic resource to disseminate findings, assist CFA
researchers and promote good practice in clinical services. The project will be
integrated with and provide leadership for, a proposed global effort in the
treatment and prevention of CFA.
Keywords: orofacial clefting, gene-gene interaction, candidate genes
Co-ordinator:
William Christie Shaw
The Victoria University of Manchester
Department of Oral Health and Development
Dental School
Higher Cambridge Street
UK - M15 6FH Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-161 275-6620
Fax: +44-161 275-6794
E-mail: bill.shaw@man.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
60
Project number: QLG1-2000-01091
Acronym: ARVC/D
Contract signature: 28/12/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.469.480 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EL F 3I PL UK
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia: clinical registry
and data base, evaluation of therapies, pathology registry, DNA banking
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is
a progressive, genetically determined cardiac disease, which is a major cause of
unexpected sudden death in the young and athlete in Europe. Because of its rarity,
there is a need to collect data on a large scale, to set up a clinical and pathological
registry to evaluate different treatments and to create a bank of DNA from
affected families. The proposed research is a multidisciplinary multicentre
collaborative study to investigate clinico-pathologic and genetic aspects of
ARVC/D with these aims: a) prospective longitudinal follow-up study to identify
patients at risk of cardiac arrest; b) evaluation of different therapies efficacy; c)
ultrastructural and molecular pathology study to understand the etiopathogenesis;
d) genetic studies with the ultimate goal to identify the specific defective genes
and the influence of the genotype on the clinical course.
Keywords: arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, molecular
pathology, etiopathogenesis
Co-ordinator:
Gaetano Thiene
University of Padua Medical School
Institute of Pathological Anatomy
Via A. Gabelli, 61
I - 35121 Padova
Italy
Tel: +39-049 8272283
Fax: +39-049 8272284
E-mail: cardpath@ux1.unipd.it
__________________________________________________________________
61
Project number: QLG1-2000-01131
Acronym: PROTEASES
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.942.979 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B DK E F I S UK
A paradigm for the establishment of new prognostic markers for common
cancers: protease systems as indicators of invasive potential
A rational approach to focussed adjuvant therapy is urgently needed in the
management of patients suffering from the most common cancers; the ability to
identify patients at high risk would enable most cost-effective use of the
treatments available. This project assembles a collaborative effort from seven
leading European cancer research laboratories to identify new prognostic marker
sets based on a systematic exploration of tissue protease systems functionally
involved in tumour progression. The partners will apply state of the art molecular
biology to identify the most relevant novel proteases, before embarking upon their
quantitative measurement in large collections of patient material. The clinical
studies for assessment of prognostic significance will examine the prognostic
significance of each marker and derive marker sets, which optimise prognostic
power. Commercially attractive kits will be assembled for the new marker sets.
Keywords: tissue protease systems, tumour progression, marker set
Co-ordinator:
Keld Dano
Copenhagen University Hospital
The Finsen Laboratory
Stranboulevarden
DK - 2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45-35 455615
Fax: +45-35 385450
E-mail: keld.dano@finsenlab.dk
__________________________________________________________________
62
Project number: QLG1-2000-01137
Acronym: EURNETGEN
Contract signature: 11/10/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.256.041 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B D 3F I 3UK
European network to develop genetic markers for essential hypertension
We propose to form a consortium of cardiovascular clinicians, molecular
geneticists and epidemiologists to develop molecular markers of cardiovascular
disease, which will be used for diagnosis and prognosis in essential hypertension
and its end-organ damage. The overall aim will be to use these markers as early
diagnostic tests for the identification of high-risk populations and for designing
new preventive and therapeutic measures. This project will combine high fidelity
phenotyping, high throughput genotyping with 5000 single nucleotide
polymorphism and sophisticated statistical strategies. We will be able to identify
genes causally related to hypertension and its complications and thus improve the
ability of the European Community to introduce prophylactic and therapeutics
measures to reduce the epidemic of cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: molecular markers, genotyping, single nucleotide polymorphism
Co-ordinator:
Anna F Dominiczak
University of Glasgow
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics
44 Church Street
UK – Glasgow G11 6NT
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-141 2112896
Fax: +44-141 21111763
E-mail: ad7e@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
63
Project number: QLG1-2000-01185
Acronym: BIOAIR
Contract signature: 22/12/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.491.887 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B D 2EL F 2I 2NL PL S 2UK
Longitudinal assessment of clinical course and BIOmarkers in severe chronic
AIRway disease
This aim of the project is to create new knowledge about severe asthma,
which is a major chronic debilitating disease with a great health economic impact.
The project derives from a clinically orientated consortium of scientists who
believe that substantial progress will require a detailed characterisation of the
phenotype of patients. This will be accomplished in a longitudinal study of 450
patients from all parts of Europe. Cohorts of severe asthmatics will be compared
with mild asthmatics and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). The work packages include repeated application of modern clinical
measurements and exploitation of new molecular methods to define biomarkers of
chronic airway remodelling. The outcome of the work will be better diagnostic
and prognostic criteria for severe airway disease and new targets for interventions.
Keywords: clinical course, biomarkers, severe asthma
Co-ordinator:
Sven-Erik Dahlén
Karolinska Institutet
The National Institute of Environmental Medicine
Scheelevägen 2, PO Box 210
S -171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: +46-8 728 7203
Fax: +46-8 300 619
E-mail: se.dahlen@imm.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
64
Project number: QLG1-2000-01230
Acronym: Cancer and MSI
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 918.399 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: DK FIN 2I NL SK CH
Novel approaches towards the diagnosis and therapy of tumours with
microsatellite instability
A large percentage of tumours from hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer
(HNPCC) patients, as well as more than 15% of sporadic colon tumours, display
microsatellite instability (MSI), which has been linked to a defect in mismatch
correction (MMR). Tumour cells with high MSI (MSI-H) differ from other cancer
cells: they are largely diploid and the oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes
mutated in them are frequently different from those altered in sporadic disease
without MSI. We shall compare the response of normal and MSI-H cells to a
series of chemotherapeutic and radiomimetic agents, as well as to ionising and
non-ionising radiation. The principal aim of this program is to exploit the
identified differences in cancer therapy, by devising ways of selectively killing
cells with MSI. The second goal of the study is to use our findings to develop
new, facile, diagnostic strategies for the identification of at-risk individuals.
Keywords: non-plyposis colon cancer, microsatellite instability, diagnostic
strategies
Co-ordinator:
Josef Jiricny
University of Zürich
Institute of Medical Radiobiology
August Forel-Strasse 7
CH - 8008 Zürich
Switzerland
Tel: +41-1 634 8910
Fax: +41-1 634 8904
E-mail: jiricny@imr.unizh.ch
__________________________________________________________________
65
Project number: QLG1-2000-01260
Acronym: ErbB in Breast Tumour
Contract signature: 30/11/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.475.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D FIN 2HU IL
ErbB2-directed immunotherapy of breast cancer: clinical, biochemical and
biophysical approaches toward enhancing efficacy and response rate
ErbB-2 is over expressed in relatively aggressive human breast tumours.
When administered to patients together with chemotherapy, monoclonal
antibodies to ErbB- 2 (Trastuzumab(R)) effectively arrest tumours. Despite the
great promise of this emerging modality, for an unknown reason many patients do
not respond or develop intensivity. The study will address the underlying
molecular mechanism with the hope of enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Cooverexpression of topoisomerase II biased crosstalk between ErbB-2 will be tested
in clinical specimens, tumour-bearing animals and in cultured cells. Likewise, the
potential synergistic effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and benzoquinoid
ansamycins will be examined in preclinical models. These studies are expected to
better define patients eligible for therapy, reduce treatment costs and identify
novel strategies of combination therapy.
Keywords: ErbB-2, tumour inhibitors, benzoquinoid ansamycins
Co-ordinator:
Jorma Isola
University of Tampere
Institute of Medical Technology
Lenkkeilijaenkatu 8, PO Box 607
FIN - 33520 Tampere
Finland
Tel: +358-3 2156729
Fax: +358-3 2158923
E-mail: bljois@uta.fi
__________________________________________________________________
66
Project number: QLG1-2000-01262
Acronym: NNIPPS
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 2.055.040 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2F 2UK
Neuroprotection and natural history in Parkinson Plus syndromes: a clinical
trial of the efficacy and safety of riluzole in Parkinson Plus syndromes
The Parkinson-Plus syndromes, Multiple System Atrophy and Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy (MSA & PSP) are rapidly progressive neurodegenerative
diseases, leading to severe disability and death. They are orphan diseases with
neither symptomatic nor curative therapy. We will (i) establish whether the
antiexcitotoxic drug riluzole can slow the disease progression, (ii) provide for the
first time prospective data on their natural history. In U. K., France and Germany,
800 patients, stratified on MSA or PSP, will randomly be assigned to placebo or
riluzole and followed double blind for 36 months. The primary efficacy criterion
is survival. The project will validate diagnostic staging, new assessment
instruments and disease severity staging; assess cognitive function, quality of life
and health economics; and establish DNA and tissue banks for basic research. The
project will comply with the GMP, GCP, GLP and GSP specifications.
Keywords: Parkinson-plus syndromes, riluzole, progressive neurodegenerative
disease, progressive supranuclear palsy
Co-ordinator:
Peter Nigel Leigh
King's College London
Institute of Psychiatry
Clinical Neuroscience
De Crespigny Park
UK – London SE5 8AF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1 713465187
Fax: +44-1 713465186
E-mail: spgtpn@iop.kcl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
67
Project number: QLG1-2000-01464
Acronym: MEDPHOT
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.095.743 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 8D EL F 4I 3NL S UK 2CH
Optical methods for medical diagnosis and monitoring of diseases
The TN aims at a qualification and validation of non-invasive optical
methods as tools for diagnosis and monitoring the course of diseases like diabetes
or cancer. It is proposed for co-ordinating research into common issues of
different methods such as optical coherence tomography, optical spectroscopy,
auto- and xenofluorescence, frequency and time domain measurements. The
European consortium is composed of a multidisciplinary team of researchers,
technical experts, clinicians and partners from industry. In a horizontal approach,
different fields as tissue optical characterisation, anatomical and functional
imaging, measurement techniques and instrumentation as well as standardisation
are addressed. It is the aim to optimise the systems for clinical use and to improve
the device specifications for diagnosis. The clinical application of the new
methods will be validated by multicentre clinical trials.
Keywords: diabetes, optical spectroscopy, auto- and xenofluorescence
Co-ordinator:
Rudolf Steiner
Institut für Lasertechnologien in der
Medizin und Messtechnik
Helmholtzstrasse 12
D - 89081 Ulm
Germany
Tel: +49-731 142910
Fax: +49-731 142942
E-mail: rudolf.steiner@ilm.uni-ulm.de
__________________________________________________________________
68
Project number: QLG1-2000-01475
Contract signature: 27/11/2000
EU contribution: 344.050 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: F I 2IL NL S 2UK CH
Acronym: ENFET
Area: 7.3.
Duration: 48 month
European network for fetal transplantation
In utero stem cell transplantation is a novel therapy targeted at the fetus,
within the uterus early in a pregnancy. This therapy is intended to treat a genetic
disorder, diagnosed within the first 12 weeks of gestation, before the pathological
effects become manifested. Currently, there are some successful cases reported
and European centres are in a leading position in the field. However, there is a
pressing need for consensus in many aspects of this therapy and a consortium of
European centres with expertise in many areas of stem cells and transplantation
will be uniquely placed to ensure that the in utero procedure can be used to
maximum benefit.
Keywords: fetal transplantation, stem cell transplantation, gestation
Co-ordinator:
Rhodri Jones
University of Nottingham
Department of Immunology
Queen's Medical Centre
Clifton Boulevard
UK - Nottingham NG7 2UH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 115 970 9058
Fax: +44 115 970 9125
E-mail: d.r.e.jones@nottingham.ac.uk
________________________________________________________________
69
Project number: QLG1-2000-01559
Acronym: PHIL
Contract signature: 30/11/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.360.725 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D DK E 3F PL UK
Magnetic resonance imaging using hyperpolarized helium gas as a tool for the
diagnosis of selected respiratory diseases
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, including chronic bronchitis and
emphysema, are of growing importance in Europe due to industrial influences,
increasingly aged population and smoking habits. They can only be detected by
conventional tests when already very pronounced. The project aims at validating a
new non invasive method for early diagnosis, differentiation and staging of
COPD: Magnetic Resonance Imaging using inhaled hyperpolarized helium 3 gas,
which provides 3D anatomical images of excellent resolution, data on the
dynamical function of ventilation and on airspace sizes. 9 partners from 6
countries will carry out a clinical study (150 patients, 50 volunteers), work on
animal models (2 types of emphysema) and improve the methodology (production
of gas, MRI techniques). The perspectives are transfer of knowledge to clinics and
for industrial exploitation, contrast agents and drug companies, MR
manufacturers.
Keywords: magnetic resonance imaging, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,
early diagnosis
Co-ordinator:
Michèle Leduc
Ecole Normale Supérieure
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
24 Rue Lhomond
F - 75231 Paris Cedex 05
France
Tel: +33-1 44322023
Fax: +33-1 44323434
E-mail: leduc@physique.ens.fr
__________________________________________________________________
70
Project number: QLG1-2000-01643
Acronym: EURO-BLCS
Contract signature: 30/11/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 1.372.967 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: DK EL FIN 3UK
Biological, clinical and genetic markers of future risk of cardiovascular disease
The project will improve understanding of the relationship between early
life factors and cardiovascular disease mortality, morbidity and intermediate risk
profile and identify markers amenable to early intervention and prevention, within
the framework of six unique birth cohort studies from England, Finland, Faroes
(Denmark) and Greece, including data on 58500 people born since 1920s. This
internationally valuable material since pregnancy or birth, provides a unique
platform for integrating a genetic, clinical and epidemiological approach. We will
evaluate the risk over the lifecourse using pre-existing data, data from the analysis
of stored blood samples and data to be collected in this study and consolidate
methods of data collection in order to improve comparability between countries
and allow data pooling. A European collaborative group will be established for
longitudinal studies and the results will be widely distributed.
Keywords: biological markers, genetic markers, cardiovascular disease
Co-ordinator:
Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
Imperial College School of Medicine
Norfolk Place
UK - London W2 1PG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-171 5943345
Fax: +44-171 4022150
E-mail: m.jarvelin@ic.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
71
Project number: QLG1-2000-01752
Contract signature: 19/12/2000
EU contribution: 517.800 €
Type: Demonstration
Teams/countries: DK NL S UK CH
Acronym: SPREAD
Area: 7.2.
Duration: 36 month
Demonstration of the performance of a new analytical software package
developed for detection of progress of emphysema by computer tomography
Emphysema is a lung disease, characterised by abnormal enlargement of
air spaces accompanied by destruction of alveoli walls and a decrease in lung
densities. Investigators already discovered that Computer Tomography (CT) is
informative to describe the presence and severity of emphysema in an objective
manner. At our institute, software has been developed for the quantification of
emphysema from CT- images. Before CT-parameters can be used in clinical
research studies, it must be demonstrated to the registration authorities and
pharmaceutical industry, that CT- measurements can be obtained reproducibly and
that the results are more sensitive to emphysema than lung function tests. To
achieve this, the software will be installed and used at 5 European hospitals to
assess emphysema and to predict the effect of lung surgery on severe cases. After
the expected outcome, the industry is able to start clinical trials to evaluate
possible treatment of emphysema.
Keywords: emphysema, computer tomography, lung function test
Co-ordinator:
Johan Reiber
Leiden University Medical Centre
Department of Radiology
Albinusdreef 2 PO Box 9600
NL - 2300 RC Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-71 5263935
Fax: +31-71 5266801
E-mail: hreiber@lkeb.azl.nl
__________________________________________________________________
72
Project number: QLG1-2000-01801
Acronym: MIVase
Contract signature: 23/11/2000
Area: 7.2.
EU contribution: 2.253.153 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D FIN IRL NL 3UK
New therapeutic approaches to osteoporosis: targeting the osteoclast V-ATPase
By harnessing the different skills of a multidisciplinary consortium, it is
proposed to develop chemical and immunotherapeutic approaches directed
towards inhibition of the osteoclast vacuolar ATPase. Specifically, this protein
complex is responsible for the acidification process vital to bone resorption. Its
inhibition will be a major contribution to combating osteoporosis, a very major
problem in the ageing population. The experimental strategy will draw upon (i)
the unique location of the enzyme in the plasma membrane of this cell-type and
(ii) the presence of natural inhibitors of the protein. The project will involve novel
chemical synthesis, analysis of the functional effects of chemical agents and
antibodies, structural analysis of the targeted subunits of the complex to determine
drug interactions and testing of potential leads in in-vivo animal systems.
Keywords: osteoporosis, osteoclast vacuolar ATPase, protein inhibitors
Co-ordinator:
John B.C. Findlay
University of Leeds
School of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology
UK - Leeds LS2 9JT
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1132333029
Fax: +44 1132333167
E-mail: j.b.c.findlay@leeds.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
73
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-00869 Acronym: ß1 INTEGRIN IN SKIN
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.266.127 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D E F S UK CH
Function of ß1 integrin in skin disease
The molecular bases of skin development, wound healing and skin
diseases like psoriasis and skin cancer are still poorly understood. Keratinocytes
are the major cell type of the skin. We study the role of ß- integrins, a major group
of extracellular matrix receptors, in keratinocytes in health and disease in vivo.
We generated already mice that lack ß-1 integrin in keratinocytes, but not in any
other tissue. These mice have severe skin defects and a complete loss of hairs.
Furthermore, we replace ß1 integrin by mutant forms of the protein in order to
study the mechanisms of integrin action. These mice are analysed in molecular
and cellular aspects under normal conditions, during wound healing, in a psoriasis
model and in various skin cancer models. In addition, cell lines are established
from these mice and characterised in vitro. We expect to obtain valuable
information about the function, the underlying mechanism, and the target gene of
ß-1 integrins in keratinocytes These data deepen our understanding of skin
physiology and pathophysiology and might in the future allow the development of
new therapeutic schemes for skin diseases.
Keywords: ß1 integrin, keratinocytes, psoriasis, cancer
Co-ordinator:
Cord Brakebusch
Lunds Universitet
Experimentell Patologi
S - 22185 Lund
Sweden
Tel: + 4646173560
Fax: + 4646158202
__________________________________________________________________
74
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-00966 Acronym: MitEURO
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 966.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A B 6D 5E 9F FIN HU 5I 2NL NO PL 2S 3UK CH
Concerted action on mitochondrial biogenesis and disease
Mitochondria are at the core of cellular metabolism, hence it is not
surprising that mitochondrial dysfunction is a frequent cause of human disease.
This project establishes a consortium of 51 European research teams from diverse
disciplines to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms involved in these disorders
This involves a combined effort to characterise the components of the apparatus
of mitochondrial biogenesis (mtDNA replication, transcription, translation, RNA
processing, assembly and transport) in key model organisms, to establish and
exploit pathogenic models in cell culture and in whole organisms, and to develop
techniques for manipulating mitochondrial gene expression, aimed at eventual
therapy. The consortium facilitates this research effort by pooling research tools
and resources, promoting researcher exchanges and training and enhancing
scientific communication between scientists with complementary expertise.
Keywords: mitochondrial biogenesis, model organism, pathogenic models
Co-ordinator:
Howard Trevor Jacobs
University of Tampere
Institute of Medical Technology
FIN - 33014 University of Tampere
Finland
Tel: + 35832157731
Fax: + 35832157731
E-mail: howy.jacobs@uta.fi
__________________________________________________________________
75
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01004 Acronym: GENE/CHEMOTHERAPY
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.476.524 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B E 2I S UK
Combined gene/chemotherapy of cancer with nucleoside analogues
The project aims to develop a novel strategy for combined
gene/chemotherapy of cancer with nucleoside analogues (NA) that is superior to
the existing HSV-I thymidine kinase (TK)/ganciclovir treatment of cancer. NAmetabolising enzymes, including VZV TK, mitochondrial TK-2, the insect
multifunctional deoxynucleoside kinase, nucleotidases and thymidine
phosphorylase, are cloned and expressed to investigate the NA substrate affinities
and to crystallise the enzymes with their preferred NA. Design of novel NA and
mutated enzymes are performed. Tumour cells are transfected with the enzyme
cDNA constructs to determine the increased cytostatic potential of the NA. The
effect of targeted expression of the enzymes in either the cytosolic/nuclear or in
the mitochondrial compartment of the tumour cells are investigated. Also
monocyte/macrophages as a model of resting tumour cells with low replicating
capacity and low dNTP pools are transiently transfected. Metabolism and
mechanism of action studies are performed on the NA. The most promising pairs
of enzyme construct/NA are evaluated in in vivo SCID mice models to prove our
concept.
Keywords: gene therapy, nucleoside analogue, cancer
Co-ordinator:
Jan Balzarini
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Department of Virology and Chemotherapy
Rega Institute for Medical Research
Minderbroedersstraat 10
B - 3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel: + 3216337341
Fax: + 3216337340
E-mail: jan.balzarini@rega.kuleuven.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
76
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01005 Acronym: CF-PRONET
Contract signature: 16/11/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 2.722.468 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2B 3D F NL 2UK
Cystic fibrosis: rescue of the function and of the processing of CFTR mutants
by pharmacological agents and by interacting proteins
Mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
(CFTR) affect the maturation and trafficking of the protein in the cell or cause
dysfunction of this cell surface expressed chloride channel. To rescue the cells,
compounds are designed capable of correcting the processing and dysfunction of
CFTR. In addition, known interacting proteins and novel interacting proteins,
identified during the proposed investigations are characterised at the genetic,
biochemical and electrophysiological level and their ability to compensate for or
rescue the cells from dysfunction are determined (in combination with selective
compounds). The thus identified protein network should contribute to the
understanding of the clinical variation observed in affected sibs, the role of similar
mutations in the frequent CF related diseases and could provide tools to diagnose,
monitor and treat these diseases.
Keywords: cystic fibrosis, ion channels, polygenes
Co-ordinator:
Jean-Jacques Cassiman
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Center for Human Genetics
Herestraat 49
B - 3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel: + 3216345860
Fax: + 3216345997
E-mail: jean-jacques.cassiman@med.kuleuven.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
77
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01012 Acronym: COPD GENE SCAN
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.305.418 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E I IRL NL 3UK
A multiple candidate-gene, high-density SNP scanning approach to assessment
of genetic susceptibility in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
The project evaluates a multiple candidate-gene, high density SNP (single
nucleotide polymorphism) scanning approach to assessment of genetic
susceptibility in a complex, multifactorial disease of major socio-economic
impact, namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using state-of-theart automated DNA sequencing combined with high-throughput homogeneous
fluorescent technology. The project identifies all SNPs of frequency - 2% in six
candidate genes for which there is sound genetic or biochemical evidence for a
modifying influence in COPD and evaluate their prevalence in 1,000 COPD
patients and 1,000 control subjects, matched for sex, age, ethnic origin and
smoking history. Association of SNPs with disease susceptibility, severity and
prognosis are evaluated.
Keywords: high-density SNP scanning, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
genetic susceptibility
Co-ordinator:
Muiris Fitzgerald
National University of Ireland / University College Dublin
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics
Woodview, Belfield
IRL - 4 DUBLIN
Ireland
Tel: + 37317062055
Fax: + 35317061136
E-mail: clare.oconnor@ucd.ie
__________________________________________________________________
78
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01032 Acronym: T-ANGIOVASC
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.571.728 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B EL F 2NL UK
Targeting of angiogenic TGF-beta signalling in cancer and cardiovascular
disease
Diseases as common as cancer, diabetes associated blindness and coronary
arteriosclerosis, and as rare as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiecstasia (HHT), a
chronic, bleeding ailment, would benefit from exogenous control of angiogenesis.
Gene ablation in mice has shown that the transforming growth factor (TGF) beta
signal transduction pathway is essential for normal vasculogenesis and
angiogenesis while mutations in TGF beta-receptors cause HHT. Treatments of
vascular disease based on interference with local ligand concentrations are not
feasible because of side effects on the immune system and fibrosis. Here, we use
state-of-the-art technology to identify target genes downstream of activated
receptors in vascular cells and develop cell culture and animal models for vascular
disease associated with defective TGF beta signalling.
Keywords: TGF-beta signalling, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis
Co-ordinator:
Theodore Fotsis
University of Ioannina
Laboratory of Biological Chemistry-Medical School
University Campus
EL - 45110 Ioannina
Greece
Tel: + 3065197560
Fax: + 3065197868
E-mail: thfotsis@cc.uoi.gr
__________________________________________________________________
79
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01039 Acronym: Complement in disease
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 435.659 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A D DK EL I NL NO 2S 2UK
The key role of complement MBLectin pathway in infectious and chronic
disease.
Human resistance to microbial infection is mediated by humoral and
cellular effector systems. A major part of the humoral immune system is
complement, which consists of 30-35 proteins that recognise and are of utmost
importance for the elimination of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
Diminished complement activity causes humans to become susceptible to
repetitive fulminant or severe infections. In the concerted action BMH4-CT961005, we analysed the contribution of two pathways of complement in detail and
provided evidence that these pathways play essential roles in chronic
autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious diseases. More recently a third pathway
of complement activation was uncovered. There is a strong suggestion that this
pathway is crucial in recognition and clearance of pathogenic microorganisms. It
is the purpose of this project to delineate the relative contribution of the MBL
pathway in autoimmune and infectious disease.
Keywords: complement, infectious, MBLectin pathway
Co-ordinator:
Mohamed R. Daha
Leiden University (Medical Centre)
Department of Nephrology
Albinusdreef 2 POB 9600 / 2300 RC
NL - 2333 ZA LEIDEN
Netherlands
Tel: + 31715262148
Fax: + 31715248118
E-mail: m.r.daha@lumc.nl mfnijhout@lumc.nl
__________________________________________________________________
80
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01049 Acronym: EUR-GAST
Contract signature: 16/11/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.025.676 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E F I NL UK
Environmental factors, Helicobacter pylori infection, genetic susceptibility and
gastric cancer risk in the European population
Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is an important cause of gastric cancer
(GC), duodenal and gastric ulcer, and gastric lymphoma. Factors affecting
progression, pathways and outcomes of this process are not known. Vegetables
and fruits are associated with GC, but the mechanism of action remains unknown.
Role of nutrients, alcohol and tobacco has not been established. Genetic
susceptibility may influence individual responses to these factors explaining why
only a minority infected persons develop GC. In a multicenter prospective study
carried out in nine European countries, a nested case-control study is conducted
aimed to elucidate the individual and joint effects of Hp infection, genetic
polymorphisms, nutritional status and environmental factors putatively involved
in the aetiology of GC in the European population.
Keywords: genetic susceptibility, Helicobacter pylori, gastric cancer
Co-ordinator:
Carlos A. Gonzalez
Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)
Epidemiology
Avenida Gran Via s/n Km 2.7
E - 08907 l 'Hospitalet (Barcelona)
Spain
Tel: + 34932607401
Fax: + 34932607787
E-mail: cagonzalez@ico.scs.es
__________________________________________________________________
81
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01172 Acronym: ANGIONET
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 2.672.674 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B 2D F FIN UK
Identification of new angiogenic regulatory events, markers and targets for
anti- or pro-angiogenic therapies
A wide range of common and lethal pathologies such as cardiovascular
diseases, tumour growth and metastatic spread, are linked to the disruption of the
angiogenic balance. The antiangiogenic treatments currently in clinical trials for
cancer generally target a limited number of events involved in the angiogenic
process. There is a pressing need to expand the number of therapeutic targets in
this area. The consortium partner laboratories contribute expertise on a wide
spectrum of cellular and in vivo models, providing a comprehensive
representation of specific steps in neovascularization. These models are processed
by genomics analysis and promising genes are preselected in vitro. The selected
genes are assessed and compared in the set of physiological and pathological
models. This strategy will lead to the identification of novel critical genes and
define their role in angiogenesis.
Keywords: angiogenesis, angiogenic therapies
Co-ordinator:
Marie-Christine Multon
Aventis Pharma Recherche-Développement
Oncology Department, Centre de Recherche de Vitry Alfortville
13 quai Jules Guesde BP 14
F - 94403 Vitry sur Seine
France
Tel: + 330155713789
Fax: + 330155713471
E-mail: marie-christine.multon@aventis.com
__________________________________________________________________
82
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01252 Acronym: RISC
Contract signature: 9/01/2002
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 2.176.291 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D DK E 2F 4I IRL NL 2S 3UK CH
Relationship between insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular disease risk
Insulin resistance is a key predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes
mellitus and appears to be important in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease
(CVD), which is the leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality in
Europe, although prevalence rates differ between geographical regions. Type 2
diabetes, which enhances the risk of CVD 3- to 5-fold, was estimated by WHO to
have a prevalence of 20-25 million in Europe in 1997. The degree of insulin
resistance is influenced by multiple factors, including genetic and environmental
factors (e.g. obesity and inactivity). This project uses the expertise and
organisational infrastructure of an existing European collaborative research group
to study 1500 healthy subjects. Baseline measurements are made of insulin
resistance, classical cardiovascular risk factors, glucose tolerance, candidate
genotypes and CVD by carotid artery intima-media thickness. Investigations are
repeated after 3 years to define the relation between insulin resistance and the
development of CVD and type 2 diabetes. This study will provide unique
information on the importance of insulin resistance in the development of CVD
and diabetes, and has implications for the development of prevention and
treatment strategies relevant to Europe.
Keywords: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, insulin sensitivity
Co-ordinator:
Eleuterio Ferrannini
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna
Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia, Universita di Pisa
Department of Internal Medicine
Via Roma 67
I - 56100 Pisa
Italy
Tel: + 3905028584
Fax: + 39050553235
E-mail: ferranni@ifc.pi.cnr.it
__________________________________________________________________
83
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01277 Acronym: MMPD
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 995.214 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B DK F NL
Peroxisomal diseases: elucidation of the pathogenesis and evaluation of
treatments by using mouse models
The peroxisomal disorders represent a newly recognised group of rare,
inherited metabolic diseases with diverse perturbations of lipid metabolism.
Although much has been learned about the enzymatic and genetic basis of these
disorders, there is little information with respect to the pathogenetic mechanisms.
It is our purpose to generate and analyse mouse models mimicking these diseases
(MPF-2 deficiency, Refsum disease, RCDP type 1 and 2). Specific aims are: 1) to
make an inventory of all metabolic changes in the different mouse models, 2) to
investigate the onset and progression of pathologies in different organs in
particular in the central nervous system and in the neuromuscular system, 3) to
study the molecular mechanisms linking metabolic alterations with organ
dysfunction by in vivo and in vitro approaches, and 4) to use these mouse models
to evaluate diets and treatments.
Keywords: peroxisome, rare disease, pathogenesis
Co-ordinator:
Myriam Baes
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry
Herestraat 49
B - 3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel: + 3216347283
Fax: + 3216347281
E-mail: myriam.baes@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
84
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01395 Acronym: EURO-PID
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 467.399 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D E EL F FIN 2I 2S 2UK
The European initiative for primary immunodeficiencies
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) can often only be studied
through transnational collaborations due to that they are very rare. Research and
development for PID in Europe is generally considered to be world- leading. This
can be exemplified by the fact that many of the PID were initially characterised in
Europe, several of the corresponding disease-genes were first identified by
European investigators and recently, the first successful gene therapy for any
disease (X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency), was first carried out in
Europe. We wish to further promote European collaborations in this field in order
to elucidate disease mechanisms by providing the relevant research tools. This is
achieved by developing disease-based registries for mutations and clinical
information, by supporting research sample shipments, by arranging guideline and
technology workshops and by supporting short-term visits to different
laboratories.
Keywords: primary immunodeficiency, disease-based registries
Co-ordinator:
C.I. Edvard Smith
Karolinski Institutet
Department of Biosciences at Novum
Haelsovaegen 7
S - 141 57 Huddinge
Sweden
Tel: + 4686089100
Fax: + 4687745538
__________________________________________________________________
85
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01407 Acronym: EUROME
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.999.079 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D EL FIN 2S UK CH
From the identification of genes and cellular networks in murine models of
arthritis to novel therapeutic intervention strategies in rheumatoid arthritis
The research network, EUROME, represents Centres of Excellence in
Europe where recent technologies in transcriptome (microarrays) as well as
proteome analysis are applied to study with the use of transgenic and congenic
animal models human autoimmune diseases, primarily rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Susceptibility genes for autoimmune diseases are identified and their functions are
determined. Targets for studying novel treatments are evaluated i.e. to stop
neoangiogenesis in inflamed tissues. Gene and cell based intervention strategies
are investigated to treat autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis). Common
mechanisms that cause autoimmune diseases are determined. EUROME research
leads to a genome-base individualised medicine.
Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, functional genomics, murine models
Co-ordinator:
Hans-Jürgen Thiesen
University of Rostock
Institute for Immunology
Schillingallee 70
D - 18057 Rostock
Germany
Tel: + 493814945870
Fax: + 493814945882
E-mail: hans-juergen.thiesen@med.uni-rostock.de
__________________________________________________________________
86
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01429 Acronym: GENDEAF
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 523.800 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B 3DK 3E 3F FIN 10I IL 3NL 3NO 3S 8UK CH
European network on GENetic DEAFness: pathogenic mechanisms, clinical
and molecular diagnosis, social impact
Hearing disorders involve more than 10% of the European population,
50% of which due to genetic causes. Since each has a rare prevalence, in order to
optimise research, collect information and benefit larger portion of population, it
is essential to create a European network of clinicians, researchers and hearing
impaired support groups aimed at understanding pathogenic mechanisms of
genetic hearing impairment (HI). It focuses on classes of HI with the highest
prevalence and social impact: prevalence of mutations in the Cx26 (the most
frequent cause of non-syndromic autosomal recessive HI) in myosin VIIA and
ushering in individuals with Usher syndrome; phenotypic criteria for recognising
subgroups of nonsyndromic HI, pathogenic models of aminoglycoside/ototoxicity
and other forms of mitochondrial deafness. Psychosocial impact of genetic HI on
individuals and families is investigated. A bulletin targeted to patients/families is
circulated.
Keywords: genetic hearing impairment, mutations in the Cx26, phenotypic
criteria, pathogenic models
Co-ordinator:
Giovanni Martino Rollier
Amplifon s.p.a.
Amplifon Research and Study Centre - CRS
via Ripamonti 131/133
I - 20141 Milan
Italy
Tel: + 390257472373
Fax: + 390257472308
E-mail: rollier@amplifon.it
__________________________________________________________________
87
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01488 Acronym: AMPDIAMET
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.810.474 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B 2DK E 2F 2UK
The cellular fuel gauge AMP-activated protein kinase: a key player in type 2
diabetes and the metabolic syndrome?
Type 2 diabetes and the related metabolic syndrome (a cluster of
abnormalities including insulin resistance, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, and
hypertension) are increasing in prevalence, due to an ageing population and to
lifestyle factors, notably diet and exercise. Diabetes causes debilitating long-term
complications, while the components of the metabolic syndrome are key risk
factors for cardiovascular disease. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
system monitors the energy status of cells, is activated by exercise or low glucose,
and acts as a "metabolic master switch" turning catabolic and anabolic pathways
on and off. The same pathways are altered in metabolic syndrome, suggesting that
AMPK might be playing a role in its development. This project brings together a
multidisciplinary group of leading European researchers, and should provide the
knowledge base and tools for development of new therapeutic regimes.
Keywords: protein kinase, diabetes, heart disease
Co-ordinator:
David Grahame Hardie
Dundee University
Wellcome Trust Biocentre
Dow Street
UK - Dundee DD1 5EH
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441382344253
Fax: + 441382345783
E-mail: d.g.hardie@dundee.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
88
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01513 Acronym: NORTH
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.291.306 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: EL F 2I 2S
Studies on the role of orphan nuclear receptors on cholesterol catabolism as
new pharmacological targets in cardiovascular disease and search for ligands
modulating their activity
The general objective of this project is to study new aspects of the
molecular regulation of cholesterol metabolism by orphan nuclear receptors and
the contribution of the underlying mechanisms to cholesterol homeostasis. To
achieve the objective of this project we pursues the following specific aims: 1.
Analysis of the role of orphan nuclear receptors on the regulation of the
expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. 2. Systematic
identification of novel target genes regulated by orphan nuclear receptors. 3.
Determination of the crystal structure of the ligand binding domain of HNF-4,
CPF, SHP and COUP-TFII. 4. Search for ligands for HNF-4, CPF, SHP and
COUP-TFII. 5. In vitro and in vivo analysis of the newly identified ligands. This
project will allow finding new drug targets for novel treatments of
hypercholesterolemia to lower the risk of developing atherosclerosis and the
incidence of cardiovascular diseases associated with this metabolic disorder.
Keywords: nuclear receptors, cholesterol, atherosclerosis
Co-ordinator:
Giovanni Galli
Universita degli Studi di Milano
Istituto di Scienze Farmacologiche
via Balzaretti, 9
I - 20133 Milano
Italy
Tel: + 390220488329323
Fax: + 390229404961
E-mail: giovanni.galli@unimi.it
__________________________________________________________________
89
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01521 Acronym: LEUCHRON
Contract signature: 5/11/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.240.053 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D I S
The leukotrienes, signalling molecules in chronic and degenerative diseases
The leukotrienes (LT) are important lipid signalling molecules in chronic
inflammatory disorders affecting, e.g., the joints and respiratory system, which are
serious health problems with a major socio-economic impact. Our network,
positioned in the international forefront of LT research, carries out a
multidisciplinary project with the aims to elucidate the underlying LT-dependent
disease mechanisms and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic
strategies and anti-LT drugs. The work focuses on molecular studies of key
enzymes and receptors, regulation of cellular LT synthesis, the role of LTs in the
immune system and characterisation of new potential drug targets, in combination
with applied studies in complex models of inflammatory diseases. This project is
conducted in alliance with the industry and has the potential for future extension
into medical practice and treatment of chronic and degenerative diseases.
Keywords: leukotrienes, chronic inflammatory disorders, respiratory system,
molecular studies
Co-ordinator:
Jesper Z. Haeggstroem
Karolinska Institutet
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Division of Physiological
Chemistry II
Scheeles väg 2
S - 171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + 4687287612
Fax: + 4687360439
E-mail: jesper.haeggstrom@mbb.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
90
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01536 Acronym: IMPAD
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.597.436 €
Duration: 39 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 3D E 2F I S UK CH
Improved health care for patients with primary antibody deficiencies through
new strategies elucidating their pathophysiology.
Primary antibody deficiencies like common variable immunodeficiency,
IgA-deficiency and the non-X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome are rare chronic
diseases that are severely complicated by recurrent bacterial infections, poorly
recognised in daily medical practice and expensive to treat. To understand their
unknown aetiologies, our multidisciplinary approach combines 10 European
groups to identify the genetic origins of the deficiencies, the genetic risk factors in
different European populations, the defects and changes in inter- and intracellular
signalling pathways and their pathophysiological relations to immunological
phenotypes and function.
Keywords: immunodeficiency, genetics, immunology
Co-ordinator:
Hans Hartmut Peter
Universitaetsklinik Freiburg
At. Rheumatologie u. Klin. Immunologie, Medizinische Klinik
Hugstetter Str. 55
D - 79106 Freiburg
Germany
Tel: + 497612703448
Fax: + 497612703446
E-mail: peter@mm61.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
91
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01574 Acronym: EUGIA
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.519.986 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2A D NL S
Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and glucocorticoid resistance in lymphoid
malignancies and autoimmune diseases
Glucocorticoid (GC) -induced apoptosis, although frequently not
recognised, is a poorly understood phenomenon of major clinical significance:
First, it is a central component in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies.
Second, through its postulated effect upon immune repertoire generation, it might
contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We propose to investigate
(a) the molecular basis of GC-induced apoptosis, (b) mechanisms of the
therapeutically important GC resistance, and (c) the role of these phenomena in
autoimmune disease pathogenesis, thereby providing the basis for improved
therapy of lymphoid malignancies and perhaps autoimmune disorders. The
research is performed by combining the expertise of clinical and basic scientists
from 5 internationally renowned groups that exploit functional genomics and
other molecular techniques to analyse normal and malignant lymphocytes from
afflicted patients, and from genetically modified and spontaneously autoimmune
mice.
Keywords: apoptosis, leukaemia, autoimmunity
Co-ordinator:
Reinhard Kofler
Tyrolean Association for the Advancement of Cancer Research
Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute
Innrain 66
A - 6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Tel: + 4351257048511
Fax: + 4351257048544
E-mail: reinhard.kofler@uibk.ac.at
__________________________________________________________________
92
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01646 Acronym: The RET proto-oncogene
Contract signature: 30/07/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.051.902 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D 3F 4I
RET as dependence receptor involved in apoptosis, neurogenesis and
tumorigenesis
ER is a classic receptor kinase which, upon ligand binding, transduces a
kinase dependent signal allowing the migration of RET-expressing cells towards
ligand source. However recent findings show that RET expression induces
apoptosis in the absence of ligand. The dependence receptor notion is based on
similar observations that the effects of a number of receptors functioning in both
nervous system development and tumorigenesis cannot be explained simply by a
positive effect of signal transduction induced by ligand binding. Receptors such as
neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, the androgen receptor (AR), DCC (Deleted in
Colorectal Cancer), and now RET show two distinct forms of signal transduction
depending on ligand availability. In the presence of their ligands they transduce a
signal for either proliferation or differentiation and in their absence for apoptosis.
This project aims at studying the biological role of RET in model systems and in
humans.
Keywords: apoptosis, tumorigenesis, RET-expressing cells, neurotrophin
receptor, androgen receptor
Co-ordinator:
Giovanni Romeo
International Agency for Research on Cancer
Genetic Cancer Susceptibility
Cours Albert Thomas 150
F - 69372 Lyon
CEDEX 08
France
Tel: + 33472738485
Fax: + 33472738575
E-mail: romeo@iarc.fr
__________________________________________________________________
93
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01918 Acronym: MECHANISMS OF MG
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.818.517 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D EL 2F IL NO S
Understanding the mechanism of autoimmunity through myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis, similarly to other autoimmune diseases is a
multifactorial disease. It is due to antibodies directed to acetylcholine receptor
(AChR). Although the mechanisms of initiation of the anti-AChR autoimmune
response are not known, correlation studies have pointed at the involvement of
hormonal, genetic and immunological components. We propose to analyse the
combined contribution of immunological, histological, genetic and hormonal
factors in the initiation, progression and maintenance of myasthenia gravis. The
consortium includes 8 European groups who have made substantial contributions
to the understanding and/or the management of this disease.
Our project is original because we aim to study the pathophysiological
mechanisms directly at the effector site (the thymus) using the relevant material
and to complete the study by modelling the disease processes through cellular and
animal models.
Keywords: autoimmunity, myasthenia gravis, thymus
Co-ordinator:
Sonia Berrih-Aknin
UPS, CNRS ESA 8078
Laboratory of Thymic Physiology
CCML, 133 avenue de la Résistance
F - 92350 Le Plessis Robinson
France
Tel: + 33145371551
Fax: + 33146304564
E-mail: sonia.berrih@ccml.u-psud.fr
__________________________________________________________________
94
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-01935 Acronym: Chromatin and Cancer
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.959.106 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E 3F 3I NL UK
Targeting chromatin in cancer: histone deacetylases and differentiation therapy
of acute myeloid leukemias
Acetylation/deacetylation by histone acetylases (HAT) and deacetylases
(HDAC) regulates gene transcription and specific functions, such as tumour
suppression by p53. Abnormalities of HAT or HDAC are frequently found in
tumours. Targeting of HDAC by small compounds is effective in the
differentiation treatment of a small subset of leukemias. We aim to determine
whether HDACs are suitable general targets for cancer drug discovery. We
characterise the mechanisms of activities of HDAC/HAT in normal and cancer
cells, and screen tumours with a panel of HDAC inhibitors. Our experimental
approaches range from biochemistry to molecular biology, to post-genomics
(proteomics and nanotechnology), and include the functional validation of
compounds and demonstrated mechanisms in animal model systems and tumour
samples. Final objective is the design of differentiation treatment protocols for
leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Keywords: histone deacetylases, acute leukemias, targeted therapy
Co-ordinator:
Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
Istituto Europeo di Oncologia srl
Department of Experimental Oncology
Via Ripamonti, 435
I - 20141 Milano
Italy
Tel: + 390257489838
Fax: + 390257489851
E-mail: pgpelicci@ieo.it
__________________________________________________________________
95
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-02007 Acronym: Pemphigoids & Immunity
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 865.525 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D F I S CH
The pemphigoids, autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and mucosae:
immunopathogenic mechanisms, prognostic and diagnostic markers.
The project is aimed at a comprehensive analysis of the pathophysiology
of a group of rare, but severe and chronic autoimmune bullous skin disorders, the
pemphigoids (PEs), characterised by defective epithelial adhesion and
autoantibodies against components of the skin basement membrane zone. These
diseases represent a prototype of organ-specific autoimmune disorders, which
share common pathogenetic mechanisms. The objectives are: the analysis of
molecular interactions and processing of epithelial adhesion proteins targets in the
PEs; the characterisation of the humoral immune responses and T cell immune
responses in the PEs; the study of disease development risk factors. Expected
results are: (i) a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of PEs
disorders; (ii) the definition of markers for disease severity, progression and
outcome, (iii) the identification of subjects at risk for disease, (iv) the
development of new diagnostic tools and of (v) novel immunotherapy for these
diseases. Altogether these results will also enhance understanding and allow
development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in other autoimmune
disorders.
Keywords: rare/chronic disease, autoimmunity, epithelial adhesion
Co-ordinator:
Giovanna Zambruno
Provincia Italiana della Congregazione dei Figli dell' Immacolata Concezione
Istituto Dermopatico dell' Immacolata-I.R.C.C.S.
Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Via dei Monti di Creta 104
I - 00167 Roma
Italy
Tel: + 390666464738
Fax: + 390666464705
E-mail: g.zambruno@idi.it
__________________________________________________________________
96
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-02026 Acronym: U2P2
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.552.628 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D 3F UK CH
Understanding the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to pave the way for new anticancer strategies and drugs
The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a very attractive target for
pharmacological intervention because it is necessary for the regulated and
selective degradation of intracellular proteins involved in the control of most
biological processes, including proliferation, and alterations of its activity or
selectivity often contribute to human pathologies, especially cancer, inflammatory
and degenerative diseases. However, due to the complexity of this pathway and to
the variety of its substrates, major advances towards the design of drugs capable
to alter the stability and thus the level of one or a few pertinent protein(s) require a
deeper understanding of the fine tuning of its activity and selectivity. This project
proposes an integrative analysis of the multiple biochemical, structural, spatial
and temporal parameters that determine the degradation of ubiquitous regulators
of cell proliferation, and to design novel anti-cancer strategies and molecules.
Keywords: ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, cancer, inflammatory, degenerative
diseases
Co-ordinator:
Olivier Coux
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Delegation Languedoc Roussillon
Centre de Recherche de Biochimie Macromoleculaire
(CRBM) - UPR 1086
1919 route de Mende
F - 34293 Montpellier
CEDEX 5
France
Tel: + 33467613325
Fax: + 33467521559
E-mail: coux@crbm.cnrs-mop.fr
__________________________________________________________________
97
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-02084 Acronym: E2F AND MYC
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.102.138 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D DK E I UK
Deregulation of cell cycle progression in human tumorigenesis
The project focuses on mechanisms that control cell proliferation and their
deregulation in human tumours. The second focus is the analysis of mechanisms
by which normal cells are protected against the catastrophic consequences of
deregulated cell cycle progression.
Keywords: p19ARF, E2F, Myc, deregulation in human tumours, cell cycle
progression
Co-ordinator:
Martin Eilers
University of Marburg
Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumour Research
Emil-Mannkopff-Strasse 2
D - 35033 MARBURG
Germany
Tel: +4964212866410
Fax: + 4964212865196
E-mail: eilers@imt.uni-marburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
98
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-02171 Acronym: ACID
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.489.627 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E I UK 2CH
Alleviation of chronic inflammatory diseases - targeting of phosphoinositide 3kinases
Chronic inflammatory diseases cause substantial individual suffering and
cost to society. Most diseases lack cures, and available long term medication
relieves symptoms only at the expense of severe side effects. Insight into signals
in leukocyte traffic pave the way for novel strategies to treat chronic
inflammation. Chemokine receptors relay their signal through phosphoinositide 3kinase (PI3K). We have recently demonstrated that the G protein-coupled PI3Kg
acts as an essential regulator of leukocyte migration and adhesion, both key
features of cell activation during the inflammatory process. This project is to
validate PI3Kg and PI3Kd - both highly expressed in cells of hematopoietic origin
- as drug targets. PI3K null mice shall be tested in chronic inflammation models.
Studies of PI3K signalling in white blood cells shall elucidate the role of PI3Ks in
chronic inflammation. Finally, selective PI3K inhibitors shall be produced.
Keywords: inflammation, PI 3-kinase
Co-ordinator:
Reinhard Wetzker
Klinikum der Universitaet Jena
Arbeitsgruppe "Molekulare Zellbiologie"
Drackendorferstrasse 1
D - 07751 Jena
Germany
Tel: + 493641304460
Fax: + 493641304462
E-mail: i5rewe@rz.uni-jena.de
__________________________________________________________________
99
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-02188 Acronym: ESDN
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 2.357.365 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Combined Research and Technological Development and Demonstration Project
Teams/countries: B D F FIN 2UK CH
An integrated research and diagnostic network for skeletal dysplasias
Skeletal dysplasias are an extremely complex group of disorders that affect
the development of the osseous skeleton. There are over 200 well-characterised
phenotypes, which range in severity from mild to severe and lethal forms. Our
combined research and demonstration project establishes an integrated research
and diagnostic network for skeletal dysplasias [European Skeletal Dysplasia
Network (ESDN)]. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to study
comprehensively the molecular genetics and cell-matrix pathology of these
diseases. In addition we will demonstrate the viability of molecular diagnosis for
skeletal dysplasias by transferring research results into clinical practice. ESDN
will improve equity of geographic access to molecular diagnosis for EU citizens
and establish laboratory proficiency testing through external quality assessment.
Overall, this project will provide new understanding of the pathophysiology of
these and more common diseases and allow the development of a service delivery
model for the molecular diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.
Keywords: molecular diagnosis, genetic disease, skeletal dysplasia
Co-ordinator:
Michael Briggs
The Victoria University of Manchester
School of Biological Sciences
Oxford Road POB 2.205 Stopford
UK – Manchester M13 9PT
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441612755642
Fax: + 441612755082
E-mail: mike.briggs@man.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
100
Project number: QLG1-CT-2001-02233 Acronym: GROWBETA
Contract signature: 5/11/2001
Area: 7.1
EC contribution: 1.297.614 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D I S UK CH
Generation and functional characterisation of neuroendocrine cells for cellular
replacement therapy
New insights into the molecular biology of signals, which control cellular
function and differentiation, open novel approaches towards treatment of
degenerative diseases. Diabetes mellitus is a prototype of such a disease,
characterised either by a complete loss of the insulin producing B-cells or by
impaired regulation of secretion. We want to combine the expertise of
developmental biologists, neuroscientists, and cell biologists, to provide basic
knowledge on how precursor cells can be induced to develop a secretory
phenotype. Next, we want to study, how such cells are influenced in their function
by a set of signals, which is shared by neurons and endocrine cells. Regarding
diabetes, the challenge for cellular replacement therapy is not only to grow isletlike tissue, but also to achieve the uninterrupted control of blood glucose levels.
The simplicity of islets should provide a testing ground for general strategies
Keywords: diabetes, chronic diseases, development
Co-ordinator:
Erwin Neher
Max Planck Institut fuer Biophysikalische Chemie
Membranbiophysik
Am Fassberg
D - 370077 Goettingen
Germany
Tel: + 495512011675
Fax: + 495512011688
E-mail: eneher@gwdg.de
__________________________________________________________________
101
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-00668 Acronym: OISTER
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 7.3
EC contribution: 1.636.300 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D DK E EL F UK
Outcome and impact of specific treatment in European research on melanoma
Human melanoma is highly resistant to any kind of treatment, but the
underlying reasons are largely unknown. OISTER aims to collect tissue samples
and cell lines together with relevant clinical data in order to correlate the tumour
characteristics with the clinical information, especially response to treatment with
the final objective of using this knowledge to enhance treatment success in this
refractory disease. This is achieved by analyses at the genetic and proteomic level
and correlation of the results with the clinical data using artificial neural network
bioinformatics programs. Integration of pre-existing and newly-built data bases
with ESTDAB, an EU-funded infrastructure project, aimed to establish the largest
collection of fully-characterised melanoma cell lines in Europe and the world, will
provide tools to identify new biomarkers and tumour-associated antigens
associated with prognosis and responsiveness to treatment.
Keywords: melanoma, cancer therapy, cell and data bank
Co-ordinator:
Dirk Schadendorf
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Klinische Kooperationseinheit fuer Dermato-Onkologie des DKFZ Klinikum
Mannheim
Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1
D - 68135 Mannheim
Germany
Tel: + 496213832127
Fax: + 496213832163
E-mail: D.Schadendorf@dkfz-heidelberg.de
__________________________________________________________________
102
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-00816 Acronym: T21 TARGETS
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.785.821 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E 4F IL CH
Understanding the chronic neurological alterations of Down syndrome and
their associated phenotypes and development of molecular targets for their
correction
Despite a vast amount of investigation on the pathophysiology of Down
syndrome (DS) (T21), the molecular, biochemical and cellular bases of this
common cause of mental retardation (over 500.000 cases in Europe) are still
unknown. The sequence of human chromosome 21, cells and tissues from
individuals with partial or regular T21 (molecularly and phenotypically described)
and functional approaches (expression profiling, yeast double hybrid,
transcriptome and proteome) should permit: a/to identify the molecules that are
involved in DS brain alterations and the modifier factors responsible of the
phenotypic variability; b/to modelize the dosage effects of the DS transcriptome
in mouse; and c/ to develop protective and therapeutic strategies for the treatment
of the chronic neurologic alterations of DS patients. This understanding of DS
should also provide basic knowledge about the causes of common clinical
neurological alterations in humans.
Keywords: Down syndrome, molecular targets, chromosome 21, phenotypic
variability
Co-ordinator:
Jean-Maurice Delabar
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Delegation Paris A
CNRS-UMR 8602
156 rue de Vaugirard
F - 75730 PARIS
France
Tel: + 33140615695
Fax: + 33140615690
E-mail: delabar@necker.fr
__________________________________________________________________
103
Project number: under negotiation
Acronym: IMPROVE
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: F 2FIN 3I NL 2S UK
Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and IMT-progression as predictors of
vascular events in a high risk population
The study aims to evaluate: (a) the association between 15 months IMTprogression of carotid artery and the rate of vascular events (from the 15th to the
36th months of follow up) in subjects at high risk of atherosclerosis and (b) the
association between cross-sectional carotid arteries IMT and the rate of vascular
events. The effect of gene polymorphism, lipid peroxidation, socio-economic and
psychological variables on the same ultrasonographic end points are also assessed.
In addition, the study will: (a) standardise at EU level an ultrasound scan and
reading protocol to be used in future clinical trials; (b) compare the genetic and
ultrasonic characteristics of patients from north and south Europe; (c) assess the
impact of an early detection of atherosclerotic disease on the patients’ quality of
life and (d) its economic consequences. Data is analysed with conventional
statistic vs an innovative approach based on artificial neural networks.
Keywords: atherosclerosis, vascular events
Co-ordinator:
Rodolfo Paoletti
Università degli Studi di Milano
Department of Pharmacological Sciences
via Balzaretti 9
I - 20133 Milano
Italy
Tel: + 390258358341
Fax: + 390258358284
E-mail: rodolfo.paoletti@unimi.it
__________________________________________________________________
104
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-00908 Acronym: ESCAPE_Trial
Contract signature: 28/08/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.604.329 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: CZ 9D 2F HU 5I LT P 4PL S CH 5TR YU
Molecular mechanisms of disease progression and renoprotective
pharmacotherapy in children with chronic renal failure
ACE inhibitors are renoprotective in adults with chronic renal failure
(CRF), but of unproven usefulness in children. In a randomised trial in 350 CRF
children we address if ACE inhibition is efficacious in slowing CRF progression
in acquired and congenital nephropathies, if progression can be additionally
influenced by intensified antihypertensive treatment achieving low-normal blood
pressure, and which factors determine CRF progression and/or its susceptibility to
ACE inhibition. Potential effects of renin-angiotensin system and PAI-l gene
polymorphisms, mutations in genes defining glomerular structure or causing renal
hypo/dysplasia, renal endothelnr-l turnover, plasma homocysteine and
apolipoprotein phenotypes are assessed. The cardiovascular consequences of
childhood-onset CRF and renoprotective pharmacotherapy are addressed by
carotid ultrasound, echocardiography and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
Keywords: children, renal failure, progression
Co-ordinator:
Franz Schaefer
University of Heidelberg
Division of Pediatric Neephrology, Department of Pediatrics
Im Neuenheimer Feld 150
D - 69120 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel: + 496221568377
Fax: + 496221564203
E-mail: franz_schaefer@med.uni.heidelberg.de
__________________________________________________________________
105
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-81030 Acronym: PrPSc-nEUROpathways
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 7
EC contribution: 1.769.438 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B 2D F I UK
Pathways and mechanisms in the spread of PrPSc to the central nervous system
The work aims to study the pathways and mechanisms of uptake,
neuroinvasion and spread of PrPSc to the CNS in conventional and transgenic
rodent models for TSEs. Histological and biochemical methods are used to
elucidate the temporal-spatial course and the mechanisms of progressing PrPSc
deposition. Functional studies include stimulation of B lymphocytes, vagotomy,
sympathectomy and pharmacological blocking of slow axonal transport. This is
expected to characterise the contacts between LRS and PNS at sites of and the
role of B lymphocytes for neuroinvasion, to prove that vagus and splanchnic
nerves mediate CNS invasion after oral infection, to identify components and
mechanisms mediating spread along nerves, to establish murine models
mimicking spread of PrPSc in sheep and cattle, to elucidate PrPSc paths after
parenteral challenge and to correlate the phenotype of spread with molecular
properties of PrPSc.
Keywords: Scrapie-BSE-TSEs, infection, PrPSc path
Co-ordinator:
Walter Schulz-Schaeffer
Georg-August-University Goettingen, Faculty of Medicine
Department of Neuropathology
Robert-Koch-Str. 40
D - 37075 Goettingen
Germany
Tel: + 49551392700
Fax: + 49551398472
E-mail: wjschulz@med.uni-goettingen.de
__________________________________________________________________
106
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01049 Acronym: WHIPPLE'S DISEASE
Contract signature: 3/10/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 2.248.561 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A B 4D F I
Clinical features associated with tropheryma whipplei infection in a European
setting - pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of Whipple's disease
Whipple's disease (WD) is a rare, multifactorial disease, in which the
bacterium Tropheryma whipplei causes infections in predisposed hosts. We plan
to set up the first multidisciplinary consortium to improve our understanding of
the interaction of host, agent and environment in this disorder. This includes a coordinated collection of different tissues from WD patients and controls, studies of
host factors (characterising the underlying immunogenetic defect) and of
environmental factors (occurrence of T. whipplei). In order to improve diagnosis,
microbiological characterisation of the agent include studies of growth conditions
(allowing antibiotic susceptibility testing) and sequencing of the bacillus.
Prospective therapy studies aim to improve the current antibiotic therapy and to
test beneficial effects of new supportive treatments. This should lead to a
significant improvement of the patients' disease burden.
Keywords: Whipple's disease, Tropheryma whipplei, immunogenetic defect, sequencing
Co-ordinator:
Thomas Marth
University Medical Clinic of the Saarland
Internal Medicine II
Kirrbergerstr.
D - 66421 Homburg
Germany
Tel: + 4968411623201
Fax: + 4968411623264
E-mail: intmar@med-rz.uni-saarland.de
__________________________________________________________________
107
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01116 Acronym: Disposition to PPH
Contract signature: 26/08/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.812.085 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B 2D F I PL UK
Early diagnosis and analysis of the genetic causes of primary pulmonary
hypertension (PPH), a rare and life-threatening disease
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive disease that
may serve as a model for pulmonary artery remodelling. Autosomal dominant
mutations of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 gene have recently been
identified in 50% of patients with familial disease and in 25% of sporadic cases.
The aetiology of PPH in the other patients remains unclear. Early diagnosis is
crucial for therapy. In this proposal of 7 European PPH centres we establish a
European PPH registry and analyse further genetic causes of the disease. For early
diagnosis of PPH family members of PPH index patients undergo non-invasive
screening (Doppler echocardiography during exercise an/or hypoxia;
spiroergometry) as well as genetic anlalysis. Furthermore, we study PPH
phenotypes, genotype/phenotype correlations, the course of disease, and options
for treatment.
Keywords: pulm hypertension, genetic screening, PPH registry
Co-ordinator:
Werner Seeger
Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
Department of International Medicine, Medizinische Klinik
II, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
Klinikstrasse 36
D - 35392 Giessen
Germany
Tel: + 496419942351
Fax: + 496419942359
E-mail: werner.seeger@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
__________________________________________________________________
108
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01123 Acronym: EUMNET
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 855.844 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A 2D DK E 4F 3I UK HR
A European network for myelofibrosis consensus on definition of disease
improvement and biological impact of new therapies
This project intends to provide a mechanism whereby new and promising
approaches to the management of Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia
(MMM) can be tested in a systematic and scientific manner. This objective is the
effort of a research network which first goal is to offer to the scientific community
a definition of improvement for MMM that will facilitate the standardisation,
conduct interpretation and efficiency of clinical trials and might also be useful to
physicians to decide how severe is the disease and if responded adequately to
therapy in routine clinical practice. Selection of outcome variables through
international surveys and a combination of statistical and consensus techniques
and methodologies are used. Moreover, as a prototype of future studies, the role of
cellular tyrosine kinase pathway in the myeloproliferation and the biological
outcome of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, STI 571, are evaluated.
Keywords: myelofibrosis, outcome, tyrosine kinase
Co-ordinator:
Giovanni Barosi
IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo
Laboratory of Medical Informatics
Viale Golgi 19
I - 27100 PAVIA
Italy
Tel: + 390382503636
Fax: + 390382503917
E-mail: barosig@smatteo.pv.it
__________________________________________________________________
109
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01196
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
EC contribution: 676.558 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: 4D E I 2UK
Acronym: PACA Targets
Area: 7.3
Duration: 36 months
Pancreatic cancer network: from candidate genes to medical applications
In the previous years, a large number of candidate disease genes for
pancreatic cancer have been identified by members of the consortium using highthroughput molecular techniques. Major aim of the next years is to foster the
transfer of candidate genes into medical applications in an integrated and coordinated European approach. As a prerequisite for this approach we now propose
to generate a European network for the optimised and co-ordinated use of basic
and clinical oncological facilities, resources, sample banks, patient databases and
expertise. The consortium includes basic molecular biology, molecular oncology,
pathology, medical and surgical oncology research groups. The CA will thus
generate a network providing the essential framework and standardised conditions
required to exploit molecular target genes at the level of public health as e.g. for
the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for pancreatic
cancer.
Keywords: pancreatic cancer, molecular target genes,
Co-ordinator:
Thomas Gress
Universitaet Ulm, Medizinische Fakultaet
Abteilung Innere Medizin I
Robert-Koch-Str. 8
D - 89081 Ulm
Germany
Tel: + 497315000
Fax: + 4973150024302
E-mail: thomas.gress@medizin.uni-ulm.de
__________________________________________________________________
110
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01215 Acronym: Chronic Kidney Disease
Contract signature: 11/10/2002
Area: 7.3
EC contribution: 2.357.035 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A 5D E F FIN 2I IRL NL UK
Common molecular pathways in progression of kidney disease
Throughout Europe and over the world millions of people are affected by
chronic renal failure leading to immense human suffering and an increasing
economic burden. Research in recent years has indicated a common pathway
responsible for progressive renal injury and endstage renal failure. Partial insight
has been achieved in the role of a few molecules that represent snapshots in time
of the complex, largely unknown regulatory pathways. In the concerted action on
renal fibrosis and scarring (BMH4-CT98-3631) we have established a unique
tissue bank of precious renal biopsies of patients with the most common causes of
renal disease from expert centres of the European Union. It is the purpose of the
present project to delineate the common molecular pathways of renal injury using
state of the art genomics and proteomics approaches and to design diagnostic tools
to predict progression and prevent end stage renal failure.
Keywords: chronic renal failure, renal fibrosis, sample banks, kidney
Co-ordinator:
Mohamed R. Daha
Leiden University (Medical Centre)
Department of Nephrology
Albinusdreef 2 POB 9600 / 2300 RC
NL - 2333 ZA Leiden
Netherlands
Tel: + 31715263964
Fax: + 31715248118
E-mail: m.r.daha@lumc.nl
__________________________________________________________________
111
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01287 Acronym: HSPforTherapie
Contract signature: 26/08/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.299.892 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D 2IL 2NL UK
Heat shock protein 60 as a novel therapeutic target for diabetes and rheumatoid
arthritis
Heat shock proteins are antigens of immune response in autoimmunity. In
experimental models they suppress inflammation and in clinical trials in diabetes
and arthritis hsp60 has a proven therapeutic potential. We propose to analyse the
underlying mechanisms by monitoring immunity to hsp60 in the models, in
patients and during hsp60 peptide trials, with respect to both the adaptive and the
innate part of the immune system.
Keywords: heat shock protein, diabetes, arthritis
Co-ordinator:
Willem van Eden
Utrecht University
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Yalelaan 1 POB 80.165
NL - 3508 TD Utrecht
Netherlands
Tel: + 31302534358
Fax: + 31302533555
E-mail: w.eden@vet.uu.nl
__________________________________________________________________
112
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01359 Acronym: PREHEAT
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 370.200 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D DK E F HU I NL NO S CH
Novel methods for predicting preventing and treating attacks in patients with
hereditary angioedema
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, potentially lethal disease caused
by the deficiency of Cl inhibitor. It is characterised by recurrent swelling of the
skin (causing disfiguration), of the bowel (causing severe abdominal pain), of the
upper airways (causing asphyxia). There is very low awareness to this disease;
thus a minority of patients reach correct diagnosis and treatment.
Small and dispersed case-lists and lack of epidemiological data lessen the
value of clinical studies and discourage research aimed to develop new therapeutic
strategies. We propose the creation of a European research group on HAE
composed of scientists, clinicians and associations of patients involved in the field
of HAE. The project is aimed to improve the quality of life of HAE patients
through: (i) creation of a European register for HAE; (ii) improvement of existing
therapeutic resources, and (iii) identification of new targets for therapy.
Keywords: hereditary angioedema, Cl inhibitor, asphyxia, European register
Co-ordinator:
Marco Cicardi
Università degli Studi di Milano
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna
Via Pace 15
I - 20122 Milano
Italy
Tel: + 39025460826
Fax: + 390255180354
E-mail: marco.cicardi@unimi.it
__________________________________________________________________
113
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01485 Acronym: EUROCHIMERISM
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 295.880 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A 2D E F 2I IRL 2NL S 2UK CH
Diagnostic approaches to chimerism testing after allogeneic stem cell
transplantation for early detection of graft rejection and relapse: technical
development, standardisation, and European co-ordinated clinical implementation
Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells from related or unrelated
donors is becoming an increasingly important approach to treatment of different
malignant and non-malignant disorders. There is thus growing demand for clinical
diagnostic methodologies permitting the surveillance of donor- and recipientderived hemopoiesis (=chimerism) during the posttransplant period. The
techniques currently used are very heterogeneous, rendering uniform evaluation
and comparison of diagnostic results between centres difficult.
International efforts aimed at the development of standardised methods are
therefore urgently needed. We intend to establish a diagnostic standard for the
monitoring of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Leading
laboratories in this field from 10 European countries collaborate to develop and
standardise a molecular diagnostic assay meeting stringent quality criteria that
could be adopted at all diagnostic centres involved. Implementation of
international consensus criteria for appropriate investigation of chimerism after
allogeneic SCT will provide a basis for optimum diagnostic support for clinical
decision making.
Keywords: chimerism, stem cell transplantation, posttransplant, diagnostic
standard
Co-ordinator:
Lion Thomas
Children's Cancer Research Institute
Kinderspitalgasse 6
A - 1090 Vienna
Austria
Tel: + 43140470489
Fax: + 43140470437
E-mail: lion@ccri.univie.ac.at
__________________________________________________________________
114
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01518 Acronym: UMEDS
Contract signature: 9/09/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.972.297 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 4D 3F I UK CH
Ultrasonographic monitoring and early diagnosis of stroke
The UMEDS project establishes non-invasive techniques for early
diagnosis and bedside monitoring of stroke to improve stroke outcome. An
important goal is to expand recent developments in microbubble technology and
ultrasonographic harmonic imaging to establish ultrasound techniques for both
qualitative and quantitative evaluation of brain perfusion. UMEDS develops new
technologies to meet these goals. These include an automated system for detection
of microemboli, a device for imaging the brain through the skull, a dual
transducer system for microemboli detection and enhanced features for
commercial applications of ultrasound perfusion imaging. We investigate novel
targeted microbubble technology for characterising microemboli.
Keywords: stroke, ultrasound, monitoring
Co-ordinator:
Stephen Meairs
Uniersitatsklinikum Mannheim, Klinikum Mannheim GmbH
Department of Neurology
Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer
D - 68135 Mannheim
Germany
Tel: + 496213833550
Fax: + 496213833807
E-mail: meairs@neuro.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
__________________________________________________________________
115
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01574
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
EC contribution: 999.969 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: A 2B D E F I S CH
Acronym: ENLIGHT
Area: 7.2
Duration: 36 months
European Network for research in LIGht ion Hadron Therapy
Cancer is 2nd only to heart disease as cause of premature death. Surgery
and radiotherapy (RT) are thus far the only available tools for non-systemic
curative treatment. 40% of the cured patients received RT. Still, 25 to 30% of
them will die due to local failure related to radio-resistance. This problem could
be overcome by using a new type of beam: light ions. Regional consortia in 5 EU
countries are developing with robust national funding a clinical facility to deliver
this treatment. Most of them use the PIMMS accelerator developed by the CERN
research centre. RTD in the clinical assessment (indications and trials), in a
common beam delivery system, biological dose optimisation, PET on line for
dose verification, treatment planning and cost-efficiency studies could be shared.
A concerted approach to the industrial spin-offs will cut costs and reinforce
Europe's health technology sector. This is the aim of ENLIGHT.
Keywords: cancer therapy, PET technology, radio-resistance
Co-ordinator:
Jean-Pierre Gérard
European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO)
Avenue Mounier, 83
B - 1200 Bruxelles
Belgium
Tel: + 3227759340
Fax: + 3227795494
E-mail: germaine.heeren@estro.be
__________________________________________________________________
116
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-81606 Acronym: CJD Markers
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 7
EC contribution: 235.200€
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D 2E I NL PL UK AU CH
Early clinical diagnosis of human spongiform encephalopathies by analysis of
biological fluids
The introduction of biochemical parameters (proteins such as 14-3-3,
NSE, S 100 and tau) have led to the improvement of the clinical diagnosis of CJD.
In the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, elevated levels in the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) support the diagnosis with a sensitivity and specificity
of about 93%. However, some disease phenotypes (such as variant CJD, sporadic
CJD with MV-2 phenotype and genetic cases) are negative for those parameters.
The project covers the work on further biochemical parameters (surrogate
markers) of the disease. A set of parameters for early diagnosis during lifetime is
established. Another aspect of the proposed study covers the detection
methodology of disease-specific prion protein in biological fluids such as CSF,
serum, plasma and urine using capillary electrophoresis. A sample bank from
patients with CJD, other dementia and normal controls are established.
Keywords: CJD, diagnosis, prion protein, sample bank
Co-ordinator:
Inga Zerr
Georg-August-University Goettingen, Faculty of Medicine
Department of Neurology
Robert-Koch-Str. 40 POB 37 42
D - 37075 Goettingen
Germany
Tel: + 49551396636
Fax: + 49551397020
E-mail: ingazerr@aol.com
__________________________________________________________________
117
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01632 Acronym: EURO-TWIN-2-TWIN
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.555.400 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2B 3D E F NL 2UK
Twin to twin transfusion syndrome and monochorionic twinning European
network
Monochorionic (MC) twins are rare (3/1,000) but have a much higher risk
of perinatal death or neurological sequelae than dichorionic twins or singleton
pregnancies. Furthermore, 15 % of MC twin gestations complicate with the twinto-twin transfusion syndrome (TTS). The cause for this poorer outcome lies in the
ever-present vascular connections in the MC placentas. Although MC status can
be identified early in pregnancy, this is often not done due to unawareness of its
consequences. There are neither data to offer guidance on how to follow up these
high-risk pregnancies, nor how to treat TTS. Clinical studies are proposed to
improve pathophysiologic insight, such as the determination of the natural history
of early-diagnosed MC twins and the exact risk for developing TTS. We evaluate
the incidence and nature of long term sequelae in survivors of TTS. A prospective
study is conducted to determine which is the best therapy for TTS, neurological
morbidity in survivors being the primary variable. In our study patients we
determine the placental angioarchitecture, correlate it to clinical pregnancy
outcome and use this information to establish a computer model for the disease. In
addition instrumental innovations are proposed to improve therapy of TTS and
abnormal MC twin pregnancy.
Keywords: monochronic twins, twin transfusion, perinatal death, fetoscopy
Co-ordinator:
Jan Deprest
Katoholieke Universiteit Leuven
Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven
Herestraat 49
B - 3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel: + 3216344215
Fax: + 3216344205
E-mail: jan.deprest@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
118
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01686 Acronym: EN-Vie
Contract signature: 25/09/2002
Area: 7.3
EC contribution: 661.975 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B D E F I 2NL P UK CH
European network for vascular disorders of the liver
The projected network aims at improving care for patients with hepatic or
portal vein thrombosis through recommendations based on scientific evidence
regularly up-dated by the scientific results gained by the project. A board will
gather 10 world-leading experts from 9 countries, with overlapping expertise. The
board will federate 9 specific national networks acting as well as for data
collection, as for counselling individual professionals or patients. Communication
is through a dedicated website. Data exploitation targets clarification of aetiology
and assessment of therapy; it includes planning for future clinical studies on
project-raised hypotheses and basic research on registered samples. The whole
network, database, and sample register should become permanent through the
active search for other funding. This project is intended to be used as a template to
be adapted for other networks on similarly rare and severe disorders.
Keywords: hepatic vessels, rare liver disorders, thrombosis
Co-ordinator:
Valla Dominique
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Service d'Hépatologie - Hôpital Beaujon
Boulevard du General Leclerc, 100
F - 92110 Clichy
France
Tel: + 33140875594
Fax: + 33142700983
E-mail: dominique.valla@bjn.ap-hop-paris.fr
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119
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01735 Acronym: Early Lung Cancer
Contract signature: 4/10/2002
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 3.045.025 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D DK E 2F I 3NL 3UK
The use of molecular biomarkers in early lung cancer detection
The overall goal of the project involving 12 partners, is to determine if
specific genetic changes in lung carcinogenesis are detectable in the respiratory
epithelium of individuals who have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Partners are enrolling 1200 individuals with a very high risk of developing lung
cancer, i.e. Second Primary Lung Cancers (SPLC) in 12 clinical centres in
Europe. The recruited individuals are followed-up over 3 years, 1-3% per year
will develop SPLC (-100 SPLC). Specimens obtained are 'banked' and assessed
for a range of molecular/pathological markers considered to be involved in
carcinogenesis. We have tackled the question of early detection on a molecular
pathway approach and plan to examine oncogenic pathways and cell cycle
regulation, genetic instability, angiogenic and growth factors, signal pathways,
post-transcriptional regulation, genomic expression profiling and genotyping.
Keywords: lung cancer, biomarkers, early detection
Co-ordinator:
John Field
University of Liverpool
Roy Castle International Centre for Lung Cancer Research
Abercromby Square POB Senate House
UK - Liverpool L69 3BX
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441517948900
Fax: + 441517948989
E-mail: j.k.field@liv.ac.uk
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120
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01738 Acronym: REGISCAR
Contract signature: 14/08/2002
Area: 7.3
EC contribution: 1.000.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A B 2D E 3F I IL NL P S UK
European registry of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) to drugs and
collection of biological samples
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), acute
generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and drug reaction with eosinophilia
and systemic symptoms (DRESS) are rare but severe cutaneous adverse reactions
(SCAR) to drugs with high morbidity and mortality. Based on 11 countries, the
project aims are 1) a European registry of SCAR, 2) a centralised collection of
biological samples, and 3) a large cohort of patients. This registry will extend
prior studies on pharmacoepidemiology and allow continuous surveillance of new
drugs. The sample bank will allow to investigate the immunologic mechanisms of
SCAR, and to look for candidate genes. The cohort will provide insights on the
outcome, impact of sequelae on the quality of life and possible treatments of these
reactions. With the world largest database on SCAR, a European registry will
provide reference information to regulatory agencies, drug companies, physicians
and patients.
Keywords: adverse drug effects, registry, sample bank
Co-ordinator:
Maja Mockenhaupt
Universitaetsklinikum
Department of Dermatology
Dokumentationszentrum Schwerer Hautreaktionen (DZH)
Hauptstr. 7
D - 79104 Freiburg
Germany
Tel: + 497612706723
Fax: + 497612706834
E-mail: dzh@haut.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
121
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01756 Acronym: PNSEURONETWORK
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 7.3
EC contribution: 1.243.121 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A CZ D E 3F FIN 5I 2NL SI 3UK
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes (PNS)
clinical and laboratory aspects
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes (PNS) are rare diseases that can
arise as remote effects of cancers. Since these syndromes are often the first sign of
malignancy, correct diagnosis through the detection of specific autoantibodies
could lead to early tumour discovery, when treatment could be successful. The
infrequent PNS occurrence makes it difficult to carry out extensive studies, a
limitation, which can only be solved through international collaborative studies.
The aim of this project is to develop a European partnership to produce a
database, organise a sample bank for use by the participants in which sufficient,
comparable data can be collected and finalised for clinico-laboratory studies. This
would permit exploitation of data for scientific research, marking an important
advance in neurological diagnosis and early cancer detection.
Keywords: paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, database, sample bank
Co-ordinator:
Bruno Giometto
Azienda ULSS 16 Padova
Clinica Neurologica II
Via E. degli Scrovegni, 14
I - 35131 PADOVA
CEDEX 1
Italy
Tel: + 390498216346
Fax: + 390498216358
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122
Project number: QLG1-CT-2002-01886 Acronym: Action LADA
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 7.2
EC contribution: 1.698.163 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A 2D DK E 2F FIN I IL 3UK
Prevalance, characterisation and prevention of latent autoimmune diabetes in
adults (LADA) in Europe
A substantial proportion of patients with non-insulin requiring diabetes
progress to insulin therapy. Many cases, despite being adults, have immune and
genetic features of autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Such adult autoimmune noninsulin requiring diabetic patients probably comprise the majority of cases of
autoimmune diabetes in Europe and their condition is described as latent
autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). This project aims: 1) to define the
prevalence of LADA across Europe by testing non-insulin requiring diabetes
patients for antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase; 2) to characterise LADA in
terms of genetic, immune and metabolic features, and 3) to prevent or delay
progression to insulin dependence in LADA using an immune modulation therapy
with a heat shock protein altered peptide (Diapep 277). The double-blind
randomised prevention trial will determine in a group of recent onset LADA
patients whether therapy with Diapep277 can modify the natural history of the
disease. Such therapy, if successful in reducing progression to insulin dependence,
could be used to prevent autoimmune type 1 diabetes in children.
Keywords: LADA, DiaPep277, GAD
Co-ordinator:
Richard David Graham Leslie
University of London QMW
Department of Diabetes and Immunology
3rd Floor Dominion House, 59 Bartholomew Close
UK - London EC1A 7BE
United Kingdom
Tel: + 02076017450
Fax: + 02076017449
E-mail: r.d.g.leslie@mds.qmw.ac.uk
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123
124
Area 8: Research into Genomes and Diseases of
Genetic Origin
125
126
Project number: QLG2-1999-00149
Acronym: Pancreas Development
Contract signature: 13/01/2000
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 2.157.139 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B D I IL S
Molecular mechanisms controlling pancreas organogenesis and differentiation
of pancreatic cell types
The major goal of this project is to indentify genes which play an
important role in pancreas development and to elaborate a model describing
pancreas organogenesis. This will be achieved in four stages: i) cloning of novel
putative regulatory genes from pancreatic cells, ii) analysis of the expression
pattern of these novel genes, iii) determination of the function of the new genes,
iv) study of the regulatory circuits existing between these factors. These tasks will
be performed by taking advantage of three complementary biological models: i)
mammalian pancreatic cell lines, ii) zebrafish and iii) mouse. Also, we will
determine whether differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into pancreatic
beta cell type can be achieved through the controlled expression of key pancreatic
factors identified during this project. This project is likely to have profound
impacts for the development of new diagnostics tools or of new therapies for
diabetes.
Keywords: pancreas, organogenesis, diabetes
Co-ordinator:
Bernard Peers
Université de Liège
Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génie Génétique
Institut de Chimie
Allée du VI Août Box 6
B – 4000 Sart-Tilman
Belgium
Tel : +32 43663374
Fax: +32 43662968
E-mail: Bpeers@ulg.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
127
Project number: QLG2-1999-00351
Acronym: EXOTIC
Contract signature: 28/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 2.651.621 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B D 3DK E I NL 2UK CH
Exon trapping insert consortium
A network of laboratories will be formed to create a large population of
gene-trap insertions in the genome of Arabidopsis Thaliana to detect the spatial
and temporal expression patterns of approximately 5.000 genes and to identify
and characterise the regulatory elements of these genes. Data obtained on the
genes in which transposons are inserted will be obtained by sequencing the
insertion site and this will be related to genome sequence and expression patterns
in a functional genomics database. Gene expression patterns in a wide range of
tissues and conditions will be defined and put in the database. The products of
research will be a powerful resource to analyse the function of 20% of the gene in
Arabidopsis and these will be exploited by industrial partners.
Keywords: arabidopsis, gene expression, gene function
Co-ordinator:
Mary Anderson
AMICA Science EEIG
John Innes Centre
Norwich Research Park
Colney
UK - Norwich NR4 7UH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1603452571
Fax: +44 1603456844
E-mail: mary.anderson@bbsrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
128
Project number: QLG2-1999-00454
Acronym: ECCO
Contract signature: 24/01/2000
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 2.927.921 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: A 2B D E 3F HU 2UK
European cell cycle consortium
Cell division in plants is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of
research in agro-industry. Because of its fundamental role in plant development,
technologies related to cell division are expected to open up a wide range o f
applications in the field of sexual reproduction, apoximis, regeneration,
germination, plant architecture, control of methods and geminiviruses and, most
importantly, in crop yield. Cell division is controlled by a complex molecular
machinery, named "the cell cycle", involving over one hundred proteins. The
isolation and characterisation of cell cycle genes, together with an understanding
of the impact of these genes on the development, growth and physiology of the
plant are the prime objectives of the ECCO project. ECCO therefore brings a
functional genomics approach to cell cycle, creating knowledge and tools for
direct application in agriculture. ECCO is the first European initiative on cell
cycle in plants
Keywords: functional genomics, cell cycle, arabidopsis
Co-ordinator:
W. Van Camp
Cropdesign N.V.
Technologiepark 3
B - 9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
Tel: +32 92415084
Fax: +32 92415089
E-mail: wim.vancamp@cropdesign.com
_________________________________________________________________
129
Project number: QLG2-1999-00546
Acronym: GIFT
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 3.248.190 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: DK E 3F S 3UK CH
Genomic integrated force for Type II Diabetes
More than 35 millions of Europeans are expected to develop Type II
Diabetes by the year 2010. This challenge merits a multinational effort espoused
in this application; (a) GIFT assembles a range of interdisciplinary expertise; (b)
GIFT participants have a long history of fruitful international collaborations; (c)
analysis of different populations is a useful tool to identify etiological genes,
characterise the role of causing variants and genes/environment interactions,
which may improve public health care. GIFT seeks to develop an exiting
Genomic Integrated Force, aiming the improvement of genomic approaches in
complex traits, using Type II Diabetes as a paradigm for multifactorial conditions.
GIFT could have economic impacts by reducing massive health care, disability
and social costs and by promoting biotechnology and phamaceutical industry.
Keywords: diabetes, genomics, cloning
Co-ordinator:
Philippe Froguel
CNRS
Department of Human Genetics
1 Rue du Calmette
F - 59019 Lille
France
Tel: +33 320877954
Fax: +33 320877229
E-mail: philippe.froguel@xenope.pasteur-lille.fr
__________________________________________________________________
130
Project number: QLG2-1999-00660
Acronym: Lysyl-tRNA in Diseases
Contract signature: 24/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 1.404.243 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D DK 2F IRL
A functional genomics study of lysyl-tRNA synthesis as a target for the
diagnosis and treatment of microbial infections and mitochondrial myopathies
Genome sequence data present new avenues to investigate certain
diseases. Such studies would be facilitated by the availability of model systems in
which to test potential targets. This project is aimed at developing such systems
for lysyl-tRNA synthesis, an essential pathway in protein biosynthesis. Several
pathogens contain novel enzymes for lysyl-tRNA synthesis, which are ideal
diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Also, defects in lysyl-tRNA synthesis are
responsible for some mitochondrial myopathies. After initial in vitro studies,
genes encoding the appropriate enzymes will be used to establish Bacillus subtilis
tester strains. This will provide a means to readily test predictions from in vitro
studies. The final validation will be performed with the pathogens themselves and
with human cell lines. The general principles of functional genomics, which will
be developed in this project, can be readily extended to other essential pathways.
Keywords: functional genomics, microbial infections, mitochondrial myopathies
Co-ordinator:
Michael Ibba
Centre for Biomolecular Recognition
Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics B
The Panum Institute
University of Copenhagen
Blegdamsvej 3C
DK - 2200 N Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45 35327771
Fax: +45 35396042
E-mail: mibba@imbg.ku.dk
__________________________________________________________________
131
Project number: QLG2-1999-00713
Acronym: Genomes Immunogen
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 1.268.000 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D DK
Genomes translated into predictions of immune recognition
Complete genomes from several species including many pathogenic
microorganisms are rapidly becoming available along with the corresponding
"proteomes". Even at the peptide level, the diversity of proteome is enormous and
easily represents a unique imprint of the originating organism. It is perhaps not
surprising that the immune system considers peptides as key targets. Recent
immunological advances have shown that MHC molecules act as peptide selector
for immune recognition. We propose to generate accurate predictions of peptide
binding to MHS and use these to identify immunogenic epitopes directly from
genomic data. This represents and immediate and powerful application and
interpretation of genomic data and should be able to identify vaccine candidates
from microbial genomes. Also, putative autoimmune epitopes should be deducible
from the humane genome project.
Keywords: immune recognition, pathogenic microorganisms, putative
autoimmune epitopes
Co-ordinator:
Soeren Buus
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Department of Experimental Immunology
Panum 18.3.22
Blegdamsvej 3C
DK - 2200 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45 35327885
Fax: +45 35327853
E-mail: s.buus@immi.ku.dk
__________________________________________________________________
132
Project number: QLG2-1999-00741
Acronym: Sex Determination
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 951.940 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D F I UK
Genetic dissection of gonad formation and sex determination
To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying proper mammalian
development is one of the most pressing tasks for modern biomedical science. The
complicated processes leading to genetic disease can only be understood, if we
comprehend normal development. To study differentiation processes we have
decided to focus on the development of the gonad, which is widely believed to be
the best model system. We are planning to elucidate differentiation on a molecular
level using a variety of approaches. In vitro studies will be performed to define
interactions between known factors. Transgenic and knock-out animals will be
generated to analyse gene function in an in vivo environment. Positional cloning
of genes from patients with sex-reversal phenotypes will be used to identify new
players and explore patterns of evolution in this highly diverged system.
Keywords: sex determination, gonads, differentiation
Co-ordinator:
Andreas Schedl
Max-Delbrück-Centrum for Molecular Medicine
Robert-Roessle Strasse 10
D - 13092 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 3094062337
Fax: +49 3094062110
E-mail: aschedl@mdc-berlin.de
__________________________________________________________________
133
Project number: QLG2-1999-00786
Acronym: Cancer Genes at 11q23
Contract signature: 27/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 1.007.078 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2I S UK
Cancer anatomy of chromosome 11q23: identification, mutation, expression
and functional analyses of tumour susceptibility genes
This projects seeks to identify and define the role of genes located within
two non- overlapping regions (LOH regions 1 and 2) at chromosome 11q23 that
are frequently deleted in various types of human neoplasme. The project proposes
to determine the transcriptional map of these regions by mapping ESTs and
sequencing the entire LOH region 2. It also proposes to characterise resident
genes for their expression pattern and presence of mutation tumour samples. For
genes involved in tumourgenesis by mutation/expression studies functional
studies involving suppression of tumourgenicity assays, animal models and
identification of interacting proteins will be conducted. As an internal service, we
will develop a tumour databank that should serve the scientific needs of the
consortium. We expect to open the way to the development of new molecular
diagnostics and to the identification of new biological targets for therapeutic
intervention.
Keywords: cancer genes, chromosome 11q23, tumourgenesis
Co-ordinator:
Massimo Negrini
Università degli Studi di Ferrara
Dipartimento di Medicino Sperimentale e Diagnostica
Sezione di Microbiologia
Via Luigi Borsari 46
I – 44100 Ferrara
Italy
Tel: +39 532291399
Fax: +39 532247618
E-mail: ngm@dns.unife.it
__________________________________________________________________
134
Project number: QLG2-1999-00791
Acronym: Gene-X Consortium
Contract signature: 3/02/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 1.928.150 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2F 2I
A complete collection of X chromosome genes: an important tool for systematic
expression studies and disease gene identification
The sequence data of the X chromosome is rapidly growing and the
complete sequence is expected to be available by the year 2000. We propose to
use the resources of the Human Genome Project to assemble the largest and most
complete collection of X chromosome transcripts (estimated number 3,000-4,000)
and to clone full-length cDNAs. Newly identified transcripts will be characterised
and correlated to the critical regions of X-linked disorders to identify candidate
disease genes. We further propose the construction of validated X-chromosome
microarrays in order to perform systematic expression studies (X-inactivation)
and to identify disease genes with special emphasis on genes responsible for X
linked mental retardation. The transcript data and cDNA clones will be made
available to the scientific community. The availability of all transcripts will
facilitate the transition from genomics to functional genomics.
Keywords: X-chromosome, microarray, functional genomics
Co-ordinator:
Franco Brunella
Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM)
Via Olgettina 58
I - 20132 Milan
Italy
Tel: +39 221560202
Fax: +39 221560220
E-mail: franco@tigem.it.
__________________________________________________________________
135
Project number: QLG2-1999-00793
Acronym: EUREXPRESS
Contract signature: 28/01/2000
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 1.947.973 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D E F I 2UK
EURExpress, a European consortium for large scale gene expression analysis
by RNA in situ hybridisation
The number of gene sequences generated by the Human Genome Project
effort is rapidly increasing. There will be a need to expand our knowledge on the
expression of these genes by systematically documenting expression patterns in
various organs, tissues and cell types. A high-resolution analysis of gene
expression can be performed by RNA in situ hybridisation, which allows a
definition of gene expression with high accuracy. We propose to develop an
international consortium of seven European groups on gene expression studies
and to carry out a high-throughput expression study by RNA in situ hybridisation
on a large number of human and murine genes of high biological interest. The
genes will be selected by means of extensive bioinformatic searches of the public
sequence databases. These systematic expression studies will be conducted using
novel automated procedure that will allow a high-throughput outcome outcome,
which is, to date, unparalleled by any previous efforts in this field.
Keywords: functional genomics, gene expression, RNA in situ hybrid
Co-ordinator:
Andrea Ballabio
Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM)
Via Olgettina 58
I - 20132 Milan
Italy
Tel: +39 2215601
Fax: +39 221560220
E-mail: ballabio@tigem.it
__________________________________________________________________
136
Project number: QLG2-1999-00876
Acronym: REGIA
Contract signature: 18/01/2000
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 8.468.995 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2B 7D 3E 2F 4I IRL 2NL S 8UK
Regulatory gene initiative in Arabidopsis
Transcription factors (TP) are recognised as having a great
biotechnological potential and also to have played a pivotal role in the evolution
of plants. The aim of this the project is to establish the function of plant TFs and it
will involve i)the definition of TF gene expression patterns in Arabidopsis, ii) the
identification of insertion mutations at TF loci, iii) the ectopic expression of TFs
(or derivatives) in Arabidopsis and in crop plants; iv) their phenotypic analysis, v)
the analysis of interactions between TFs and vi) the generation of a bioinformatics
infrastructure. This programme will help to reveal the full biotechnological
potential of plant TFs and provide insights into hierarchies, redundancies,
interdependencies and into their evolution. The study will involve the preparation
of a TF gene array and of a normalised TF ORF library in a 2- Hybrid vector, two
tasks justifying the European dimension of the project.
Keywords: functional genomics, transcription factor, two hybrid
Co-ordinator:
Mary Anderson
AMICA Science EEIG
John Innes Centre
Norwich Research
Corney
UK - Norwich NR4 7UH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1603452571
Fax: +44 1603456844
E-mail: mary.anderson@bbsrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
137
Project number: QLG2-1999-00920
Acronym: FINGER
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 1.202.656 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2I NL 2UK
Functional analysis of introns and gene regulatory sequences aimed at targeted
modulation of gene expression
Regulation of gene expression is a complex phenomenon poorly
understood. Our project aims to improve our knowledge about non-coding
sequences, increasingly show to be relevant for modulating gene expression, using
dystrophin gene and dystrophinopathies as model. Among the series of
characterised patients, available in the collaborative units, several have unusual
mutations and phenotype suggesting a role of non-coding regions. We will
analyse these patients in order to identify and functionally study the regulatory
sequences responsible. We will define the intronic breakpoints as well as other
non-coding regions involved in dystrophin mutations. We will characterise these
sequences by experimental studies to test their regulatory function with particular
attention to those involved in pre-mRNA splicing. We will evaluate the feasibility
of a targeted modulation of dystrophin gene expression using antisense
oligonucleotides.
Keywords: gene expression, splicing, functional study
Co-ordinator:
Alessandra Ferlini
UNIFE
Dipartimento di Medicina sperimentale e Diagnostica
Sezione di Genetica Medica
University of Ferrara
Via Borsari 46
I – 44100 Ferrara
Italy
Tel: +39 532291380
Fax: +39 532291387
E-mail: fla@dna.unife
__________________________________________________________________
138
Project number: QLG2-1999-00932
Acronym: REALIS
Contract signature: 24/01/2000
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 2.542.656 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 4D 3E 2F
Molecular strategies for adaptation and survival: postgenomic analysis of the
lifestyles of Listeria monocytogenes in the environment and the infected host
Pathogenic intracellular bacteria cause many severe forms of disease
worldwide with devastating morbidity and high mortality rates. Understanding the
basis of their different lifestyles within the infected host cell and in their
environmental niches is still in its infancy. The facultative intracellular bacterial
pathogen Listeria monocytogenes has emerged as an important model to study the
successful survival and adaptation to such different lifestyles. REALIS aims to
completely decipher all genes involved in these processes. REALIS also addresses
fundamental questions regarding evolutionary relationships between pathogenic
and non-pathogenic Listeria. This functional elucidation will have a profound
impact on the risk management in agriculture, the food industry, in health care
and clinical settings.
Keywords: pathogenomics, listeria, integrated database
Co-ordinator:
Jürgen Wehland
Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung mbH
Cell Biology
Mascheroder Weg 1
D - 38124 Braunschweig
Germany
Tel: +49 5316181415
Fax: +49 5316181444
E-mail: wehland@gbf.de
__________________________________________________________________
139
Project number: QLG2-1999-00941
Acronym: AUTISM MOLGEN
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 397.290 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: 2D DK EL F NL 9UK 3US
An international collaborative molecular genetic study of autism and milder
phenotypes
The consortium will characterise the top three susceptibility loci for
autism. We will recruit and assess 200 affected relative pairs and 400 singletons to
identify susceptibility loci using linkage and association strategies. To be able to
use quantitative trait loci approaches, the consortium will assess milder
phenotypes in relatives of multiplex families and a further 100 families containing
a proband and affected relative will be examined. A twin sample will also be
assessed. The susceptibility locus on 7q will be tested for linkage disequilibrium
followed by identification of coding regions; brain expressed candidates genes
will be tested for etiological variants and gene function characterised. Areas of
linkage disequilibrium for susceptibility loci 2 and 3 will be replicated in
collaborating laboratories and the etiological variants identified.
Keywords: autism, gene function, brain expressed candidate genes
Co-ordinator:
Anthony Bailey
Institute of Psychiatry
MRC Child Psychiatry Unit
De Crespigny Park
Denmark Hill
UK - London SE5 8AF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1712525756
Fax: +44 1712525107
E-mail: anthony.bailey@iop.kcl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
140
Project number: QLG2-1999-00988
Acronym: Hereditary Deafness
Contract signature: 30/12/1999
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 2.122.557 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: E F IL 4UK
Human hereditary deafness - identification of genes, molecular diagnostic tests,
epidemiological data, understanding pathogenesis and search for therapies
The project aims to address the needs of deaf patients (22.5 million
individuals in the EU). By performing research which will lead to high quality
genetic counselling and the discovery of curative treatments. To fulfil these
expectations a number of deaf humans will be isolated and molecular diagnostic
test associated with a detailed clinical description of the different gene defect will
be developed. The major challenge i.e. the development of new therapies will be
tackled directly as well as by elucidating the underling defective pathways. To
achieve this complementary approaches will be set up and mouse and zebrafish
model for human deafness will be generated with much effort on the connexin 26
gene defect 50% of congenital deafness. The role of the deafness gene in the
susceptibility to environmental causes of hearing loss i.e. to noise and
aminoglycosides will be also analysed. Finally the consortium will produce
epidemiological data on hereditary deafness in the EU.
Keywords: hereditary deafness, genes molecular diagnostic tests,
Co-ordinator:
Christine Petit
Institut Pasteur
Unité de Génétique des Déficits Sensoriels
28 Rue du Docteur Roux
F – 75724 Paris
France
Tel: +33 145688850
Fax: +33 145676978
E-mail: cpetit@pasteur.fr
__________________________________________________________________
141
Project number: QLG2-1999-01003
Acronym: FIND STRUCTURE
Contract signature: 24/01/2000
Area: 8.2.
EU contribution: 1.499.500 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D I 2NL 2UK
Fast interpretation of NMR data for structural and functional analysis of
proteins
A tested and validated NMR toolkit for the fast determination of protein
structures, in particular for proteins containing new folds, is developed in the
project. The time needed to find a novel protein fold will be reduced by at least a
factor of five over current procedures, by using automated techniques for the
determination of secondary and tertiary structure and the integration of NMR,
proteins expression and bioinformatics procedures. In the NMR structure
determination NMR parameters depending on the partial alignment of the protein
solute, i.a. residual dipolar coupling, chemical shift anisotropy and paramagnetic
effects and cross-correlation effects will be used to J-couplings and NOE's.
Keywords: structural analysis, bioinformatics, NMR spectroscopy
Co-ordinator:
Robert Kaptein
Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research
Faculty of Chemistry
University Utrecht
Department of NMR Spectroscopy
Padualaan 8
NL -3584 CH Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 302533787
Fax: +31 302537623
E-mail: kaptein@nmr.chem.uu.nl
__________________________________________________________________
142
Project number: QLG2-1999-01211
Acronym: EUCIP
Contract signature: 6/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 2.778.255 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D F I 2UK 2CH
European cancer immunome database
The aim of this project is to provide new insights into cancer associated
genotypic and phenotypic alternations and to provide novel tools and new markers
potentially suitable for the screening, diagnosis, therapy, monitoring and
prognostic evaluation of human malignancies. The strategy used therefore is the
systematic identification and comprehensive analysis of genes and gene products
with a verified cancer related immunogenecity designated as Cancer Immunome.
To ensure the fast dissemination of information the data obtained by these studies
will be used to build up a comprehensive public database of the Cancer
Immunome easily accessible for scientists from different fields via Internet.
Keywords: database, cancer, immunogenecity
Co-ordinator:
Ugur Sahin
Saarland University
Department of Internal Medicine
Building 40
D - 66421 Homburg (Saar)
Germany
Tel: +49 6841163075(Tel.)
Fax: +49 6841163055(Fax.)
E-mail: inusah@med-rz.uni-sb.de
__________________________________________________________________
143
Project number: QLG2-1999-01455
Acronym: BACELL Network
Contract signature: 27/01/2000
Area: 8.1.
EU contribution: 2.700.394 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 4F FIN IRL NL UK
From gene regulation to gene function: regulatory networks in the grampositive bacterium Bacillus Subtilis
As unicellular organisms, bacteria must match their metabolic activity to
the requirements of the environment. This is achieved by regulatory networks that
respond to intra-and extra-cellular signals by modulating gene expression. This
project aims to generate new data on the regulation of gene expression in bacillus
subtilis using state-of-the-art technologies for analysing the proteome and
transcriptome. The information will be constructed, in silico, into a model of the
global regulatory networks that result from interactions between individual
regulatory circuits. It will make full use of bioinformatical and physical resources
generated by the European bacillus community during previous sequencing and
functional analysis projects. The data will provide clues to general stress
mechanisms induced in pathogenic bacteria in response to infection. A major
outcome will be an innovative transcriptional database, subscript, that is interlinked to existing genomic, proteomic and phenotypic databases, to provide one of
the most complete descriptions of living organism.
Keywords: bacillus subtilis, gene networks, global expression
Co-ordinator:
Colin R. Harwood
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Medical School
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Framlington Place
UK - Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1912227708(Tel.)
Fax: +44 1912227736(Fax.)
E-mail: colin.harwood@ncl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
144
Project number: QLG2-2000-00345
Acronym: GENEXTRA
Contract signature: 21/09/2000
Area: 8.3.
EU contribution: 2.189.290 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D EL I NL 3UK
Development of novel gene expression and genome modification strategies
Gene transfer protocols used for biomolecule productions and therapeutic
strategies suffer from lack of control of the fate of the foreign DNA within the
host genome. The efficient expression of the transferred DNA relies on the site of
its integration, on the presence of cis DNA regulatory elements and on nuclear
proteins which participate in the formation of the chromatin at the transgenic
locus. This project aims at studying all these contributing factors in order to
develop methods which can target the foreign DNA at preselected,
precharacterised sites in the genome and guarantee stable and/or regulated
expression of the transferred genes, without interrupting or activating endogenous
neighbouring gene loci.
Keywords: chromatin, transgenic locus, regulated expression
Co-ordinator:
Dimitris Kioussis
Medical Research Council
Division of Molecular Immunology
National Institute for Medical Research
The Ridgeway
UK - London NW7 1AA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-208 9593666
Fax: +44-208 9138531
E-mail: dkiouss@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
145
Project number: QLG2-2000-00603
Acronym: ApoTool
Contract signature: 1/12/2000
Area: 8.3.
EU contribution: 1.895.847 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D I 3NL UK CH
Natural apomixis as a novel tool in plant breeding
Most crops are sexually propagating plants in which the embryo,
encapsulated in a seed is formed as a result of a fertilisation event. For the embryo
and the seed to develop normally, a second fertilisation event-giving rise to the
endosperm is required. In contrast, apomictic plants reproduce asexually by means
of seeds. In all cases of apomixis, through the avoidance of meiosis and
fertilisation, the offspring is genetically identical to that of the mother plant.
Apomixis is widespread in plants, but not among crops. This project will compare
sexual and apomictic pathways in model species and crops. In combination with
functional tests and powerful assays it will shed light on the genetic control of
apomixis. The project will provide the tools and technology necessary to harness
individual elements of apomixis and to perform first functional tests in both model
systems and crops.
Keywords: natural apomixis, propagating plants, fertilisation event
Co-ordinator:
Sacco de Vries
Wageningen University
Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Dreijenlaan 3
NL - 6703 HA Wageningen
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-317 484325
Fax: +31-317 483584
E-mail: sacco.devries@mac.mb.wag-ur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
146
Project number: QLG2-2000-00676
Acronym: MEDICAGO
Contract signature: 30/11/2000
Area: 8.3.
EU contribution: 2.074.367 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D 5F HU NL 2UK
Integrated structural, functional and comparative genomics of the model
legume Medicago Truncatula
Plant endosymbioses with mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen- fixing nodule
bacteria play a crucial role in the cycle of phosphorus and nitrogen in most
agricultural ecosystems. Arabidopsis thaliana is unable establish root
endosymbioses. Medicago truncatula has been chosen as a model legumeio study
the symbiotic genetic programmes of plants and facilitate the genetics and
breeding of important legume crops such as pea, faba bean, alfalfa and clover. We
propose a functional genomics project to identify most of the plant genes whose
expression is modified in the course of symbiotic and pathogenic interactions, as
well as other genes of agricultural importance which cannot be easily studied with
A. thaliana. Structural genomics will provide genetic and physical maps to
establish the distribution of important genes on the genome and facilitate their
cloning. Comparative genomics will provide methods to transfer information
gained from M. truncatula to legume crops.
Keywords: plant endosymbioses, mycorrhizal fungi, medicago truncatula
Co-ordinator:
Jean Dénarié
INRA
Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire
des Relations Plantes Microorganismes
Chemin de Borde Rouge, BP 27
F - 31326 Castanet Tolosan
France
Tel: +33-05 612 850 50
Fax: +33-05 612 85 061
E-mail: denarie@toulouse.inra.fr
__________________________________________________________________
147
Project number: QLG2-2000-00821
Acronym: JUMPY
Contract signature: 23/11/2000
Area: 8.3.
EU contribution: 1.183.220 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2F UK
Transposon-based strategies for functional genomic analyses in Xenopus
Tropicalis, a vertebrate model system for developmental and biomedical
research
The pace at which sequence information is generated in various model
organisms is rapidly growing. However, the ability to generate genetic
information has far outstripped our ability analyse it to the point that it is
medically relevant. Clearly, functional genomic analyses might benefit from 1)
novel genetic models, whose purpose is to complement existing models to obtain
comprehensive genetic data on the functional level; and 2) methodology that can
bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype in order to understand gene
function in vertebrate organisms. Accordingly, we propose to lay the foundation
of using Xenopus tropicalis as a vertebrate model system for biomedical research
by developing transposable elements as molecular tools for functional genomics.
In this project we propose to cover the full spectrum of gene analysis by: 1)
developing efficient transposable element vectors for the introduction of nucleic
acid into frog chromosomes; 2) applying transposon technology to efficiently
inactivate and rapidly isolate genes in the amphibian model; 3) applying
transposon technology to express genes in different tissues of the amphibian
model in order to establish gene function and involvement of gene products in
cellular pathways.
Keywords: functional genomic, xenopus tropicalis, transposon technology
Co-ordinator:
Zoltán Ivics
Max Delbrück Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin
Robert Rössle Strasse 10, PO Box 740238
D - 13092 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49-30 94062546
Fax: +49-30 94063382
E-mail: zivics@mdc-berlin.de
__________________________________________________________________
148
Project number: QLG2-2000-01287
Acronym: IMGT
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 8.4.
EU contribution: 1.250.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B F NL 2UK
Integrated system to manage the enormous complexity of the genome and
proteome of the specific immune response: IMGT, the international
immunogenetics database
Europe has taken a lead in the development of IGMT, an high-quality
integrated ImMunoGeneTics database, unique in the world, specialised in the
complex gene families of the specific immune response in human and other
vertebrates: Immunoglobulins (Ig), T cell Receptors (TcR) and MHC. LIGMCNRS (F), EBI (UK), ICRF (UK), BPRC (NL) and EUROGENTEC (B) propose
to expand IMGT into an information system which will integrate and provide a
common access to all protein, polymorphism and structural Ig, TcR and MHC
data. By management of the enormous complexity of the immunogenetics data,
IMGT will be crucial for functional and comparative genomics of the immune
system, biotechnologies and therapeutic approaches such as vaccines, grafts,
immunotherapies. IMGT will be of immense value for Medicine, Biotechnology
and the European Pharmaceutical Industry and will considerably help to
strengthen Europe's role in these areas.
Keywords: immunoglobulin, T cell receptors, MHC
Co-ordinator:
Marie-Paule Lefranc
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
IMGT, The International ImMunoGenetics Database
LIGM, IGH, UPR CNRS 1142
Rue de la Cardonille n 141
F - 34396 Montpellier
France
Tel: +33-4 99619965
Fax: +33-4 99619901
E-mail: lefranc@ligm.igh.cnrs.fr
__________________________________________________________________
149
Project number: QLG2-2000-01313
Acronym: NMRQUAL
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 8.4.
EU contribution: 1.499.303 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2NL 5UK
NMR structure validation: integration into the structure determination process
The partners of the NMRQUAL project propose to: 1. Include structure
validation tools in all stages of the NMR structure determination process. 2.
Optimise existing validation tools and design new validation software for this
purpose 3. Define new quality indicators. 4. Improve existing structure
determination software by letting it use validation results. 5. Integrate all stages of
the NMR structure determination process by passing data and error estimates back
and forth via standardised data exchange protocols. 6. Design structure
determination tools that use data in innovative ways.
Keywords: NMR, structure determination process, standardised data exchange
Co-ordinator:
Robert Kaptein
Bijvoet Centre for Bimolecular Research
Department NMR Spectroscopy
Faculty of Chemistry
University of Utrecht
Padualaan 8
NL - 3584 CH Utrecht
Netherlands
Tel: +31-30 2533787
Fax: +31-30 2537623
E-mail: r.kaptein@chem.uu.nl
__________________________________________________________________
150
Project number: QLG2-2000-01590
Acronym: Modelling Preleukemia Processes
Contract signature: 16/11/2000
Area: 8.3.
EU contribution: 989.667 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D EL 2UK
Modelling human pre-leukemic syndrome in mice: functional dissection of the
5q31 candidate region
The goal of this project is to develop novel expression systems and mutant transgenic
organisms, in order to gain insights into the role of the 5q31 region, revealing the functions of
genes involved in haematopoesis and the leukaemia processes. To this end, we will model
aspects of the pre-leukemic 5q- deletion-mutation syndrome in the mouse, by using a series of
homologous recombination and novel expression systems strategies. More specifically, based
on a previously successful technological approach, we plan to: 1) delete in the mouse the
syntenic candidate 'critical region' between the GM-CSF /IL3 and TCF1 genes, included in our
constructed human YAC contig; our approach will utilise the Cre-IoxP recombination system
combined with conditional targeting, to induce the deletion of the 5q31 region in the adult
mouse myeloid cells only (like in humans), by linking the Cre recombinase gene, under the
myeloid and adult-specific promoter of the myeloperoxidase gene; thus, the generated animal
models containing precise large chromosomal deletions, occurring as acquired somatic
mutations, will accurately mimic the human pre-leukemic syndrome; 2) systematically analyse
the resulting phenotypes of the mice by differential display technology approaches, to reveal the
deregulated pathways and gene networks occurring in these models; 3) this will be followed by
the precise mapping, structural and functional analysis of these genes, leading to novel candidate
genes involved in leukemogenesis and haematopoesis, within the 'critical' 5q31 region; 4)
perform in vivo complementation assays by breeding.
YAC transgenics carrying overlapping fragments of the 5q31 region, with the above
animal models, to reverse their phenotype and identify the leukaemia-associated genes. These
studies will lead to a full transcript map of the 5q31 region and provide valuable insights on the
functional role of the candidate 5q31 region on the early processes of human leukemogenesis.
Keywords: pre-leukemic syndrome, mutant transgenic organism, haematopoesis
Co-ordinator:
Nicholas Anagnou
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Vassilika Vouton, PO Box 1527
GR - 711 10 Heraklion, Crete
Greece
Tel: +30-81 394565
Fax: +30-81 394530
E-mail: anagnou@imbb.forth.gr
__________________________________________________________________
151
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-00916 Acronym: LD-EUROPE
Contract signature: 21/11/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 1.505.724 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E F FIN 2I UK CH
Linkage Disequilibrium in European populations
Knowledge of the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and its variation
across the genome is required for the efficient and systematic implementation of
mapping functional polymorphisms implicated in common, complex disorders.
The overall goal of this project is to determine extent and variation of LD in the
genome of the general population of European populations. DNA from population
samples of unrelated individuals are typed with some 250 microsatellites and
SNPs in nine genomic regions and the entire chromosome 22 (C22). The extent of
LD is measured for each region and for C22, and are compared across
populations. The across-population variability of extent of LD is interpreted by
the demographic history of each population. Each genome region is compared for
extent of LD across chromosomes and between populations. Inherent genome
sequence-related characteristics are used to interpret regional variability. Regions
harbouring genes implicated in complex disorders are also studied. Frequencies
phaplotypes extending across each genomic region are estimated for each
population. Computer programs used for data analysis and all DNA types
generated in this project will be available to the public at the completion of this
project.
Keywords: linkage disequilibrium, chromosome 22, frequency phaplotypes
Co-ordinator:
Howard Cann
Fondation Jean Dausset-CEPH
27 rue Juliette Dodu
F - 75010 PARIS
France
Tel: + 33153725103
Fax: + 33153725128
E-mail: howard.cann@cephb.fr
__________________________________________________________________
152
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01021 Acronym: AIR
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 199.964 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A B DK E I NL S 2UK CH
Alpha-1 international registry
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AAD) is a rare inherited disorder on
chromosome 14q32.1 that predisposes to liver, vascular but especially early onset,
rapidly progressive lung disease. As recommended by the WHO in 1996 in
Geneva, we have established an international registry in January 1999 and
developed a simple database and DNA bank, now containing over 300 European
patients with AAD. The proposed action is to execute a study using genome-wide
linkage and association studies in DNA samples, to find other genetic risk factors
explaining why some smokers with the inherited deficiency develop lung
emphysema, while others with the same smoking history do not. Furthermore, we
aim to use existing European databases on air pollution to find correlation with
clinical data and/or new genetic information in a two-year longitudinal study with
AAD patients. Funding is used to enable the logistics around the two proposed
studies.
Keywords: genome analysis, alfa1-antitrypsin, emphysema
Co-ordinator:
Robert Stockley
Queen Elisabeth Hospital
Department of Medicine
Edgbaston
UK - Birmingham B15 2TH
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441216978257
Fax: + 441216978256
E-mail: r.a.stockley@bham.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
153
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01097 Acronym: NATURAL
Contract signature: 10/12/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 2.294.010 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D E 2F 3NL UK
Natural variation in Arabidopsis Thaliana: resources for functional analysis
Variation of traits involved in adaptation can be found in nature and
provides an important source of genetic variation for plant breeding. This project
aims at the systematic exploitation of natural variation in the model plant
Arabidopsis as a powerful approach for gene discovery. This variation can be
dissected by combining: 1) analyses of morphological, physiological and chemical
traits; 2) quantitative genetics to identify the genetic basis of the traits; 3)
molecular studies to determine the genes and their functions. To achieve these
goals 1) tools and material to analyse natural variation are developed; 2)
controlling natural variation for seed dormancy, flowering, pod shattering, plant
growth and performance, carbohydrate and nitrate metabolism, insect resistance
and content of nutritional compounds are identified; 3) the usefulness of the
Arabidopsis genes for MAS based breeding in Brassica are evaluated.
Keywords: molecular markers, adaptive traits, plant breeding
Co-ordinator:
Maarten Koornneef
Wageningen University
Laboratory of Genetics Department of Plant Sciences
Dreijenlaan 2
NL - 6703 HA Wageningen
Netherlands
Tel: + 31317482150
Fax: + 31317483146
__________________________________________________________________
154
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01297 Acronym: ASSOCIOPORT
Contract signature: 5/11/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.789.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2B 4D E
Associomics of membrane proteins in two model organisms, yeast and
Arabidopsis
Associomics is central for functional analysis of proteomes with great
promises for predicting protein functions. Membrane proteins (MPs) play
important roles in physiological processes (transport, signalling, trafficking, cell
adhesion). However, due to their intrinsic properties, MPs are not amenable to
associomic analysis using standard methods. In ASSOCIOPORT, academic teams
and SMEs will undertake large-scale screening to systematically identify MP
interactions. For this, the split-ubiquitin two-hybrid system is developed as a highthroughput screening tool and applied to 1024 MPs in the models yeast and
Arabidopsis. The project will provide invaluable information on membraneassociated processes. It represents a pilot study to analyse all interactions of
human MPs. Results are exploited to develop targets for new pharma- and
agrochemicals, design assays for drug testing, and provide screens as services.
Keywords: proteomics, cell biology, interaction
Co-ordinator:
Wolf B. Frommer
Eberhard-Karls-Universitaet Tuebingen
ZMBP
Auf der Morgenstelle 1
D - 72076 Tuebingen
Germany
Tel: + 4970712972605
Fax: + 497071293287
E-mail: frommer@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de
__________________________________________________________________
155
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01335 Acronym: EUROPROCF
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.383.195€
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D DK 2F PL UK
Development of ultrasensitive methods for proteome: application to cystic
fibrosis.
The objective of this project is to characterise differentially displayed (dd)
proteins and mRNAs whose expression patterns are specific to cystic fibrosis (CF)
in order to get a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this disease,
and to improve diagnosis and/or therapy. CF is the most common lethal
monogenic disease in Europe. It is recognised that CFTR, the key protein whose
dysfunction causes CF, is at the crossroad of important pathways and plays major
roles, most of them unknown, within a network of proteins central to a whole
series of cellular functions. As a result, not only genetic predisposition but also
many environmental and/or pharmacological factors can affect CF severity. So
far, the reponses of CF to these various factors have been studied in a limited
context such as, for instance, one gene or pathway at a time. Thus studies of
proteomics of CF are needed. We will use high performance techniques to analyse
the protein patterns from cells of CF patients vs. non-affected individuals and will
establish a database of dd-proteins and mRNAs. Our new techniques for proteome
analysis will be useful for other applications.
Keywords: proteome, cystic fibrosis, genetic predisposition
Co-ordinator:
Aleksander Edelman
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
INSERM U.467
Faculté de Médecine Necker - 156 rue de Vaugirard
F - 75730 PARIS
CEDEX 15
France
Tel: + 33140615621
Fax: + 33140615591
E-mail: edelman@necker.fr
__________________________________________________________________
156
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01397 Acronym: PLANTREC
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 1.652.363 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 3D 2F IL NL CH
Homologous recombination in plants
Major advances have been made in knowledge of plant genomes and the
recombination processes regulating their structure and integrity. However
exploitation of this is limited by absence of methodology for the targeted, in situ
modification of plant genes and chromosomes. In plants the somatic homologous
recombination machinery is overwhelmed by another recombination process
(NHEJ), which causes incoming DNA to insert at a random position in the
genome, often accompanied by unwanted rearrangements. This is an important
reason for questioning the safety of transgenic crops. We directly address these
issues and 5 academic and 2 industrial research groups together aim to develop
novel tools to obtain gene targeting in plants, based on a detailed understanding of
recombination in plants. The groups will contribute considerable novel expertise
and biological material to the project: plant hyperecombination mutants, cloned
genes and proven assays.
Keywords: plants, recombination, gene targeting
Co-ordinator:
Charles White
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique / Universite Blaise Pascal
UMR 6547 GEEM
24 Avenue des Landais
F - 63177 Aubiere
France
Tel: + 33473407978
Fax: + 33473407777
E-mail: charles.white@geem.univ-bpclermont.fr
__________________________________________________________________
157
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01428 Acronym: INSIGHT INSIDE
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.440.300 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D 2NL
Insight inside: signal transducing protein machines revealed by subcellular
single molecule spectroscopy and imaging
The molecular basis of programmed cell death (PCD), a system common
to both plants and animals, is studied to learn more about signal transduction
cascades. PCD is a process of cell suicide critical for development and tissue
homeostasis of multicellular organisms. It requires sophisticated signal
transduction machinery, controlled by an evolutionary conserved program.
Understanding PCD is important for drug discovery in human medicine and
pathogen resistance in agriculture. Shared features of plant and animal PCD are
used to deduce the primordial components of eukaryotic PCD.
To increase our understanding in this field, microspectroscopic techniques
are used because they provide quantitative information on molecular interactions
and dynamic events involving signalling molecules (SMD), they can be used as
high throughput methods and combined with other advanced imaging methods.
Keywords: genomics, cell death, spectroscopy
Co-ordinator:
Arjen Schots
Wageningen University
Department of Plant Sciences - Laboratory of Monoclonal Antibodies Antibodies
Binnenhaven 10 POB 8123
NL - 6700 ES Wageningen
Netherlands
Tel: + 31317485261
Fax: + 31317485267
E-mail: arjen.schots@lma.nema.wau.nl
__________________________________________________________________
158
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01453 Acronym: CEREALGENE TAGS
Contract signature: 29/10/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.738.974 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E F 2I 2NL UK
Tagging of rice genes for use in cereals
Human nutrition is based on cereals, where rice is the model because of its
small genome, detailed molecular maps and ease of transformation. We aim to use
functional genomics and proteomics in rice for which a rough draft of the genome
sequence is available. The integrated strategy proposed here will provide a
phenotypic function to the rice gene sequence information in the databases and
address traits of interest for cereal crops. We will use a Rice Mutation Machine to
uncover gene-phenotype relationships using knockout or gene detection
transposon inserts and proteomics methods to discover novel transcription factor
networks determining key cereal traits. Cereal crop validation is done using gene
overexpression and map correlation to known traits. The gene-trait discoveries
will provide applications and intellectual property using GMO as well as nonGMO strategies for cereal crops in the EU.
Keywords: cereals, genomics, proteomics
Co-ordinator:
Andy Pereira
Plant Research International Genomics
Droevendaalsesteeg 1 POB 16
NL - 6700 AA Wageningen
Netherlands
Tel: + 31317477001
Fax: + 31317418094
E-mail: a.pereira@plant.wag-ur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
159
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01467 Acronym: Brainstem Genetics
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 1.800.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 5F NO S UK
Genetic interactions in brainstem development and function
The brain stem regulates a myriad of vital functions that are involved in
major chronic health problems in Europe, such as hypertension, respiratory,
mood, sleep, gastrointestinal, and vestibular disorders, and pain. It is also the site
of debilitating tumours. Many of these disorders have a genetic component that
may be tied to defects in brain stem development. The aim of the project is to
identify the genes and characterise the genetic interactions that are pivotal for the
proper development of brain stem neurones that control specific vital functions.
Expertise in molecular genetic, morphological, physiological, and imaging
technologies are assembled and focused on brain stem function in mutant mouse
models. The design, development, and production of DNA microarray technology
as a tool for assessing brainstem gene expression in animals and humans will
bring the research into the realm of clinical applications in humans.
Keywords: brain stem neurone, mutant mouse model, DNA microarray
technology, gene expression
Co-ordinator:
Joel Glover
University of Oslo
Department of Anatomy
Institute of Basic Medical Science
Blindern PB 1105
NO - 0317 Oslo
Norway
Tel: + 4722851230
Fax: + 4722851278
E-mail: joel.glover@basalmed.uio.no
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Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01554 Acronym: RNOMICS
Contract signature: 16/11/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.651.302 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2F P UK CH
An integrated analysis of links between pathways of RNA metabolism in the
post-genomic era
RNA metabolism is central to gene expression and to its regulation. The
functional analysis of genomes depends upon a good understanding of RNA
metabolism to facilitate annotation of gene structure and to understand many of
the pathways involved in gene expression. Starting with a large database of
protein-protein interactions involved in RNA metabolism, combined with
genomic sequence data, we will apply systematic functional analyses to study
various aspects of RNA metabolism and how these are interlinked and integrated
with other cellular processes. European laboratories with expertise in different
aspects of RNA metabolism will collaborate to develop and apply functional
genomic and bioinformatic tools to produce an integrated database representing
genetic, physical and functional data on RNA metabolic pathways and how these
communicate with other cellular processes. In the database there is a strong
emphasis on comparing yeast and mammalian systems. Novel data that may be
relevant to genetic disorders or pathogenic organisms will be disseminated or,
where appropriate, exploited commercially.
Keywords: RNA metabolism, annotation of gene structure, functional genomics,
bioinformatics
Co-ordinator:
Jean Beggs
University of Edinburgh
Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology
Kings Buildings
Mayfield road
UK - Edinburgh EH9 3JR
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441316505351
Fax: + 441316508650
E-mail: j.beggs@ed.ac.uk
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Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01663 Acronym: SH3 GENOMICS
Contract signature: 5/11/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.467.753 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D E F I NL UK
Genome-wide structural and functional analysis of SH3-mediated interactions
The SH3 domain is the most common protein interaction module in
eukaryotic cells. Through their binding to specific proline-rich sequences, SH3
domains play a crucial role in the formation of the multiprotein complexes
responsible for signal transduction. The goal of this proposal is to understand the
structure and function underlying the SH3-mediated protein network in the model
organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast). To this end we will analyse all 29
yeast SH3 domains in terms of their ligand specificity using phage-displayed
combinatorial peptide-and cDNA-libraries, in terms of their structure using X-ray
crystallography and NMR, and in terms of their function using whole genome
expression profiling. Knowledge of the rules that govern SH3-mediated
interactions in yeast will help predicting these interactions in the human proteome
and will allow a better understanding of human genetic diseases such as cancer.
Keywords: SH3 domains, structural genomics, functional genomics
Co-ordinator:
Ben Distel
Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam
Department of Biochemistry
Meibergdreef 15
NL - 1105 AZ Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: + 31205665127
Fax: + 31206915519
E-mail: b.distel@amc.uva.nl
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162
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01669 Acronym: EURAGEDIC
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 1.840.603 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK 3F FIN 3UK
European rational approach for the genetics of diabetic complications
Microvascular lesions and accelerated atherosclerosis are the major causes
of morbidity and early mortality in diabetic patients. Development of
complications is influenced by genetic factors. Identification of the genes in
correlation with specific phenotypes will aid a better risk assessment, allow early
intervention and the development of new therapeutic approaches. Both excellent
clinical and genetic expertise is needed. We propose to combine clinical and
genetic data from major European institutions to identify genes involved in
diabetic complications. Large patient cohorts are screened for polymorphisms in
candidate genes for association. These studies are aided through the use of animal
models derived for specific phenotypes. The combination of clinical and human
genetic studies on one hand and genetic animal studies on the other will result in a
synergistic effect that should allow the dissection of this complex trait.
Keywords: diabetes, complications, genetics
Co-ordinator:
Nathalie Vionnet
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
INSERM U525
17 rue du Fer à Moulin
F - 75005 PARIS
France
Tel: + 33160878419
Fax: + 33160878485
E-mail: nathalie.vionnet@cng.fr
__________________________________________________________________
163
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01673 Acronym: TRI-EX
Contract signature: 18/12/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 1.344.288 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D F 2NL P UK
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: a paradigm to investigate new
pharmaco-therapeutic approaches to trinucleotide-expansion diseases and
muscular dystrophies.
The goal of this proposal is to use oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
(OPMD) as a paradigm to investigate new pharmaco-therapeutic approaches
based on genome- and proteome-wide surveys of normal and dystrophic muscle.
We will screen for genes/proteins capable of suppressing the dystrophic muscle
phenotype. Selected candidates will represent the basis for developing a human
gene therapy program. To reach this goal, we will generate cellular and animal
models amenable to genetic screens and manipulations, and will construct DNA
and protein microarrays to compare gene expression profiles in normal and
dystrophic muscle. If a particular protein is found under-expressed in disease
muscle, we will isolate the corresponding cDNA and induce its over-expression in
the OPMD transgenic mouse model. Additional candidates for human gene
therapy are expected to be identified by a genetic screen based on modification of
the phenotype in the OPMD Drosophila model.
Keywords: oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, DNA and protein microarrays,
gene expression
Co-ordinator:
Maria Carmo-Fonseca
Uuniversitade de Lisboa
Instituto de Histologia, Facultade de Medicina
Avenida Prof. Egas Moniz
P - 1649-028 Lisboa
Portugal
Tel: + 351217934340
Fax: + 351217951780
E-mail: carmo.fonseca@fm.ul.pt. carmo.fonseca@clix.pt
__________________________________________________________________
164
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01861 Acronym: New Colon Cancer Genes
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 8
EC contribution: 1.233.600 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK FIN UK
Identification of low and moderate penetrance genes predisposing to colorectal
cancer utilising established and novel biotechnology
Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Europe. To fight
this disease understanding the molecular nature of tumorigenesis is essential.
Studies on colon cancer susceptibility have contributed greatly to our knowledge
on these issues, in part through previous breakthrough discoveries by the
participants. The focus of this proposal is on identification of low/moderate
penetrance genes predisposing to colon cancer. This goal is of particular
importance; not only do we anticipate deriving information on mechanisms of
cancer in general, but also information on predisposition alleles affecting a
considerable proportion of the population. Such data is a key to more efficient
cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The proposed goal is a demanding
one, and an update on the biotechnology utilised is obligatory. This consortium
will form a critical mass regarding both extensive sample materials, and
competitive technology.
Keywords: colorectal cancer, tumorigenesis, low/moderate penetrance genes
Co-ordinator:
Lauri Aaltonen
University of Helsinki
Haartman Institute, Department of Medical Genetics
Haartmaninkatu 3 POB 21
FIN - 00014 University of Helsinki
Finland
Tel: + 358919126278
Fax: + 358919126677
E-mail: lauri.aaltonen@helsinki.fi
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165
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-01903 Acronym: MICROPROTEOMICS
Contract signature: 10/08/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 1.308.959 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D 2F I 2CH
New microfluidic-mass spectrometry technologies for high performance
proteomics
This project aims at providing high performance proteome analysis by
developing a fully automated system based on integrated microfluids. Biological
fluids are prefractionated by protein isoelectric points using mini-segmented
focusing chambers. Proteins will then be automatically driven into a microchip to
be separated according to mass and affinity in micro sieving matrices, and
injected into a high resolution mass spectrometer by a microchip-nanoelectrospray
interface. This platform includes innovations in prefractionation, protein
microseparation, matrices, microfluids and MS interface; it will increase range
and selectivity of proteome analysis, and improve analysis speed, sample
economy and cost effectiveness. Initial applications will be assessed as model
tasks. In the longer term, these technologies will also lead to improved
minaturized tools for protein-based diagnostics.
Keywords: proteomics, microfluids, mass spectrometry
Co-ordinator:
Michael Przybylski
University of Konstanz
Department of Chemistry
Universitätsstr. 10 POB M731
D - 78467 Konstanz
Germany
Tel: + 0497531882249
Fax: + 0497531883097
E-mail: michael.przybylski@uni-konstanz.de
__________________________________________________________________
166
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-02161 Acronym: GENETICS OF IBD
Contract signature: 12/12/2001
Area: 8.1
EC contribution: 2.156.632 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 3D 2DK IRL UK
Genomic investigation of chronic intestinal inflammation
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex, polygenic disorder,
which affects mainly young adults. Genetic linkage to susceptibility areas on
chromosomes 6, 12 and 16 has been confirmed in affected sib pair studies. The
life-style of modern industrialised civilisations appears to be a strong trigger for
disease manifestation. The project teams use their well-characterised collection of
multiplex and monoplex families to identify genes by systematic association
studies utilising polymorphisms of genes in linkage regions. Gene-chip based
expression screening (using a cDNA array with 38,000 clustered ESTs, which is
proprietary to the applicants) is used to understand the function of known and
novel genes in disease pathophysiology. Proteomics approaches are taken to
understand the function of differentially expressed genes and for a systematic
postexpression analysis. Through a complex genotype-phenotype analysis the
applicability of molecular findings to the population will be defined. This will
result in a validation of molecular abnormalities as novel targets for therapy
and/or as screening tools. Extensive statistical and epidemiological analysis will
develop a disease model to describe the interaction between multiple genetic and
life style factors. The project will therefore produce exploitable intellectual
property resulting in a substantial improvement.
Keywords: complex genetic disoorder, inflammation, genomics
Co-ordinator:
Stefan Schreiber
Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel
I.Medizinische Klinik
Schittenhelmstrasse 12
D - 24105 Kiel
Germany
Tel: + 494315971272
Fax: + 494315971302
E-mail: s.schreiber@mucosa.de
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167
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-02278 Acronym: MAPK SIGNALLING
Contract signature: 5/11/2001
Area: 8.2
EC contribution: 2.198.243 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2A D DK 2F 3UK
Spatial/temporal organisation and regulation of the MAPK signalling
The MAPK pathway is at the heart of a molecular signalling network that
governs the growth, differentiation and survival of many, if not all cell types. It is
de-regulated in various diseases ranging from cancer to immunological,
inflammatory and degenerative syndromes, and thus represents an attractive drug
target. While its basic set-up is well understood, it is unclear how its complex
spatio-temporal organisation controls its function, and how a single pathway can
control such a variety of vital biological processes To solve these problems we
propose a multi-disciplinary approach that combines innovative techniques in
protein biochemistry and identification (proteomics), high resolution bio-imaging
and genetics (conditional knock-out mice), and joins universities, dedicated
research institutions and industrial partners. The scope extends from research at
the molecular level to studies in whole animals, and will result in an integral
picture of the regulation and physiological function of this important signalling
pathway. We expect our results to generate animal models for human diseases,
novel drug targets, new approaches to drug screening and new tools for the
analysis of signalling pathways in general.
Keywords: MAPK pathway, proteomics, conditional knock-out mice
Co-ordinator:
Walter Kolch
CRC Beatson Laboratories
Beatson Institute for Cancer Research
Garscube Estate
Switchback Road
UK - Glasgow G61 1BD
United Kingdom
Tel: + 01413303953
Fax: + 01419426521
E-mail: w.kolch@beatson.gla.ac.uk
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168
Project number: QLG2-CT-2002-00930 Acronym: EUMORPHIA
Contract signature: 25/09/2002
Area: 8.5
EC contribution: 12.299.996 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Integrated Project
Teams/countries: 2D E 9F 2I NL S 4UK 2CH
Understanding human molecular physiology and pathology through integrated
functional genomics in the mouse model
The completion of the human genome sequence heralds a new era of
understanding of the genetic basis of human disease. Determining the function of
every one of the 35000 or so human genes and their role in disease will be greatly
assisted by the development and characterisation of mouse models of human
disease. However, assessing the effect on the organism of any change made in a
gene will require systematic screens and tests that allow us to describe the
phenotypic consequences in a comprehensive way. EUMORPHIA is an integrated
research programme involving the development of new approaches in
phenotyping, mutagenesis and informatics leading to improved characterisation of
mouse models for the understanding of human physiology and disease. The focus
is on the development, standardisation and dissemination of primary and
secondary phenotyping protocols for all body systems in the mouse. The project
also pilots novel approaches to gene-driven mutagenesis and is supported by new
informatics tools within research and networking for the acquisition,
dissemination and querying of phenotype data. More information can be found on
the EUMOPRHIA website (www.eumorphia.org).
Keywords: integrated functional genomics, mouse model, phenotyping protocols
Co-ordinator:
Stephen Brown
Medical Research Council
MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit
Harwell
UK - Didcot OX11 ORD
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441235824541
Fax: + 441235824542
E-mail: s.brown@har.mrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
169
Project number: QLG2-CT-2001-00988 Acronym: SPINE
Contract signature: 1/10/2002
Area: 8.5
EC contribution: 13.700.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Integrated Project
Teams/countries: 3D 7F I IL 2NL 2S 3UK
Structural proteomics in Europe
This Integrated Project assembles most European laboratories that are
involved in or are initiating structural genomic programs. The research component
covers the expertise necessary for developing appropriate tools and
methodologies. Using these technologies, genomic data are exploited to achieve
high quality, high throughput determination of 3D protein structures to shed light
on biomolecular mechanisms relevant to human health. The targets are from a set
of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, as well as biomedically relevant human
proteins (with a focus on cancer and neurobiology). The project is science-driven
since the best way to foster technological progress is through the solution of
challenging biological problems. Networking will channel synergistic
collaborations between national programmes and disseminate information and
technologies Europe-wide. The training and mobility component builds on
existing strengths to ensure exposure of young European scientists to cutting edge
developments.
Keywords: structural proteomics, cancer, neurobiology
Co-ordinator:
David Ian Stuart
The University of Oxford
Division of Structural Biology
Roosevelt Drive
UK - Oxford OX3 7BN
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441865287546
Fax: + 441865287547
E-mail: dave@strubi.ox.ac.uk
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170
Project number: QLG2-CT-2002-01226 Acronym: MARGENES
Contract signature: 21/08/2002
Area: 8.3
EC contribution: 1.596.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D 2F I IL UK
Marine Phytoplankton as Novel Model Organisms for Genomic and PostGenomic Studies of Environmental Sensing and Niche Adaptation
Cyanobacteria (prokaryotes)and diatoms(eukaryotes)dominate the
microalgal biomass in oceanic ecosystems. Since the marine environment
represents a relatively untapped resource with regard to functional gene diversity,
a significant potential exists for use of these phytoplankton species as novel model
organisms and/or as expression systems. Their wide distribution in the world
ocean indicates that they possess sophisticated strategies for responding to
environmental change. Using novel genomic or EST information from these two
phytoplankton groups,we will identify genes which play crucial roles in the
different aspects of the relationships between the cells and their environment with
a focus on niche-specific genes. We will develop DNA arrays for expression
analysis and develop technology for mutant construction and reporter gene fusion
analysis.
Keywords: phytoplankton, genomics, DNA arrays
Co-ordinator:
David Scanlan
The University of Warwick
The Department of Biological Sciences
Gibbet Hill Road
UK - Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442476528363
Fax: + 442476523701
E-mail: dscanlan@bio.warwick.ac.uk
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Project number: QLG2-CT-2002-01254 Acronym: GENOMEUTWIN
Contract signature: 25/09/2002
Area: 8.5
EC contribution: 13.695.532 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Integrated Project
Teams/countries: DK 2FIN I 2NL 2S UK
Genome-wide analyses of European twin and population cohorts to identify
genes in common diseases
The aim of this Integrated Project is to enhance our understanding of the
aetiology of common diseases by using genetic tools and advanced biostatistical
methods to analyze unique European population cohorts. Twin cohorts and
MORGAM cohorts represent well-established, high quality epidemiological study
samples containing an immense amount of longitudinal data and information of
life-style and environmental factors. We will build a European infrastructure for
large-scale genetic epidemiological studies of common diseases. We will
harmonize both the epidemiological databases and collection of genetic data and
develop novel biostatistical strategies. The anticipated results of the genetic
background and genome-environment/life style interactions in the aetiology of
common diseases will make an immense contribution to health of Europeans and
the health care-associated industry in Europe.
Keywords: genetic epidemiolgy, twin cohorts, high-throughput genotyping
Co-ordinator:
Leena Peltonen
National Public Health Institute
Department of molecular Medicine
Haartmaninkatu 8 POB 104
FIN - 00290 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: + 358947448393
Fax: + 358947448480
E-mail: leena.peltonen@ktl.fi
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172
Project number: QLG2-CT-2002-01298
Contract signature: 20/09/2002
EC contribution: 301.000 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B D EL 3F IL UK
Acronym: Protein Folding Fragments
Area: 8.4
Duration: 36 months
Towards a unified theory of protein structural fragments and their application
for protein engineering and misfolding related diseases
Due to the systematic sequencing projects, the gap between the number of
available protein sequences and structures increases, and the need for developing
global proteomic programs becomes crucial.In this context, the prediction of new
folds from scratch and the identification of characteristic folding fragments are
necessary steps towards rational protein engineering and the elucidation of
diseases related to misfolded structures. All the groups involved develop in silico
methods for determining protein structural subunits likely to correspond to key
elements in the folding process. Our objective is to combine the expertise of the
different groups and to transfer ideas and results in view of improving the
efficiency of the individual approaches and establishing a synergistic prediction
scheme of protein structure from sequence and conversely.
Keywords: folding, protein, biocomputing
Co-ordinator:
Jacques Chomilier
Université Pierre et Marie Curie
Laboratoire de Minéralogie-Christallographie
Tour 16, 4 Place Jussieu POB Case 115
F - 75252 Paris
CEDEX 05
France
Tel: + 33144275079
Fax: + 33144273785
E-mail: jacques.chomilier@lmcp.jussieu.fr
__________________________________________________________________
173
Project number: QLG2-CT-2002-01673 Acronym: VIS
Contract signature: 2/10/2002
Area: 8.3
EC contribution: 2.165.624 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E EE EL HU IRL 2NL UK CH
Virus-Induced gene Silencing (VIS) : unravelling the basis of a mechanism and
its exploitation for the analysis of a multitude of individual gene functions in
plants
The simplicity and efficiency of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to
block the expression of genes is an approach that promises to revolutionize the
whole somatic cell genetics. In plants, currently available targeted “knock-out”
techniques are not applicable due to the low frequency of homologous
recombination. The main objective of this project is to produce a detailed
description of the molecular mechanisms underlying different stages of virusinduced gene silencing in plant cells. The fulfilment of this aim will provide with
a general model of VIGS obtained by integrating data from different plant viruses
and hosts, including the identification of novel host factors and their expression
profiles involved in this process. With this knowledge it will be possible to
generate a widely applicable efficient VIGS vectors for the functional analysis of
multitude of plant genes.
Keywords: plant viruses, gene silencing, genomics
Co-ordinator:
Erkki Truve
National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
Akadeemia tee 23
EE - 12618 Tallinn
Estonia
Tel: + 3726398353
Fax: + 3726398382
E-mail: erkki@kbfi.ee
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174
Project number: QLG2-CT-2002-01741 Acronym: AGRIKOLA
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 8.3
EC contribution: 2.000.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B D E F 2UK
Arabidopsis genomic RNA interference knock-out line analysis
The AGRIKOLA project aims to create a set of 50.000 plasmids for
performing constitutive or inducible targeted gene-silencing using RNA
interference (RNAi) on almost every Arabidopsis gene. At least 6.000 of these
plasmids are used to transform Arabidopsis plants to obtain lines in which specific
genes (covering the whole of chromosome 3) have been post-transcriptionally
silenced. Several hundreds of these silenced lines are analysed in detail to prove
the usefulness of this approach and to gain information on the function of
important Arabidopsis genes. The plasmids and mutant lines generated during the
course of this research project will be an invaluable resource for determining the
function of Arabidopsis genes, and by extrapolation, the function of homologous
genes in other organisms.
Keywords: RNA interference, arabidopsis gene, chromosome 3
Co-ordinator:
Ian Small
Iinstitut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Unité de Recherche en Génomique végétale
2 Rue Gaston Crémieux CP 5708
F - 91057 EVRY
France
Tel: + 33160874508
Fax: + 33160874510
E-mail: small@evry.inra.fr
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Area 9: Neurosciences
177
178
Project number: QLG3-1999-00192
Acronym: NAPPY
Contract signature: 31/01/2000
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 1.836.640 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2CZ D NL NO 3UK
Network analysis of hippocampal memory processing
Although significant progress has been made in identifying molecular
building blocks of memory, our understanding of memory at the level of neuronal
circuits is limited. By combining technological, anatomical, physiological and
behavioural approaches, this project aims to bridge the gap between molecules
and behaviour by addressing four fundamental questions at the network level:
what types of memory are processed by the hippocampus; what information flows
into and out of the hippocampus during these stages of memory; and what
computations does the intrinsic hippocampus circuitry perform during each stage?
Development of new technology of use to neuroscientists throughout Europe is an
integral part of the endeavour. The outcome will have profound implications for
our understanding of information processing and memory at the network level in
the brain.
Keywords: hippocampus, memory, network analysis
Co-ordinator:
Edvard Moser
Department of Psychology, NTNU
N-7491 Trondheim
Norway
Tel: +47 73 59 02 94
Fax: +4773 59 19 20
E-mail: edvard.moser@svt.ntnu.no
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179
Project number: QLG3-1999-00448
Contract signature: 19/01/2000
EU contribution: 500.000 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: F 2I S UK
Acronym: COSPIM
Area: 9.2.
Duration: 36 month
Neural network model of cortical and spinal operations for motor control
We propose, in a collaborative effort among five scientific groups, to
develop, implement and test a neural network computer model for visually guided
reach and grasp, which incorporates biological constraints in terms of architecture
and behaviour as defined by available experimental neurobiological data on the
cellular, cell-population and psychophysical level. This will provide us with a
causal, functional and testable theory about cortico-spinal and cortico-cortical
function in human movement control. The model will elucidate the interaction
among different sources of visual, proprioceptive, somatic, task- and executionbased information in order to learn and produce adequate motor behaviour. It will
lead to a coherent framework for establishing new hypotheses, predictions and
functional syntheses concerning the voluntary control of forelimb movements
which may be applied at a technological level (antropomorph control of robots) as
well as at the clinical level for evaluating signs of cortical and spinal motor
disorders.
Keywords: brain theory, cortical and spinal operations, motor control
Co-ordinator:
Yves Burnod
Inserm U.483
Université Pierre et Marie Curie
9 Quai St. Bernard
F - 75005 Paris
France
Tel: +33 1 44273747
Fax: +33 1 44273438
E-mail: ybteam@ccr.jussieu.fr
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180
Project number: QLG3-1999-00573
Acronym: Function of P75 NTR
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 1.852.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EE F I IL S UK
Novel mechanisms of cell communication in the nervous system: physiology
and function of the P75 neurotrophin receptor
The goal of this project is to elucidate novel signalling pathways for cell
communication in the nervous system using the paradigm of the p75 neurotrophin
receptor (p75NTR). This receptor is at the crossroads of biological processes
important for the development, maintenance and function of the nervous system,
including neurone survival/death decisions, axonal growth, responses to lesions
and environmental stimuli and neurotropic viral infection. Our strategy is to
increase the knowledge base on the physiology and signalling capabilities of
neuronal communication of general applicability. To this end, we propose studies
o intracellular mechanisms of p75NTR signalling, co-operation with Trk
receptors, structure-function relationships, novel second messenger molecules,
target genes regulated by p75NTR, neurophysiological roles and p75NTR gene
promoter regulation.
Keywords: cell survival, apoptosis, signalling
Co-ordinator:
Carlos F. Ibáñez
Division of Molecular Neurobiology
Department Neuroscience
Karolinska Institute
Doktorsringen 12b
S – 171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: +46 8 728 7660
Fax: +46 8 339548
E-mail: carlos@cajal.mbb.ki.se
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181
Project number: QLG3-1999-00602
Acronym: LIFE/DEATH/SIGNALS
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 2.056.800 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2E 2F S UK CH
Signalling for death and survival in neurones
Neuro-degenerative diseases represent a major social and economic
problem for the Community; they are characterised by the cell death of specific
populations of neurones. No cures currently exist: good candidates would be
drugs that inhibit intracellular signalling pathways involved in celldeath, or
stimulate signalling for survival, but we know little about how these pathways are
regulated in neurones in normal or pathological situations. Our transnational
project involving academic, clinical and industrial partners is aimed at a better
understanding of the role of several novel mechanisms. We will study in neurones
the control mechanisms and signalling pathways involved. We aim to generate
important new data in this fast-moving field and to define novel potential targets
for drug discovery.
Keywords: neuro-degenerative diseases, cell death, neurones
Co-ordinator:
Christofer Henderson
Inserm U.382, Ibdm
Campus De Luminy Case 907
F – 13288 Marseille, Cedex 09
France
Tel +33 4 91 269760
Fax +33 4 91269757
E-mail: chris@ibdm.univ-mrs.fr
__________________________________________________________________
182
Project number: QLG3-1999-00649
Acronym: Excitatory Synapses
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 877.624 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D F
Excitatory synapses in the neocortex: a calcium study imagining of pre and
postsynaptic elements with a molecular characterisation by single cell RTMultiplexPCR
In contrast to the wealth of information gathered in neuropsychology since
the advent of imaging technologies, the cellular physiology of the neocortex is yet
underdeveloped. The aim of this work is specifically to understand what
determines the functions and the characteristics of excitatory synapses between
pyramidal neurones and the different types of interneurons of the neocortex. This
will be achieved by combining electrophysiological recordings of pairs of
neurones with calcium imaging at the single synapse level using multiphoton
microscopy, single RT-multiplexPCR and anatomical reconstruction of the
connected neurones. The calcium imaging will detect transients in both pre- and
postsynaptic elements and involve the development of new multiphoton laser
scanning microscope hard- and software. The single cell RT-multiplexPCR will
be expanded using DNA microchip technology to detect the expression of 100
genes relevant to cell-type identification and synaptic transmission.
Keywords: excitatory synapses, neocortex, molecular characterisation
Co-ordinator:
Jean Rossier
Laboratoire de Neurobiologie et Diversité Cellulaire
ESPCI-UMR 7637
Rue Vauquelin 10
F – 75231 Paris Cedex 5
France
Tel: +33140794758
Fax: +33140794757
E-mail: jean.rossier@espci.fr
__________________________________________________________________
183
Project number: QLG3-1999-00677
Acronym: NEUROGENERATOR
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 9.2.
EU contribution: 1.776.387 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2S
A database generator for the neuroimaging community: neurogenerator
No facility exists to systematically evaluate the huge amount of
neuroimaging data created in Europe. Different research groups use different
software for image analysis and different statistical software. This leads to
inhomogeneity of end-results and makes comparison of results, detection of
consistencies and inconsistencies among research groups and meta-research
impossible. We propose a database generator for 3D+ images of the brain working
on a large database of raw data from PET and FMRI scanners all over Europe.
The raw data are mathematically treated with image analysis and statistical
software to produce homogenous data in a single statistical and anatomical
format. The homogenous data and cytoarchitectural reference maps are
surrounded by database software to yield a portable homogenous database product
(HDP) to be modelled with advanced query tools and create a model of the
organisation of the cerebral cortex in man.
Keywords: neuroinformatics, cerebral cortex, database
Co-ordinator:
Per Roland
Division of Human Brain Research
Karolinska Institute
Doktorsringen 12
S - 17177 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: +46 8 7287785
Fax: +46 8 309045
E-mail: per.roland@neuro.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
184
Project number: QLG3-1999-00763
Acronym: EURONI THEME
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 9.2.
EU contribution: 182.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B D I NL NO 2S 2UK CH
Thematic network computational neuroscience and neuroinformatics
We will create a thematic network on computational neuroscience and
neuroinformatics in Europe. This thematic network will link together major
computational neuroscience and neuroinformatics research centres in Europe.
Within the three years proposed in this application the thematic network will
promote the growth of a truss neuroinformatics community in Europe as a first
step towards building a neuroinformatics capacity which can compete
internationally. The network will organise six scientific workshops and early
workshops bringing together the co-ordinators of EU-funded neuroinformatics
RTD projects. It will start a fellowship program for short lab visits to provide
additional training to young scientists and create a European neuroinformatics
Web-site listing European neuroinformatics research centres, activities, software
tools and databases.
Keywords: thematic network, computational neuroscience, neuroinformatics
Co-ordinator:
Erik De Schutter
Laboratory of Theoretical Neurobiology
University of Antwerp
Universiteitplein 1
B - 2610 Antwerpen
Belgium
Tel: +32 3 8202616
Fax: +32 3 820 26 69
E-mail: erik@bbf.uia.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
185
Project number: QLG3-1999-00827
Acronym: KCNQ Channels
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 1.323.126 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D DK 2E NO UK
Properties and functions of neuronal KCNQ/M-type potassium channels
mutated in human disease
The Pharmacological and biophysical properties of members of the KCNQ
family of voltage-dependent potassium channels are similar to those of the Mcurrent. Mutations on any of the known four members underlie hereditary
disorders, such as epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmia or deafness. Furthermore, several
pharmacological studies suggest an important role of this current in cognition
processes. Thus, the M-current is a prime target for development of new drugs
with potential therapeutical value. This project focuses in the physiological role,
pharmacological and molecular properties and neuronal distribution of the KCNQ
(M) - channel. It aims towards the development of new tools for the study of this
channels, to the discovery of new drugs that, by affecting the KCNQ/M Mchannels, may be useful in the treatment of some neurological disorders, such as
epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease and to the establishment of a mouse model of
deafness.
Keywords: potassium channel, epilepsy, deafness
Co-ordinator:
Alvaro Villaroel
Instituto Cajal-CSIC
Av. Arce 37
E - 28002 Madrid
Spain
Tel: +34 91 5854718
Fax: +34 91 5854754
E-mail: av@cajal.csic.es
__________________________________________________________________
186
Project number: QLG1-1999-00908
Acronym: Somatostatin Receptors
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 2.253.506 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D EL 2F 3I 2UK CH
Somatostatin and its receptors in brain function and dysfunction
While the role of classical neurotransmitters in neuronal communication is
comparably well characterised, the actions of neuropeptides remained largely
unknown. The objective of this project is to provide a complete understanding of
the control of neuronal communication by the neuropeptide somatostatin through
an elucidation of its antisecretory and antiproliferative actions. The functions of
the individual somatostatin receptors will be unravelled in a multidisciplinary
approach relying on the development and application of novel experimental tools
and strategies. It will become clear how somatostatin signalling affects normal
and abnormal brain function. Concepts will emerge regarding novel diagnostics
and therapeutic strategies that can be used to treat patients from European
populations that suffer from various brain disorders including neurodegenerative
diseases, mental and affective disorders and aggressive brain tumours.
Keywords: somatostatin, brain, disease
Co-ordinator:
Wolfgang Meyerhof
Deutsches Institut Für Ernährungsforschung Abteilung Molekulare Genetik
Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116
D-14558 Potsdam-Rehbrücke
Germany
Tel: +49 33200 88282
Fax: +493320088384
E-mail: meyerhof@www.dife.de
__________________________________________________________________
187
Project number: QLG3-1999-01022
Acronym: LTP Expression
Contract signature: 27/01/2000
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 1.290.752 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D NO UK
Expression mechanisms of long term potentiation (LTP) - from molecules to
memory
The project concentrates on a central biomedical problem: the nature of the
nerve cell changes underlying learning and memory. The objectives are to
elucidate the molecular changes occurring in the coupling between nerve cells
taking part in a learning process and lay the foundation for new ways to diagnose,
prevent and possibly treat memory defects. The objectives will be achieved by
using state of the art molecular and biological techniques to analyse a cellular
model of learning - long term potentiation (LTP) in the belief that this general
phenomemon represents a biological universal which is used by higher and lower
animals during learning and memory processes. The proponent experts to detect
principles for enhancing the efficiency of molecules (AMPA receptors) which are
responsible for the impulse traffic between nerve cells engaging in thought
processes. Increased insight may lead to improved prevention and treatment of
memory difficulties.
Keywords: glutamate receptors, LTP, learning and memory
Co-ordinator:
Per Andersen
Department of Physiology
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences
University of Oslo
P.O. Box 1104 Blindern
N - 0317 Oslo
Norway
Tel: +47-22 85 12 45
Fax: +47-22 85 12 49
E-mail: per.andersen@basalmed.uio.no
__________________________________________________________________
188
Project number: QLG3-1999-01064
Acronym: Nets & Representations
Contract signature: 4/01/2000
Area: 9.2.
EU contribution: 816.081 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: F UK CH
Principles of areal interactions in primate visual cortex
We take a synthetic approach to the inter-areal processing of information
in monkey visual cortex and combine quantitative anatomy with multielectrode
recording, computational analysis and neuroinformatics. We shall make
quantitative measurements of areal patterns of connectivity that will lead to a
better-constrained computational analysis of the organisation of cortical areas. We
shall identify the target structures and neuronal types of inter-areal axons
originating from single cortical layers. This will enable us to characterise at a
synaptic level the principles of connections between areas at different levels and
so provide a new basis for interpreting the likely role of intracortical connections.
We shall study the neurophysiology of cortical neurones in relationship to the
cortical architecture revealed by the anatomical studies. In striate and extrastriate
areas we shall compare neurone responses to natural and artificial stimuli both
during fixation and free viewing. We shall study the role of feedback projections
in response to natural stimuli. This approach will enable us to compare the
traditional model of vision-as-analysis with a vision-as-interference model.
Keywords: electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, neuroinformatics
Co-ordinator:
Henry Kennedy
Inserm Unité 371
18 Avenue du Doyen Lépine
F - 69675 Bron
France
Tel: +33 472913460
Fax: +33 472913461
E-mail: kennedy@lyon151.inserm.fr
__________________________________________________________________
189
Project number: QLG3-1999-01340
Acronym: 2-Photon Excitation
Contract signature: 28/02/2000
Area: 9.1.
EU contribution: 1.814.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D I IL NL 3UK
Enhanced multiphoton excitation methods for neuroscience
Neuroscience and biomedical research in particular requires methods for
observing small, faint structures deep within living tissue. Confocal laser scanning
microscopy has provided important advances and its successor technology
multiphoton excitation microscopy offers even greater benefits. To help realise
these benefits, the collaborators on this project will develop new and more
efficient femtosecond lasers, scanning and detecting devices, 2-photon absorbing
probes and fluorescent lifetime imaging methods. These devices will be exploited
to investigate vesicular excytosis and mechanisms responsible for persistent
changes in synaptic strength in the mammalian central nervous system.
Keywords: confocal laser scanning microscopy, multiphoton excitation, central
nervous system
Co-ordinator:
Timothy Bliss
National Institute for Medical Research
Mill Hill
UK - London NW7 1AA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-208-959-3666 Ext 2382
Fax: +44-208-913-8554
E-mail: tbliss@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
190
Project number: QLG3-2000-00072
Acronym: Neurogenesis Control
Contract signature: 16/11/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.597.924 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EL F I IL UK
Genes controlling neuronal specification and differentiation
The generation of different neuronal phenotypes during development is a
prerequisite for the function of the nervous system. The present project is focused
on the role of major transcriptional control genes that are involved in vertebrate
neurone specification and differentiation. We aim to understand how their
expression is controlled and how they exert their function. The functional analysis
will include the identification of their target genes and the characterisation of the
genetic and cellular context required for their function. A further aim of the
project is to begin to understand the molecular link between neurone generation
and withdrawal from the cell cycle.
Keywords: neuronal phenotypes, transcriptional control genes, neurone
generation
Co-ordinator:
Hermann Rohrer
Max-Plank-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
MPI für Hirnforschung
Abteilung Neurochemie
Deutschordenstr. 46
D - 60528 Frankfurt/M
Germany
Tel: +49-69 96769331
Fax: +49-69 96769441
E-mail: rohrer@mpih-frankfurt.mpg.de
__________________________________________________________________
191
Project number: QLG3-2000-00158
Acronym: CONCORDE
Contract signature: 22/09/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 2.321.208 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B 2D E 2F I 2UK CH
Cell and molecular basis of cortical development (CONsortium on CORtical
DEvelopment)
A better understanding of the mechanisms that control the development of
the cerebral cortex is requisite to the prevention and treatment of many
neurological and mental disorders such as brain malformations, learning
disabilities and behavioural disorders. This research is thus directly relevant to
issues of public health and quality of life in the EU. This consortium brings
together several laboratories with complementary expertise in molecular and
cellular techniques and will use this multidisciplinary approach to address the key
questions of the generation of cortical neurones, of radial and tangential neuronal
migration, the formation of cortical layers, the differentiation of the various
cortical areas and the formation of connections. The research program is divided
into well-defined operational workpackages, allowing easy monitoring of
progress. The results and reagents will be shared among participants, reported in
international meetings and journals and patent covered when applicable.
Keywords: cortical development, mental disorders, molecular and cellular
techniques
Co-ordinator:
Andre Goffinet
Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix
Neurobiology Unit
Rue de Bruxelles 61
B - 5190 Namur
Belgium
Tel: +32-81 724277
Fax: +32-81 724280
E-mail: andre.goffinet@fundp.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
192
Project number: QLG3-2000-00161
Acronym: MAPAWAMO
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 9.4.
EU contribution: 1.749.600 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3B DK 2F
Mapping visual cortical regions in awake, behaving monkey using functional
MRI
fMRI will be used to map visual cortical regions and attention effects in
the awake, behaving monkey. These data will be compared to fMRI data obtained
in humans under the same conditions and with double label 2-deoxyglucose data
obtained in the same monkeys. All steps of the fMRI experiment will be
considerably improved and new software tools for generation of activation maps
and estimation of the network connectivity developed and evaluated. This project
will provide direct link between human non-invasive imaging and experimental
analysis of brain processes and will develop and validate the non-invasive
imaging techniques. The result will be a direct comparison of human and monkey
visual cortex and its control by attention. The second result will be a better
understanding of the link between fMRI signals and neuronal activity.
Keywords: visual cortical regions, 2-deoxyglucose, non-invasive imaging
Co-ordinator:
Guy A. Orban
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Laboratorium voor Neuro- en Psychofysiologie
Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
B - 3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel: +32 16 345744
Fax: +32 16 345993
E-mail: guy.orban@med.kuleuven.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
193
Project number: QLG3-2000-00594
Acronym: PVEOut
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 9.4.
EU contribution: 1.537.975 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: DK F HU 2I S UK
Enhancement of clinical value of functional imaging through automated
removal of partial volume effect
In medicine, images of the structure (e.g. MRI) and function (e.g. Nuclear
Medicine techniques) of the brain are used. Functional images are hampered by
low resolution, resulting in contamination of the signal of each region from the
surrounding structures (Partial Volume Effect -PVE), limiting their applications,
especially when atrophy is present (e.g. in Alzheimer's Disease). Functional
images can be corrected knowing the shape and size of corresponding brain
structures as assessed by structural imaging. This projects aims at: 1) setting up an
automated method for correction of functional low-resolution brain imaging; 2)
validating it using specifically designed anthropomorphic phantoms; 3) applying
it on pre-existing normal volunteers and patients studies. This software, validated
by a team of European Centres, will set a standard for FVE correction, providing a
tool for excellence of European research and of health care in brain disease.
Keywords: structural imaging, functional low-resolution, anthropomorphic
phantoms
Co-ordinator:
Bruno Alfano
Centro per la Medicina Nucleare
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Edificio 10, Via Pansini 5
I - 80131 Napoli
Italy
Tel: +39-081 7462226
Fax: +39-081 5457081
E-mail: alfanobr@unina.it
__________________________________________________________________
194
Project number: QLG3-2000-00844
Acronym: Neuro-Coregulators
Contract signature: 14/11/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.423.349 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2F HU
Nuclear hormone receptor co-regulators
Steroid and thyroid hormones influence brain structure and function from
early development through to ageing. Their actions are mediated by nuclear
hormone receptors (NR) which regulate gene transcription via association with
proteins, which modulate their transactivation potential (nuclear receptor coregulators; NRC). Little is known on NRC in the brain despite their potential
importance for determining NR signalling efficacy during and specificity. This
project seeks to identify novel and characterise the significance of select NRC in
brain development and function using state-of-the-art methods of molecular and
cell biology. The project will contribute to cell and molecular neuroscience and
will serve in the development of more effective drugs or gene therapies for brain
disorders.
Keywords: nuclear hormone receptors, gene transcription, brain development
Co-ordinator:
Osborne Almeida
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft e.V.
Department of Neuroendocrinology
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry
Kraepelinstrasse 2-10
D - 80804 Munich
Germany
Tel: +49-89 30622216
Fax: +49-89 30622461
E-mail: osa@mpipsykl.mpg.de
__________________________________________________________________
195
Project number: QLG3-2000-00911
Acronym: Stem Cells for Repair
Contract signature: 23/11/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.409.906 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EL 2F UK
Engineering neural precursors for myelin repair
The overall aim of our project is to generate cells or therapeutic
compounds that will repair the lesions of the common neurological disorder
Multiple Sclerosis. To achieve this aim we will pursue a series of objectives: (1)
Generate neural precursor cells with enhanced migration properties that can reach
and repair sites of demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) following
transplantation in animal models for the disease; (2) Develop techniques to
manipulate neural precursor migration in a transient manner if differentiation of
these exogenous cells is hampered in some way; (3) Characterise the cell surface
signalling that stimulate precursor cell migration in order to design compounds
enhancing the recruitment of endogenous myelin-forming cells at sites of
demyelination. Our strategy will be based on manipulating molecules known to be
permissive for migration during development of the nervous system such as the
polysialylated form of NCAM and chemokines or important for signalling during
migration such as integrins. Our final assay will be the restoration of fast nerve
conduction in the remyelinated fibers.
Keywords: multiple sclerosis, demyelation, central nervous system
Co-ordinator:
Monique Dubois-Dalcq
Institute Pasteur
Département de Virologie
Unité de Neurovirologie et Régénération du Système Nerveux
25 Rue du Docteur Roux
F - 75724 Paris, Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 40 61 34 22
Fax: +33 1 40 61 34 21
E-mail: mdalcq@pasteur.fr
__________________________________________________________________
196
Project number: QLG3-2000-00930
Acronym: EUTHYROID
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.132.296 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B E 2NL 3UK
Neurodevelopmental disorders in premature infants caused by thyroid hormone
insufficiency - molecular basis for diagnosis and therapy
Transient hypothyroxinaemia in preterm infants is associated with later
neurodevelopmental deficits in motor and cognitive function. The main goal of
our research programme is to determine the molecular basis of transient
hypothyroxinaemia of preterm infants and to use this information to drive the
development of novel preventive and/or therapeutic strategies for these
widespread and potentially debilitating handicaps of brain function. Here we have
assembled an international and multidisciplinary research consortium, which is in
a unique position to achieve this goal, with a combination of clinical, scientific
and manufacturing expertise. We plan to study at the molecular level the major
pathways of iodothyronine metabolism and iodine supply in early human life and
in experimental models and then translate this information into new products for
detecting, preventing and correcting transient thyroid dysfunction of prematurity.
Keywords: thyroid hormone insufficiency, preterm infants, iodothyronine
metabolism
Co-ordinator:
Robert Hume
University of Dundee
Tayside Institute of Child Health
Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
UK- Dundee DD1 9 SY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1382 632594
Fax: +44-1382 632597
E-mail: r.hume@dundee.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
197
Project number: QLG3-2000-00934
Acronym: StrokeGene
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.933.661 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D F I PL S UK
Gene search towards the identification of novel therapeutic strategies against
brain ischemia
Stroke and other manifestations of brain ischemia are common and
devastating disorders which dramatically deteriorate the patients quality of life
and which in the EU produce annual costs of approximately 35 billions €. At the
present no efficient therapy is available but there is increasing evidence that the
outcome of ischemic injury is regulated by intrinsic genomic responses. To search
for such genes, clinically relevant experimental brain ischemia models will be
produced. Brain regions with reversible and irreversible injury will be identified
and high throughput gene expression profiling will be carried out using Digital
Expression Pattern Display *DEPD* and automated DNA chip technology.
Outcome-specific genes will be identified and tested for pathophysiological
relevance. Based on this information novel treatment strategies will be designed
and evaluated for therapeutical efficacy.
Keywords: brain ischemia, gene expression, digital expression pattern display
Co-ordinator:
Konstantin-Alexander Hossmann
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
Abteilung für Experimentelle Neurologie
Max-Planck-Institut für Neurologische Forschung
Gleueler Strasse 50
D - 50931 Köln
Germany
Tel: +49-221 4726210
Fax: +49-221 4726325
E-mail: hossmann@mpin-koeln.mpg.de
__________________________________________________________________
198
Project number: QLG3-2000-01224
Acronym: Eurostem
Contract signature: 21/09/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.332.624 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D F I P S 2UK
Neural stem cells and stem cell-based therapies
Therapies aimed at restoring neurological function by intracerebral
transplantation brings about ethical issues relative to the use of embryonic or
foetal tissues. Human stem cells may represent a substitute for the use of such
tissues in any grafting therapy. However, in order to use these cells successfully, it
is necessary to fully understand the basic mechanisms that regulate their
proliferative state, their mode of division and their differentiation potentials. Two
major avenues will be pursued: i) In vivo and in vitro analysis of neural stem cell
behaviour in simple organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster as well as in
vertebrate nervous system; ii) Design of cell replacement protocols in animal
model systems for post-traumatic disorder.
Keywords: intracerebral transplantation, drosophila megalonaster, vertebrate
nervous system
Co-ordinator:
Angela Giangrande
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Laboratoire de Genetique Moleculaire des Eucaryotes - UPR6520
1 Rue Laurent Fries, BP163
F - 67404 Illkirch
France
Tel: +33-3 88 65 3381
Fax: +33-3 88 65 32 01
E-mail: angela@igbmc.u-strasbg.fr
__________________________________________________________________
199
Project number: QLG3-2000-01343
Acronym: BIONIC EAR
Contract signature: 8/12/2001
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.533.158 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: F I 3S CH
The BIONIC EAR, a new approach to trigger repair mechanisms in the inner
ear
This project aims at designing a new therapeutic approach for the
restoration of sensory function after damage in the inner ear auditory and balance
organs. This goal will be reached through the better understanding of the
regenerative and "neo- synaptogenesis" potential of inner ear sensory neurones
and on how this potential can be enhanced in in vivo in hearing-impaired animals.
Stem cell lines from normal animals and form transgenic animals over expressing
neurotrophic factors will be established and these cells will be further manipulated
using genetic engineering. The ability of these cells to support regeneration in the
inner ear will be assessed with functional in vitro and in vivo approaches. This
cell therapy approach will be combined with existing biopolymer implants and
with existing cochlear electrode prosthesis into a BIOELECTRODE implant.
Keywords: transgenic animals, cell therapy, cochlear electrode prothesis, inner
ear
Co-ordinator:
Eric Scarfone
Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
INSERM U432 / Université de Montpellier II
Place Eugène Bataillon
F - 34095 Montpellier, Cedex 05
France
Tel: +33-4 67146394
Fax: +33-4 67143696
E-mail: erics@univ-montp2.fr
__________________________________________________________________
200
Project number: QLG3-2000-01405
Acronym: Cystatin B in Epilepsy
Contract signature: 5/12/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.659.998 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EE 2FIN I S
Progressive myoclonic epilepsy and neuronal apoptosis. A genetic, molecular
biological, biochemical and pharmacological approach to cystatin B and
cysteine proteases
Epilepsies represent a serious medical and social problem. Defects in a
cysteine proteinase inhibitor, cystatin B (CSTB) gene were found by one
Contractor to be responsible for progressive myoclonus epilepsy of UnverrichtLundborg type (EPM1)-an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. We
will use in vitro and in vivo approaches to understand the mechanisms by which
deficiency of CSTB leads to the human disease. The current hypothesis is that
deficiency of CSTB promotes neuronal apoptosis. We will develop a diagnostic
test based on CSTB protein detection that is faster, cheaper and more reliable than
the current DNA-based test. Unravelling the role and mechanisms of CSTB in cell
death will allow the development of new and improved treatments that would
result in considerable progress in the management of EPM1 patients by improving
the quality of life of the individuals concerned by delaying or preventing the onset
of disease.
Keywords: myoclonic epilepsy, neuronal apoptosis, cystatin B gene
Co-ordinator:
Mati Reben
University of Kuopio
Department of Neuroscience and Neurology
Harjulantie 1
FIN - 70211 Kuopio
Finland
Tel: +358-17162328
Fax: +358-17163030
E-mail: reeben@csc.fi
__________________________________________________________________
201
Project number: QLG3-2000-01471
Acronym: NEuropair
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.430.515 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D F I S 2UK CH
Neural stem cells - from basis science to CNS repair
Neurones are lost from the brain in neurodegenerative diseases like
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The use of Neural Stem Cells (NSC) to
replace the lost cells in the damaged brain is an exciting possibility, but the
development of NSCs as potential therapeutic agents is held back by our poor
understanding of NSC biology. Here, we address crucial questions that need to be
answered if stem cell therapy is to succeed. We have identified genes important
for NSCs and defined stem cell populations that differ in their capacity to repair.
The skills in a broad range of experimental techniques are well developed in the
seven participating laboratories. Our approach is to apply this interdisciplinary
expertise to clarify the significance of these genes and cell populations in NSC
repair. We expect to have established some of the basic parameters that determine
the success of NSC transplantation as a therapy for neurodegenerative disease.
Keywords: therapeutic agent, neurodegenerative diseases, neural stem cells
Co-ordinator:
Urban Lendahl
Karolinska Institutet
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
von Eulers vag 3, Box 285
S - 171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: +46-8 7287323
Fax: +46-8 348135
E-mail: Urban.Lendahl@cmb.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
202
Project number: QLG3-2000-01556
Acronym: COSMO
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.234.615 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E 3F UK
Control of specification and migration af oligodendrocytes
The study of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying
oligodendrocyte development is a prerequisite to understand pathologies linked to
myelin dysfunction. During development, the oligodendroglial specification of
neuroepithelial cells is a process spatially restricted which gives rise to a diversity
of oligodendrocyte cells types. The aim of our project is to study, from
multidisciplinary approaches (molecular and cellular) and in different animal
models (Drosophila, chick, mouse): i) the developmental mechanisms regulating
the oligodendrogenesis from undifferentiated neuroepithelial precursors: focusing
on genetic cascade that controls the choice of oligodendroglial lineage; and ii) the
biological consequences of molecular and spatial differentiative characters of
oligodendrocyte progenitors; focusing the migration patterns and their molecular
control.
Keywords: oligodendrocytes, myelin dysfunction, neuroepithelial cells
Co-ordinator:
Salvador Martinez
University of Murcia
Department Morphological Sciences and Psychobiology
Fac. Medecina
Campus De Espinardo
E - 30071 Murcia
Spain
Tel: +34-968 364343
Fax: +34-968 363955
E-mail: salvador@fcu.um.es
__________________________________________________________________
203
Project number: QLG3-2000-01625
Acronym: Brain Genes
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 9.3.
EU contribution: 1.467.023 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E F I NL UK
The genetic control of brain development
Primary regional organisation of the vertebrate brain is specified by gene
cascades, which are activated during early embryogenesis. Identities of different
brain regions are partly defined by gene families having similar functions in
Drosophila and vertebrates, indicating regulatory mechanisms that are strongly
conserved in evolution. Despite fragmentary knowledge about different aspects of
early neural development, there is not yet an integrated picture of the regulatory
cascades, which set up the primary organisation of the brain. This is a central
unsolved problem in the neurosciences. The proposed programme co-ordinates the
complementary expertise of six specialist groups to elucidate mechanisms
underlying development of different brain regions and determine how their
construction is co-ordinated. We expect that these investigations will provide a
solid basis for understanding how the brain is built and how its organisation is
disturbed by genetic disease.
Keywords: brain development, embryogenesis, gene cascades
Co-ordinator:
Antony Durston
Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen
Netherlands Institute for Developmental Biology
Uppsalalaan 8
NL - 3584 CT Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 30 2510211
Fax: +31 30 2516464
E-mail: Tony@niob.knaw.nl
__________________________________________________________________
204
Project number: QLG3-2000-01797
Acronym: SENSUB
Contract signature: 3/10/2000
Area: 9.4.
EU contribution: 1.258.358 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: F D B
Brain plasticity and sensory substitution in human blindness
Sensory substitution is a new concept in neurosciences. It assumes that the
information from a defective sensory system (e.g.) a TV camera and "translated"
into another physical stimulus that can be used by an intact sensory system (e.g.
somesthesy) and carried to the brain via the corresponding pathways (e.g. tactile
nerve pathways). Visuo-tactile and visuo-auditory sensory substitution systems
are both designed to code spatial information normally provided by vision.
Utilising brain imaging techniques (FMRI and PET) and behavioural
experimental techniques, we propose to analyse: (a) the ongoing brain changes
and (b) the links between sensory and cognitive brain representation due to the
utilisation of that perceptual modality that is totally artificial and new to the
subjects.
Keywords: brain imaging, sensory substitution, blindness
Co-ordinator:
Eliana Sampaio
Université Louis Pasteur
Laboratoire d'études des Systèmes Perceptifs
Faculté de Psychologique et des Sciences de L'éducation
Rue Goethe 12
F - 67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel: +33-3 88358450
Fax: +33-3 88358220
E-mail: eliana.sampaio@psycho-ulp.u-strasbg.fr
__________________________________________________________________
205
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-00902 Acronym: NICOTINIC RECEPTORS
Contract signature: 20/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.629.992 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D EL F NL 2UK
Structural basis of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function
The aim of this project is to determine the 3D structure of the prototypic
neurotransmitter receptor, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), at high
resolution, for understanding the structural basis of its function, using advanced
electron and X-ray crystallography, NMR, AFM, molecular modelling and
electrophysiology, combined with antibody and ligand labelling. The best
available image of a neurotransmitter receptor is that of the AChR at 4.6AA
resolution. Our objectives are to achieve: a. high resolution structure of closed and
open AChR channels by electron microscopy; b. imaging individual AChRs in
action by AFM; c. X-ray structure of AChR channels; d. conformation (by NMR
and X-ray crystallography) of AChR fragments; e. characterization of ligand and
protein binding properties; f. detailed models of Torpedo and human AChRs by
the combined results, rational design of subtype-specific ligands and ligand
assessment by electrophysiology. Elucidation of the structure-function
relationship of AChRs will be catalytic to numerous studies in synapse function
and dysfunction.
Keywords: nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, 3D structure, electron microscopy,
X-ray structure
Co-ordinator:
Socrates Tzartos
Hellenic Pasteur Institute
Department of Biochemistry
127, Vas. Sofias Avenue
EL - 11521 Athens
Greece
Tel: + 3016478844
Fax: + 3016478842
E-mail: tzartos@mail.pasteur.gr
__________________________________________________________________
206
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-00929 Acronym: EPILEPTOSOME
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.496.569 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A CZ D E 2F UK
Looking for new targets for anti-epileptic therapy: focus on presynaptic
glutamate receptor complexes
The brain neurotransmitter, glutamate, has been implicated in neurological
diseases (e.g. epilepsy and neurodegeneration). Its kainate and mGlu7 receptors
promote and suppress epileptic seizures, respectively. Nevertheless, all the
compounds that have been developed so far to act directly on these receptors have
been unsuccessful in clinical trials. Therefore new therapeutic targets and
strategies are needed. A general rule is that neurotransrnitter receptors interact
with other proteins to form functional complexes. This also applies to kainate and
mGlu7 receptors. Such protein-protein interactions stabilise these receptors at
presynaptic sites to control the release of glutamate. The goal of the present
project is to identify the nature and role of presynaptic kainate and mGlu7
receptor interacting proteins in the development of epileptic seizures. Drugs
acting on these proteins are screened for their anti-epileptic properties.
Keywords: neuroscience, cell communication, neurotransmitter, epilepsy
Co-ordinator:
Joel Bockaert
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Delegation Regionale Languedoc-Roussillon
UPR 9023 - Mécanisme Moléculaires des Communications Cellulaires
C.C.I.P.E.
141, Rue de la Cardonille
F - 34094 Montpellier
CEDEX 05
France
Tel: + 33467142930
Fax: + 33467542432
E-mail: bockaert@bacchus.montp.inserm.fr
__________________________________________________________________
207
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-01056 Acronym: Receptor Heterodimer
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.156.470 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B D DK E EE I S
Heteromerization of adenosine and dopamine receptor subtypes; relevance for
neuronal integration in normal and pathological states
The laboratories of K Fuxe (Sweden), L Agnati (Italy), R Franco (Spain),
M Bader (Germany), J Scheel-Kruger (Neurosearch, Denmark), A Rinken
(Estonia) and S. Schiffmann (Belgium) work on the project. This consortium has
recently demonstrated that adenosine (Ado) /dopamine (DA) receptor (R)
heteromerization play an important role in striatal neuronal functions. These
results open new perspectives for the knowledge and therapy of neurological
diseases. The project aims towards 1) understanding the structural and molecular
basis of Ado/DA R heteromerization; 2) understanding the role of Ado/DA
heteromers in cell function and striatally regulated functions, also involving the
study of knock-in mice with mutated A2A and D2 R lacking the ability to
heteromerize; 3) preclinical development of novel A2A and A1 compounds
targeting the A2A/D2 and A1 /D1 heteromers, respectively, for treatment of
Parkinson's disease (PD).
Keywords: heteromerisation, dopamine, adenosine
Co-ordinator:
Kjell Fuxe
Karolinska Institutet
Department of Neuroscience
S - 17177 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + 4687287078
Fax: + 468337941
E-mail: kjell.fuxe@neuro.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
208
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-01181 Acronym: SYNAPTOGENET
Contract signature: 16/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.747.779 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D E F 2UK
Assembly, maintenance and novel potential drug targets of the synapse
Synapses are key elements for neuronal communication in the brain. Many
synaptic proteins are targets for neuropharmaceuticals as well as neurotoxins and
street drugs. Synaptic dysfunction is associated with various neurological
disorders. The pivotal objectives of this study are to gain precise insight into
processes of synaptic assembly and function, to understand pathomechanisms
underlying synaptic dysfunction and to discover novel targets for
neuropharmaceuticals. The skills of the partners in molecular biology, genetics
(including advanced trans-genic technologies in mouse and fly), bioinformatics,
biochemistry, electro-physiology, cell biology and functional anatomy are
combined to: study mechanisms of synapse assembly, identify genes involved in
acquisition of synaptic competence (i.e. the ability to form synapses), analyse
molecular mecha-nisms of transmitter release, and find and validate new potential
drug targets.
Keywords: synapse, pathomechanisms, neuropharmaceuticals
Co-ordinator:
Eckart D. Gundelfinger
Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology
Department of Neurochemistry and Molecular Biology
Brennecke Str. 6, P.O.Box 1860
D - 39118 Magdeburg
Germany
Tel: + 493916263228
Fax: + 493916263229
E-mail: gundelfinger@ifn-magdeburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
209
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-01241 Acronym: MICROCIRCUITS
Contract signature: 21/11/2001
Area: 9.2
EC contribution: 1.715.138 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B DK IL 2S UK
Cortical, cerebellar and spinal neuronal networks - towards an interface of
computational and experimental analysis
Whereas the cell and molecular biology of the nerve cell has undergone a
revolution during the last decade, we still have a fragmentary knowledge of the
next level, the intrinsic function of the neuronal networks that are responsible for
the basic processing and pattern generation within the brain. We will address five
different networks that are experimentally amenable, and located on different
levels of the CNS. They are: the columns of neocortex, hippocampal
microcircuitry, cerebellar granular layer microcircuitry, networks underlying
locomotor activity, and spinal processing. These networks form basic processing
units in the brain that underlie cognition, memory formation and the control of
movement. They are chosen because, in each case there has been a rapid
accumulation of information in which the partner laboratories have played a
leading role. Moreover, for each type of network we combine a detailed cellular
and computational approach.
Keywords: computational and experimental analysis, neuronal networks
Co-ordinator:
Sten Grillner
Karolinska Institutet
Department Neuroscience, Nobel Institute for Neurophysiology
Berzelius väg 3, fl 5
S - 171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + 4687286900
Fax: + 468349544
E-mail: sten.grillner@neuro.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
210
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-01460 Acronym: EYE DEVELOPMENT
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.693.216 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E F I 2UK
Molecular, cellular and genetic interactions in vertebrate eye development
A molecular explanation of how the vertebrate eye is built is the goal of
this project. This is broken into three stages: the formation of the eye anlagen, the
subdivision of the optic vesicle into the retina, pigment epithelium, and optic
stalk, and the generation of various neuronal cell types in the retina. The
experiments here take advantage of modern molecular genetic analysis in four
powerful vertebrate species to elucidate the role of the key genes involved in these
processes and to identify new genes. Much of the work is focused on
understanding the genetic and cellular interactions, the interplay of signalling
molecules and transcription factors, extrinsic and intrinsic components of the
genetic network of eye development. The recent discovery of retinal stem cells in
vertebrates stimulates the last part of this project, a detailed characterisation of
these cells using the knowledge gained from the investigation into eye
development.
Keywords: vertebrate eye, molecular genetic analysis, retinal stem cells
Co-ordinator:
William Harris
Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the Univesity of Cambridge
Higher Education Institute Anatomy
Downing Street
UK - Cambridge CB2 3DY
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441223333772
Fax: + 441223333786
E-mail: harris@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
211
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02004 Acronym: DECG
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.640.867 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: I NO SI 2UK CH
Dynamics of extracellular glutamate
Glutamate (Glu) is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the central
nervous system and both too low and too high levels of Glu are harmful. Glu
exerts its signalling function by activating receptors on the cell surfaces. Nervous
tissue is an extremely complex network of cellular extensions. Glu receptors are
widely distributed within this network; both within and outside synapses. Glu is
released at synapses and from other parts of both neurons and supporting cells.
Understanding of Glu mediated signalling therefore requires insight into how Glu
diffuses between the cellular elements and how it is released into and is removed
from the extracellular fluid. Disturbance of this control likely contributes to
several disorders causing suffering and economic losses. The consortium will
clarify the mechanisms controlling extracellular Glu, and will produce a
knowledge base for pharmaceutical industry and clinical medicine.
Keywords: glutamate, glia, neurone
Co-ordinator:
Jon Storm-Mathisen
University of Oslo
Department of Anatomy - Insitute of basic medical Sciences
Sognsvannsveien 9 POB 1105 Blindern
NO - 0317 Oslo
Norway
Tel: + 4722851258
Fax: + 4722851278
E-mail: jonsm@pons.uio.no
__________________________________________________________________
212
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02089 Acronym: KAR-TRAP
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.385.044 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2F 2NO UK
Kainate and AMPA receptor trafficking and recycling at brain synapses
Glutamate receptors are implicated in important neurological diseases and
believed to play a central role in brain development, learning and memory. With
their associated intracellular signalling molecules, they attract considerable
interest in potential therapeutical targets in neurological conditions such as stroke,
chronic neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia.
These are major health problems, particularly among elderly, that strongly call for
new therapeutic approaches. The present project intends to provide an
experimental basis for development of therapies that act by reducing or increasing
the number of glutamate receptors at the synapse. Specifically, attempts are made
to understand the mechanisms underlying insertion into and removal of glutamate
receptors from smaptic membranes. This may reveal molecular targets for fine
tuning of synaptic transmission in specific brain areas.
Keywords: brain, synapse, glutamate receptor
Co-ordinator:
Ole Petter Ottersen
University of Oslo
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences
Sognsvannsveien 9 POB 1105 Blindern
NO - 0317 Oslo
Norway
Tel: + 4722851270
Fax: + 4722851299
E-mail: o.p.ottersen@basalmed.uio.no
__________________________________________________________________
213
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02256
Contract signature: 21/11/2001
EC contribution: 1.804.310 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B I IL NL NO UK
Acronym: CEREBELLUM
Area: 9.2
Duration: 36 months
Computation and plasticity in the cerebellar system : experiments, modeling and
database
The long-term goal of this project is to understand how the cerebellum
functions. Our approach is based on a tight interaction between computer
modelling and experimental work. The work is organized around forthcoming
scientific questions: - cerebellar connections: what is the relation between
insagitally oriented microzones and the patchy maps of mossy fiber projections? functional organization of the climbing fiber system: does it strictly follow the
sagittal microzones and can inhibition from deep cerebellar nuclei uncouple
olivary neurons? - what is the physiological role of synaptic plasticity at the
mossy fibers to granule cell synapse?
Keywords: cerebellum, plasticity, modelling
Co-ordinator:
Erik De Schutter
Universiteit Atwerpen / Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen
Theoretical Neurobiology
Universteitsplein 1
B - B2160 Antwerpen
Belgium
Tel: + 3238202616
Fax: + 3238202669
E-mail: erik@bbf.uia.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
214
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02310 Acronym: Forebrain Patterning
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 1.190.353 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E I 2UK
Comparative approach to the analysis of molecular pathways underlying cell
communication mechanisms in forebrain patterning
The project is an integrated approach to study the molecular basis of cell
communication processes generating neural diversity in forebrain development in
chick, mouse and zebrafish embryos. The ultimate goal is to understand the
signals that define the variety of neural cell types in the forebrain. The focus is on
understanding the zona limitans intrathalamica (zli), an important signalling
center recently discovered in the forebrain. A combination of experimental
embryology and molecular techniques exploiting the different strengths of each
model organism is used to study the development, signalling activity and
interactions of the zli. Isolation and functional studies of key genes will determine
the role of these genes in the zli, and in forebrain development more generally.
This understanding will form an essential basis for designing repair strategies for
the damaged or diseased human brain.
Keywords: cell communication, forebrain development, zona limitans
intrathalamica, embryology
Co-ordinator:
Michael Brand
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Pfotenhauerstrasse 110
D - 01307 Dresden
Germany
Tel: + (49-6221)548355
Fax: + (49-6221)544496
E-mail: brand@sun0.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
__________________________________________________________________
215
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02353 Acronym: PrP and Neurodegeneration
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 997.834 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D 3F I UK
Molecular basis of neurodegeneration in Transmissible Spongiform
Encephalopathies (TSE)
The appearance of BSE and vCJD in Europe has raised tremendous public
interest in "health and consumer protection" with regard to food and to other
derived products susceptible to carrying the infectious agent of these diseases.
This project will focus on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in TSE and in
particular on the relationship between PrP expression, metal ion metabolism and
oxidative stress. The role of two additional pathogenic factors, a transmembrane
form of PrP and Doppel, a PrP related protein, will also be considered.
Experimental approaches will include cellular and animal models of TSE and
state of the art techniques in oxidative stress and signal transduction analysis. We
believe that advances in the knowledge of the PrP physiological and pathological
function, as well as in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in TSE will provide
the basis for new preventive and/or therapeutic strategies against these diseases.
Keywords: TSE, neurodegeneration, prion
Co-ordinator:
Sylvain Lehmann
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Delegation Languedoc-Roussillon
Institut de Génétique Humaine, UPR 1142, CNRS
Rue de la Cardonille, n 141
F - 34396 Montpellier
CEDEX 5
France
Tel: + 33499619931
Fax: + 33499619901
E-mail: Sylvain.Lehmann@igh.cnrs.fr
__________________________________________________________________
216
Project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02430 Acronym: Retrograde signalling
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 914.995 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D 3F S
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal retrograde signalling
In addition to the classical, polarised release of neurotransmitter that takes
place at synapses, neurones communicate with each other through another, less
well understood mechanism called retrograde inhibition. Neurones emit a
messenger molecule from their somatodendritic membrane when they fire action
potentials, and this molecule induces an inhibitory signal in the axon and synaptic
terminals of presynaptic neurones. The aim of this project is to test whether
retrograde inhibition results from the exocytotic release of classical
neurotranmitters from the somatodendritic domain of the releasing neuron, and to
compare this type of exocytosis with that taking place at axon terminals. The
participation of novel exocytotic proteins which are insensitive to clostridial
neurotoxins is investigated. Methods will include molecular biology,
immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, patch-clamp recording and
amperometry.
Keywords: retrograde inhibition, exocytosis, clostridial neurotoxin
Co-ordinator:
Alain Marty
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
FRE2199, Physiologie Cerebrale
CNRS
45 rue des Saints Peres
F - 75270 Paris
CEDEX 06
France
Tel: + 33142863804
Fax: + 33142863805
E-mail: amarty@gwdg.de
__________________________________________________________________
217
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-00612 Acronym: MBI
Contract signature: 5/09/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.102.289 €
Duration: 39 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A 2D F UK US
Mechanisms of brain inflammation
Aim of this project is to define the mechanisms of how inflammatory cells
enter the central nervous system in vivo and to identify the key molecules of
inflammatory cells and within the CNS that control brain inflammation. The basis
of this project are novel technologies of tracing of inflammatory cells, which
allow to follow them during their migration through different body compartments,
as well as to reisolate them for phenotypical and functional analysis. This project
will provide answers to fundamental questions on the pathogenesis of
inflammatory brain diseases and may lead to new targets for anti-inflammatory
treatment.
Keywords: encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, brain inflammation
Co-ordinator:
Hans Lassmann
Brain Research Institute University of Vienna, Austria
Division of Neuroimmunology
Spitalgasse 4
A - 1090 VIENNA
Austria
Tel: + 431427762811
Fax: + 43142779628
E-mail: hans.lassmann@univie.ac.at
__________________________________________________________________
218
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-00696 Acronym: RDDPT
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.065.727 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B NL NO 2UK
Refsum's disease: diagnosis, pathology and treatment
Phytanic acid storage disorders represent a diverse group of inherited
neurological disorders with adult Refsum's disease as the prototype. Although the
age of onset and disease severity may differ, most patients show progressive
neurologic deteriorations and retinitis pigmentosa culminating into blindness. It is
the aim of this project to perform a detailed and comprehensive study on the
diagnosis, incidence, pathology, variability of phenotypic presentation, and
treatment of Refsum's disease and related phytanic acid storage disorders. This
will be done by bringing together complementary levels of expertise in the form
of a multidisciplinary taskforce. Rapid dissemination of information gained during
the course of the project will be achieved through a publicly available website.
Keywords: Refsum's disease, diagnosis, therapy
Co-ordinator:
Ronald J.A. Wanders
Academisch Ziekenhuis bij de Universiteit van Amsterdam
Laboratory for Genetic Metabolic Diseases, room FO-224
Meibergdreef 9 POB 22660
NL - 1100 DD Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: + 31205665958
Fax: + 31206962596
E-mail: wanders@amc.uva.nl
__________________________________________________________________
219
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-00746 Acronym: Mirror
Contract signature: 16/08/2002
Area: 9.4
EC contribution: 1.300.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B D EL 2F I 2UK
The organization and cognitive role of the mirror system
The aim of this project is to study a newly discovered neural system, the
mirror system, and to assess its role in fundamental cognitive functions such as
imitation and understanding intentions of others. In the project are involved seven
leading European groups of neuroscientists. They will address the problem of the
organization of the mirror system at various levels: anatomical,
electrophysiological (single neuron recordings from STS) and functional (fMRI
and 2DG studies). The basic mechanisms of the mirror system is investigated in
both monkeys and humans using similar stimuli. The higher functions related to
mirror system are investigated in humans using fMRI. Particularly innovative is
the use of fMRI technique in monkeys. These experiments will allow the
researchers to bridge basic knowledge on mirror mechanism, available in
monkeys, with human fMRI data.
Keywords: mirror system, temporal cortex, imitation
Co-ordinator:
Giacomo Rizzolatti
Università degli Studi di Parma
Istituto di Fisiologia Umana
Via Volturno, 39
I - 43100 Parma
Italy
Tel: + 390521903879
Fax: + 390521903900
E-mail: fisioum@symbolic.pr.it
__________________________________________________________________
220
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-00809 Acronym: ECSTASY DAMAGE
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.580.835 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E F HU I UK
Cellular mechanisms of serotonergic system dysfunction and recovery following
Ecstasy-induced lesion of CNS
Despite perception of Ecstasy as a "safe drug", its neurotoxicity to 5-HT
neurones suggests that users may suffer CNS dysfunction involving 5-HT
(emotion, mood, drive and self-control, sleep, pain, cognitive processes), leading
to possible occurrence of neurological and/or psychiatric diseases later in life. Our
objective is to advance the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms
involving the 5-HT system in Ecstasy-induced CNS damage and subsequent
abnormal repair. The work will focus on 1) the development of relevant animal
models for assessing the effects of Ecstasy under conditions closely resembling
those in human users; 2) analyses of cellular mechanisms of acute and long-term
Ecstasy action and toxicity; 3) characterization of Ecstasy- induced damage and
long-term consequences on neurotransmission, cerebral blood flow and
metabolism, and cognitive performance; 4) evaluation of the potential of
antidepressant drugs in preventing and/or reducing Ecstasy-induced damage.
Keywords: serotonin system, MDMA lesion, antidepressants
Co-ordinator:
Renato Corradetti
Universita degli Studi di Firenze
Dipartimento di Farmacologia Preclinica e Clinica
Viale G. Pieraccini 6
I - 50139 FIRENZE
Italy
Tel: + 390554271246
Fax: + 390554271280
E-mail: corradet@pharm.unifi.it
__________________________________________________________________
221
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-00826 Acronym: Orexins
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 9.1
EC contribution: 997.545 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D F S 2UK
Orexins / hypocretins - new targets for therapeutic control of feeding and
sleeping disorders
Since their discovery in 1998 two peptides named orexins (synonym
hypocretins) receive much attention because of their central role in the regulation
of basic body functions: food intake, energy balance and the sleep waking cycle.
Loss of the orexin containing neurons in the hypothalamus, which project widely
in the brain, is the cause of human narcolepsy, a disabling disorder of vigilance,
which also occurs in dogs where the G-protein coupled orexin receptors are
missing. Understanding the functions of this central command system on the
molecular, cellular, network, behavior and clinical level is necessary for a rational
therapeutic approach to tackle disorders of feeding and sleeping. This task is
carried out by our consortium representing molecular biology, physiology,
pharmacology, biological psychology, clinical medicine and the pharmaceutical
industry.
Keywords: hypothalamus, food mood sleep, narcolepsy
Co-ordinator:
Helmut Haas
Heinrich-Heine-University
Department of Physiology
Universitätsstr. 1, POB 101007
D - 40225 Duesseldorf
Germany
Tel: + (49-211)8112687
Fax: + (49-211)8114231
E-mail: haas@uni-duesseldorf.de
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Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01000 Acronym: GDNF
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.577.897 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK FIN I 2S UK
Trophic signalling by GDNF family ligands and their receptors in neuronal
development and repair
The goal of this project is to elucidate novel molecular and cellular
mechanisms of nervous system development and repair using the parardigm of the
GDNF family of ligands and their receptors. GDNF is a potent growth factor for
various central and peripheral neurons and has received much attention as a
potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Our
strategy is to address crucial gaps in the understanding of the role of GDNF
ligands in neuronal development, function and repair, with the confident
expectation that this will reveal new principles of neurodevelopment and
neuroprotection of general applicability.
To this end, we propose to integrate studies on novel GDNF signalling
receptors, GDNF target genes, novel tissue-specific knock-out and transgenic
models, development of peripheral and central neural stem cells, and mechanistic
bases of neuroprotection in stroke and Parkinson's disease models.
Keywords: GDNF, RET, Parkinson
Co-ordinator:
Carlos F. Ibáñez
Karolinska Institute
Department of Neuroscience
Retziusväg 8
S - 171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + 4687287660
Fax: + 468339548
E-mail: carlos.ibanez@neuro.ki.se
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Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01048 Acronym: TargAlc
Contract signature: 18/09/2002
Area: 9.4
EC contribution: 1.165.449 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E FIN I S
Identification and validation of molecular targets for pharmacological
treatment of alcohol dependence
The project aim is to identify novel targets for pharmacological treatment
of alcoholism. In an integrative approach, complementary expertise of 5
laboratories is applied. Pharmacologically validated animal models are adapted
for generation of tissue from key brain regions. RNA is purified, and gene
expression profiles established using Affymetrix methodology. An expression
database is onstructed, and candidate genes differentially expressed in the
functional models are identified by mining the database. Candidates are
prioritized on the basis of available knowledge and availability of
pharmacological tools, and confirmed using real time PCR and in situ
hybridization. Confirmed targets are fed back into the functional models, where
pharmacological and molecular manipulations of targets are evaluated for their
ability to block alcohol drinking and reinstatement. Validated targets are patented
and provide seeds for drug development.
Keywords: alcoholism, treatment, DNA microarrays
Co-ordinator:
Markus Heilig
Karolinska Institutet
NEUROTEC
Huddinge University Hospital, M 46
S - 14186 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + 46858586666
Fax: + 46858585760
E-mail: markus.heilig@neurotec.ki.se
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224
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01141 Acronym: STEMBRIDGE
Contract signature: 27/09/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.629.845 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: CY E 2F I S 2UK
Genetic mechanisms that determine neuronal progenitor identity in the ventral
spinal cord
The most remarkable feature of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is the
massive array of neurons that permit the diversity of functional neuronal circuits.
The spinal cord contains neurons that integrate and relay sensory information
from the periphery to the brain and the neurons that control and co-ordinate motor
output. Mature neurons derive from neuronal progenitors that appear in a highly
spatio-temporal order in different neural regions. A major question in
developmental neurobiology is to understand how the developing neural tube
becomes patterned into distinct clusters of neuronal progenitors. A second,
equally important, issue is to define the genetic mechanisms that govern cell fate
determination and subtype specification of cells in the same progenitor pool. The
latter question is of important relevance to stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative
disorders of the brain and spinal cord.
Keywords: spinal cord, proteomics, stems cells
Co-ordinator:
Stavros Malas
The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics
Developmental and Functional Genetics
International Airport Avenue, No. 6; POB 23462
CY - 1683 Nicosia
Cyprus
Tel: + 35702392797
Fax: + 35702358237
E-mail: smalas@mdrtc.cing.ac.cy
__________________________________________________________________
225
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01160 Acronym: Brain IT
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.894.105 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B CZ 7D DK 3E F 4I IL 4LT NL RO 4S 11UK CH US
Brain monitoring with information technology: an open, internet based,
infrastructure for health care technology assessment in brain injury
The BrainIT network is an open consortium of clinicians, scientists, SMEs
and large scale industry using computer and internet based technology to raise
standards for multi-centre collaboration on methods for monitoring and treating
patients with traumatic brain injury (www.brainit.gla.ac.uk/brainit). We aim to
improve the hardware and software infrastructure to raise the open standards for
multi-centre data collection and data validation and to broaden access to the Brain
IT database; improve the coordination and long term funding prospects by
restructuring the consortium on a country by country basis; disseminate to
interested bodies the utility and cost-efficiency of the BrainIT network as an
essential service for implementing multi-centre collaborative research and for
measuring, maintaining and raising standards of treating patients with traumatic
brain injury.
Keywords: brain injury, open standards
Co-ordinator:
Ian Piper
South Glasgow University Hospitals Trust
Department of Clinical Physics
1345 Govan Road
UK - Glasgow G51 4TF
United Kingdom
Tel: + 4401412012595
Fax: + 4401412012995
E-mail: ipiper@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
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226
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-81223
Contract signature: 21/08/2002
EC contribution: 239.821€
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: DK E FIN S
Acronym: EUROSURGYCJD
Area: 9
Duration: 36 months
Surgery and risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
Results of case-control studies on the role of surgery in CJD transmission
have been considered controversial due to methodology. We propose a study
based on approximately 290 definite or probable sporadic CJD cases diagnosed
since 1987 onwards in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, to be identified from all
possible sources and diagnosis-validated from records perusal and surveillance
units data. Population controls, 5:1, are randomly selected from population
registers, after matching by age, sex, and country of residence at date of hospital
discharge or death of the case. Data on surgical antecedents and medical
conditions prior to CJD clinical onset is obtained from the three national hospital
in-patient registers and, in specific instances characterised or verified from direct
hospital records perusal and other methods.
Keywords: infections, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, case-control studies
Co-ordinator:
Jesús De Pedro Cuesta
Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Centro Nacional de Epidemiología
Calle Sinesio Delgado 6
E - 28029 MADRID
Spain
Tel: + 34913877819
Fax: + 34913877815
E-mail: jpedro@isciii.es
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227
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01266 Acronym: CRUMBS therapeutics
Contract signature: 12/08/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.983.760 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D F I 2NL UK
Retinal degeneration and control of cell polarity
Mutations in the Crumbs homologue 1 or CRB1 gene lead to
photoreceptor degeneration resulting in retinitis pigmentosa type 12 (RP12),
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) or classical autosomal recessive RP. The
fruitfly CRB protein is essential for the polarisation of ectodermally-derived
epithelial cells. CRB1 is expressed only in photoreceptors and brain and is
expected to play a determining role in cell polarisation. Using fruitfly, human and
mouse genetics we shall analyse the biochemical, cellular and physiological
functions of CRB1, its family members and CRB1-interacting-proteins (CIPs).
We shall analyse the retinal degeneration in mouse models for RP12 and LCA.
We will generate gene expression profiles using oligonucleotide microarray
analysis to determine the cellular and molecular changes during the onset of the
neurosensory disease. We expect to deliver lentiviral gene therapy vectors to
prevent the onset of RP12 and LCA.
Keywords: inherited disease, animal models, gene therapy
Co-ordinator:
Jan Wijnholds
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)
Department of Ophthalmogenetics, The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research
Institute (NORI)
Meibergdreef 47 POB 12141
NL - 1105 BA Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: + (31-20)5664597
Fax: + (31-20)5666121
E-mail: j.wijnholds@ioi.knaw.nl
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228
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01548 Acronym: NEUROGLOBIN
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.442.730 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2B D DK F I IL
Neuroglobin and the survival of the neuron
After cardiovascular disease and cancer, stroke and other hypoxia-related
diseases are the third most common causes of death in many industrialised
countries. In Europe, they represent the most important cause of morbidity and
long-term disability imposing an enormous economic burden. The brain's
response to hypoxia and ischemia, which helps determine the clinical outcome, is
a complex pattern of events including the synthesis of neuroprotective proteins.
These proteins will help to counteract the adverse effects of hypoxia or ischemia
by increasing anaerobic metabolism, tissue vascularity and oxigen delivery or by
the elimination of toxic compounds. Neuroglobin is an oxigen-binding protein
suggested to enhance the oxigen supply of the brain. Its significance in brain
metabolism in general and during hypoxia or ischemia is unknown.
We propose to study neuroglobin in normal and pathologic conditions in
order to elucidate its role in the survival of the neuron under hypoxic and ischemic
conditions.
Keywords: neuroglobin, hypoxia, cell survival
Co-ordinator:
Luc Moens
University of Antwerp
Biochemistry
Universiteitsplein 1
B - 2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp)
Belgium
Tel: + (00-32)38202323
Fax: + (00-32)38202248
E-mail: lmoens@uia.ua.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
229
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01563 Acronym: BioEar
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: 1.997.493 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2A D 2FIN I 2S US
BIOEAR - a bio-active cochlear implant for severe deafness
A cochlear implant (CI) is a neuro-prosthesis for severe deafness. Our
main objective is to pharmacologically treat the auditory nerve after CI, to protect
the nerve from implantation trauma and to re-grow its peripheral processes. This
treatment should improve speech understanding and of enhance the quality of life
of the patient. Animal studies and studies on human tissue samples are performed
to determine the efficacy of neurotrophins and antioxidants in preserving the
auditory nerve following deafness. Delivery systems will also be designed to
supply drugs at the time of CI. Safety, effectiveness and dosage are investigated,
leading eventually to the first human trials of NTF in the inner ear. The outcomes
of the research will have implications for the pharmacological treatment of
hearing loss, for the use of NTF to prevent neural degeneration in CNS and for
other neuroprostheses.
Keywords: cochlear implant, auditory nerve, neurotrophins
Co-ordinator:
Ilmari Pyykkö
Karolinska Institutet
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
S - 17176 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + (46-8)51776020
Fax: + (46-8)51776267
E-mail: ilmari.pyykko@ks.se
__________________________________________________________________
230
Project number: under negotiation
Acronym: EURO-MRX
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 9.3
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B CY D 3F 2NL PL
The genetic and neurobiological basis of x-linked mental retardation (MRX).
With a prevalence of about 2%, mental retardation (MR) poses an
important medical and socio-economic problem. The European MRX Consortium
has been instrumental in characterizing families with non-specific X-linked MR
(MRX) and cloning most of the MRX genes, with two objectives: (1) increasing
the possibilities for genetic counselling for MR(X) and (2) elucidation of the
neurobiological mechanisms underlying MR in order to create a basis for
therapeutic intervention. Using neuronal tissue cultures and genetically modified
mice we will study the biological mechanisms which link MRX gene defects to
deficient cognitive functioning in humans. In addition, cloning of additional MRX
genes will be accelerated using highly innovative approaches. These studies will
greatly enhance our understanding of the cellular basis of cognition.
Keywords: mental retardation, neurobiology, genetic analysis
Co-ordinator:
Ir. Hans Van Bokhoven
University Medical Centre Nijmegen
Department of Human Genetics
Geert Grooteplein 10, POB 9101
NL - 6500 HB Nijmegen
Netherlands
Tel: + 31243614017
Fax: + 31243540488
E-mail: h.vanbokhoven@antrg.azn.nl
__________________________________________________________________
231
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-01829 Acronym: BRAINTIME
Contract signature: 18/09/2002
Area: 9.4
EC contribution: 1.530.428 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D 2NL CH
The biological clock in the brain : circadian genes and the sense of time
Human adaptation to modern 24-h society is constrained by dominant
endogenous periodicities in physiology and behaviour. These rhythms, including
the sleep-wake cycle, are generated in the brain's suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN).
Their understanding has major biomedical impact in the combat of sleep
disorders, control of fatigue and risk, adjustment to shift work, timing of drug
therapies. Big strides are being made in unraveling the physiological and
molecular basis of circadian rhythms. Building on these advances we combine
molecular, brain and behaviour studies to elucidate the control of sleepwakefulness in mouse models and humans. Human studies focus on screening for
phase variations in sleep-wake rhythms and their molecular characterization.
Mouse strains with genetically modified circadian genes are exploited to
characterize the mechanism underlying SCN oscillations and establish timespecific neuroanatomical mapping of circadian gene expression throughout the
brain. Complementary expertise allows the assembly of a coherent picture of
generation and synchronization of neuronal clocks involved in adaptation to a
rotating planet.
Keywords: clock genes, circadian rhythms, suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN)
Co-ordinator:
Serge Daan
Rijks Universiteit Groningen
Center for Behaviour and Neurosciences
Animal Behaviour Research Unit
Kerklaan 30 POB 14
NL - 9750 AA HAREN
Netherlands
Tel: + 31503632046
Fax: + 31503632148
E-mail: s.daan@biol.rug.nl
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232
Project number: QLG3-CT-2002-81871 Acronym: OxPrion
Contract signature: 14/08/2002
Area: 9
EC contribution: 609.819 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E 2F 2I
Investigating the role of oxidative stress or diet on prion disease susceptibility
PrPc binds copper and has antioxidant activity enhancing the survival of
cells in culture, suggesting that PrPSc accumulation may lead to an aberrant
copper metabolism altering the cellular redox state. This project centers on
undrstanding to what extent PrPc expression and susceptibility to prions can be
influenced by oxidative stress. In vitro studies with murine neuroblastoma N2a
and Schwann MSC80A cells, and in vivo studies with transgenic mice
overexpressing either mice, human or bovine PrPc, under normal conditions or
after various treatments (irradiation, hypoxia, Cu depletion and Mn feeding,
ingestion of phosmet) known to cause oxidative stress, will show wheather and to
what extent these stress situations may enhance PrPc expression and the
susceptibility to prion infection. The work will also contribute to the basic
understanding of PrP and may give information on cellular tools (new chronically
infected non neuronal cell model) that could enhance treatment.
Keywords: risk assesment, oxydative stress, pathophysiology
Co-ordinator:
Jean-Yves Cesbron
Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble 1
Laboratoire Immunité Anti-Infectieuseje 2236
Domaine de la Merci - Faculté de Médecine
F - 38706 La Tronche - Grenoble
France
Tel: + 33476637468
Fax: + 33476627170
E-mail: jean-yves.cesbron@ujf-grenoble.fr
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234
Area 10: Public Health and Health Services
Research
235
236
Project number: QLG4-1999-00075
Acronym: D3R and Drug Addiction
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 10.2.
EU contribution: 999.999 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 3F NL UK
Dopamine D3 receptor ligands: a novell approach to the treatment of drug
addiction
We previously showed that a highly selective but partial agonist at the
dopamine D3 receptor prevented cue-induced cocaine-seeking behaviour, without
having itself addictive properties or affecting the rewarding properties of cocaine.
This unprecedented property suggests the therapeutic utility of such medication in
human addictive disorders by inhibiting craving and preventing relapse. Hence the
major objective of this programme is to develop pharmaceutically one partial D3
receptor agonist and to assess in clinical trials (up to phase IIa) its activity in drug
addicts. Meanwhile potential back-up compounds will be synthesised and their
activity assessed in a set of screening and specialised biological tests. An
additional objective is to unravel by neuroanatomical, neurochemical and
electrophysiological studies the neural mechanisms through which partial D3
receptor agonists affect addictive processes.
Keywords: drug addiction, clinical studies, new medication
Co-ordinator:
Pierre Sokoloff
Institut de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
Unité de neurobiologie et pharmacologie moléculaire (U 109)
2 ter Rue d'Alésia
F - 75014 Paris
France
Tel: +33-1 40789241
Fax: +33-1 45807293
E-mail: sokol@broca.inserm.fr
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237
Project number: QLG4-1999-00105
Acronym: CASE
Contract signature: 27/01/2000
Area: 10.2.
EU contribution: 749.989 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: E NL UK SZ
Heroin addicts and their children: a longitudinal cohort study of treatment
outcomes
Aim: To conduct comparative research throughout Europe, which will lead
to the development of pan-European standards in treatment and prevention for
heroin addicts and their children. Design: A cohort study of health and socioeconomic status of heroin addicts and their children as the addicted parents enter
one of the three major treatment modalities, with follow-up for three years.
Methods: the children under 5 of all heroin-addicted individuals entering the
major treatment modalities in 4 European centres over a 6 month period will be
followed up for 3 years and assessed annually using new European standardised
outcome measures developed by the partnership. Interventions: 1. Maintenance
treatments (methadone and heroin maintenance) 2. Detoxification treatments
(community, residential family, residential adult) 3. Non-prescribing supportive
interventions. Outcome measures: 1. Primary (children's outcomes): Residential
status, development, schooling, legal status, health status, health and social
service contacts. 2 Secondary (parents' outcomes): Successful completion or
retention in treatment, addiction status, risk-taking, criminal status, and social
status. These outcome measures will be standardised to promote pan-European
best practice.
Keywords: drugs, outcomes, health economics
Co-ordinator:
Nigel Mathers
University of Sheffield
Institute of General Practice and Primary Care
Northern General Hospital, Herries Road
UK - Sheffield S5 7AU
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-114 271 5414
Fax: +44-114 242 2136
E-mail: n.mathers@sheffield.ac.uk
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238
Project number: QLG4-1999-00873
Acronym: TREAT 2000
Contract signature: 14/02/2000
Area: 10.2.
EU contribution: 666.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D EL I S UK CH
TREAT 2000 - treatment system research on European addiction treatment
The TREAT 2000 projects aims at three objectives: A detailed
comparative description of health care systems provided for opioid addicts in six
European regions, a follow-up study of 150 opioid addicts over 18 months in
these regions including their utilisation of the system and a comparative
evaluation of the different systems by relating outcome measures of the follow-up
study, especially, social functioning and drug free days with the utilisation of the
systems and the kind of provided help. Additionally, a comparative assessment of
the costs of the regional systems and first steps to an approximate costeffectiveness evaluation will be carried out. TREAT 2000 will be the first study of
this kind. Its results will be of importance for improving local and, in particular,
European health care strategies for drug addicts.
Keywords: opioid addicts, outcome measures, social function
Co-ordinator:
Markus Gastpar
Universität GH Essen
Rhein. Kliniken Essen
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Virchowstr. 174
D - 45 147 Essen
Germany
Tel: +49-201 7232600
Fax: +49-201 7234913
E-mail: m.gastpar@uni-essen.de
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239
Project number: QLG4-2000-00235
Acronym: SAFE-GUARD
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.399.551 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3B 2D 3EL I IL CH
Action for enhancement of SAFEty and GUARDing of health for professional
drivers
In order to enhance the occupational safety of professional drivers a multidisciplinary consortium of 12 partners from 7 countries is formulated and will use
research methodologies ranging from clinical and ergonomic techniques
(questionnaires, task analysis, EMG), bioengineering techniques (biomechanical
modelling of the spine, computer simulation of the vibration environment, kinetic
and kinematic evaluation of the tasks) and mechanical engineering techniques
(vibration research, model analysis, FEM, NN, virtual reality mock-ups) to
establish a clear aetiological analysis of their occupational hazards, develop a
reliable seat evaluation methodology correlated to driver's health and design new,
safer seats for truck and combine vehicle's drivers.
Keywords: professional drivers, vibration research, occupational hazards
Co-ordinator:
Angelos Amditis
Institute of Communication and Computer Systems
National Technical University of Athens
Laboratory of Microwaves and Optics of ICCS/NTUA
9, Iroon Politechniou str.
GR - 15773 Zografou, Athens
Greece
Tel: +30-1 7722398
Fax: +30-1 7723557
E-mail: angelos@esd.ece.ntua.gr
__________________________________________________________________
240
Project number: QLG4-2000-00545
Acronym: ICSI-CFO
Contract signature: 29/09/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.038.709 €
Duration: 30 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B DK EL S UK
An international collaborative study of ICSI: child and family outcomes (ICSICFO)
Aim: to investigate the implications for family health and the health of
children conceived after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a new
technology in the treatment of infertility which is now used in over 750 assisted
reproductive clinics in Europe. ICSI conceived children are expected to display
the following in comparison with naturally and regular in-vitro-fertilisation
conceived children; a greater occurrence of minor physical anomalies, a greater
rate of fine/gross motor difficulties and temperamental or behavioural problems.
Design: a minimum of 650 British, Belgian, Greek, Swedish and Danish children
born following ICSI will be assessed for cognitive function, psycho-motor coordination, behaviour and physical health at age 5 years. Singleton children will
be compared with two control populations, matched for socio-demographic
factors; one of 500 normally conceived children and the other 500 conventional
IVF conceived children
Keywords: child and family outcomes, intracytoplasmic sperm injection,
singleton children
Co-ordinator:
Alastair Gordon Sutcliffe
University College London-Institution Incorporated by Royal Charter
Department of Child Health, Royal Free Campus
Rowland Hill Street
UK - London NW3 2PF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-207 2096488
Fax: +44-207 2090681
E-mail: ilse.vickers@ucl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
241
Project number: QLG4-2000-00550
Acronym: EUHEALS
Contract signature: 9/01/2001
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 300.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D IS UK CH
Efficacy of distant healing - a four armed randomised study
Little is known about distant healing, an alternative treatment. Patients
suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS), or functional memory disorder (FMD), who have no clear treatment option
are controlled trial of distant healing in 400 patients. They will be randomised to
a) receive healing and know this, b) receive healing without knowing, c) Wait and
know this and d) wait without knowing. Study target will be health related quality
of life (SF36) after 6 months of treatment/waiting. Patients will be enrolled by
environmental clinics and treated by healers all over Europe. We thereby expect to
provide information for an evidence-based decision of regulatory and reimbursing
authorities.
Keywords: distant healing, multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue
syndrome, functional memory disorder
Co-ordinator:
Phil. Harald Walach
University Hospital
Department of Environmental Medicine and Hospital Epidemiology
Hugstetter Str. 55
D - 79106 Freiburg
Germany
Tel: +49-761 2707225
Fax: +49-761 2707224
E-mail: walach@ukl.uni-freiburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
242
Project number: QLG4-2000-00612
Acronym: EUSAFEVAC
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.399.896 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: FIN I 2NL 2S UK CH
European research programme for improved vaccine safety surveillance
The overall objective is to provide a scientific basis for improved vaccine
safety surveillance. Problems in current passive reporting systems will be
explored; Further objectives include development of case definitions for Adverse
Events Following Immunisation (AEFI); production of guidelines for data
collection; development of a vaccine register model; comparisons of active and
passive surveillance; and production of training materials. Work plan: A
systematic review of AEFIs after MMR will be performed. Problems in the
current passive reporting systems will be analysed utilising recently compiled
European database. Case definitions for significant AEFI will be developed by
expert groups and the definitions will be validated. Essential properties of vaccine
registers will be analysed. The conclusions from these achievements will be used
in a prospective study of active and passive reporting systems. All results will be
combined in an analytic overview and also used for electronic training materials
directed to professionals in vaccino-vigilance.
Keywords: vaccine safety, adverse events, immunisation
Co-ordinator:
Patrick Olin
Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control
Department of Vaccine Research
Nobels väg 18
S - 171 82 Solna
Sweden
Tel: +46-8 4572533
Fax: +46-8 7351090
E-mail: patrick.olin@smi.ki.se
__________________________________________________________________
243
Project number: QLG4-2000-00640
Acronym: PNC-EURO
Contract signature: 26/09/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.499.982 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D DK FIN 2I 3UK
Pneumococcal disease in Europe
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) causes a substantial burden of disease in
infants and adults in Europe. With the imminent licensing of new Pnc conjugate
vaccines, it is imperative to establish the pre-vaccination epidemiology of Pnc
infection to enable policy makers to implement the most appropriate vaccination
strategy. We propose to collect data with standardised methodology to determine
the actual incidence of Pnc carriage and Pnc invasive disease in a range of
European countries and the risk factors for Pnc invasive disease. We will also
develop new laboratory methodology to measure serological correlates of natural
and vaccine induced immunity. Utilising this data in tailored mathematical
models, we will predict the impact of a variety of vaccination strategies on Pnc
infection and disease and undertake an economic evaluation of these alternative
interventions to enable the design of an optimal vaccination strategy.
Keywords: streptococus pneumoniae, Pnc conjugate vaccines, vaccination
strategy
Co-ordinator:
Terhi Kilpi
Kansanterveyslaitos
Department of Vaccines
Mannerheimintie 166
FIN - 00300 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358-9 47448678
Fax: +358-9 47448675
E-mail: Terhi.Kilpi@ktl.fi
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Project number: QLG4-2000-00751
Acronym: KIDSCREEN
Contract signature: 27/12/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.069.360 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: A 2D E F NL UK CH
Screening for and promotion of health related quality of life in children an
adolescents - a European public health perspective
In health surveys even on European level little information exists about the
perceived health, i.e. quality of life, of children and adolescents in the community.
The project aims at a co-operative European development of a standardised
screening instruments for children's quality of life which will be used in
representative national and European health surveys. It also aims at identifying
children at risk in terms of their subjective health to suggest early intervention
possibilities. In addition the project addresses the impact of chronic health
conditions on quality of life in children/adolescents including social and
behavioural factors, as determinants perceived health. After the instrument
development phase, the standardised measures of QoL and their determinants will
be used in representative population surveys in the participating countries and will
be implemented and evaluated in national health services.
Keywords: standardised screening, children at risk, chronic health conditions
Co-ordinator:
Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer
University of Hamburg
Department of Medical Psychology
Martinistrasse 52
D - 20246 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: +49-40 428036206
Fax: +49-40 428034940
E-mail: ravens@uke.uni-hamburg.de
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245
Project number: QLG4-2000-01238
Acronym: HPVCCS
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.278.558 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3D DK E F NL S UK
Development of mathematical models of novel HPV-based cervical cancer
screening protocols for evaluation of the projected health and cost benefits
The objective of the project is to develop mathematical models of
HPV/cytology based cervical cancer screening protocols for the evaluation of the
health and cost benefits for EU states. The long-term performance of a combined
HPV/cytology regimen on a country-specific basis is established from screening
trials that are running in 6 different European countries and combined at a
European level. In addition the costs of existing cervical cancer screening
programs and related healthcare actions are collected. These data will be
combined in mathematical models used to evaluate clinical outcomes and
healthcare cost benefits for different scenarios. The outcome of this analysis will
be used to develop interim, fully costed, country- and EU-specific cervical cancer
screening protocols, which will be used to start an informed debate leading to the
development of a new European consensus policy for screening of cervical
cancer.
Keywords: mathematical models, HPV, cervical cancer screening
Co-ordinator:
Thomas Iftner
Eberhard - Karls Universität Tübingen
Institut für Medizinische Virologie
Calwer Str. 7/6
D - 72076 Tübingen
Germany
Tel: +49-7071 2980246
Fax: +49-7071 295790
E-mail: tsiftner@med.uni-tuebingen.de
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246
Project number: QLG4-2000-01414
Acronym: IBDT2K
Contract signature: 9/01/2001
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 1.800.000 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B DK E 2EL 5I IL IRL 2NL NO P UK
Health care in chronic non-fatal disease by the example of Inflammatory Bowel
Disease
The present study concentrates on health care in the field of
gastroenterology in which an important chronic non-fatal disease will undergo
synchronous, uniform and (near) total analysis of all important aspects related to
long term disease outcome. In addition, this effort will be made in a European
population based patient group covering the whole geographic width of the
continent. The effort will be facilitated by the fact that the patient cohort is already
well defined by previous studies. Our hypothesis is that chronic non-fatal diseases
have an evolving course in time. "Natural course of disease" does not exist any
more, as changing therapeutic, social and environmental factors continuously
influence the outcome. The proposed study will serve as an example to the
medical and paramedical community, showing periodical updating to be necessary
for every chronic non fatal Condition. This study will deliver simultaneous
scientific evidence of all aspects influencing disease outcome for both the single
patient and the community. Based on this evidence a convincing model will be
contemplated for the European Community to project health care planning for
both IBD and other chronic non-fatal diseases
Keywords: inflammatory bowel disease, gastroenterology, chronic non-fatal
disease
Co-ordinator:
Reinhold W. Stockbrügger
Academisch Ziekenhuis bij de Rijksuniversiteit Maastricht
Internal Medicine
P.Debyelaan 25 PO Box 5800
NL - 6229 HX Maastricht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 433875021
Fax: +31 43387 5006
E-mail: emaes@sint.azm.nl
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Project number: QLG4-2000-01554
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
EU contribution: 340.000 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D E EL I P UK
Acronym: Psychoedutraining
Area: 10.1.
Duration: 36 month
Impact of two alternative staff training programmes on the implementation and
effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention for families of patients with
schizophrenia
This project aims to assess the impact of two alternative staff training
programmes on the implementation and effectiveness of a standard
psychoeducational family intervention in six European countries. In each country,
the training programmes will be implemented in a leading centre. Each leading
centre will select four mental health services whose staff will be trained and in
which the psychoeducational intervention will be applied for one year in families
of patients with schizophrenia. The impact of the programmes will be evaluated
by: a) registering the families in which the intervention is started, interrupted or
completed; b) assessing the trained staff's adherence to the intervention protocol;
c) assessing the treated families' burden, coping strategies and social network at 1
and 1.5 years after the start of the intervention; d) assessing the patients' clinical
status and social functioning at 1 and 1.5 years after the start of the intervention;
e) recording patients' relapses and time spent in hospital during the follow-up
period.
Keywords: schizophrenia, staff training, psychoeducational family intervention
Co-ordinator:
Mario Maj
Second University of Naples
Department of Psychiatry, Medical School
Largo Madonna delle Grazie
I - 80138 Naples
Italy
Tel: +39-081 5666502
Fax: +39-081 5666523
E-mail: majmari@tin.it
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248
Project number: QLG4-2000-01700
Acronym: Psychiat. Day Hosp.
Contract signature: 14/11/2000
Area: 10.1.
EU contribution: 568.844 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: CZ D PL SK UK
Psychiatric day hospital treatment: an alternative to inpatient treatment, being
cost effective and minimising post-treatment needs care? An evaluative study in
European areas with different care systems
The goal of the proposed study, which closes a gap in the European region
with regard to scientific work and usable health policy data, is to evaluate the
efficacy of psychiatric treatment in a day hospital setting in five centres in five
European countries, i.e. U.K., Germany, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The main hypothesis of the study is that day hospital treatment of general
psychiatric patients is as effective as complete hospital care. To reach this goal,
patients receiving psychiatric treatment in either a day hospital or a completely
inpatient setting at the five centres will be studied in a temporally paralleled
randomised experimental pre-post design. An observation period of 18 months
will allow for the evaluation of persistent effects of the therapy in either setting.
Several related outcome criteria are compiled (e.g. psychopathology, normative
needs for care; quality of life, subjective needs for care, stress upon closest
reference person); a focal point constitutes a cost-effectiveness analysis. Results
of the study constitute a relevant health policy contribution to the evaluation of a
treatment setting expanding in the area of psychiatry.
Keywords: psychiatric day hospital treatment, impatient treatment, costeffectiveness analysis
Co-ordinator:
Thomas W. Kallert
Technische Universität Dresden
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und
Psychotherapie Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus
Festscherstrasse 74
D - 01307 Dresden
Germany
Tel: +49 351 458-3561
Fax: +49 351 458-4324
E-mail: winiecki@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
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249
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01081 Acronym: EPOS
Contract signature: 15/11/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.891.188 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E FIN NL UK
European prediction of psychosis study
The long duration of untreated illness in early psychosis calls for intensive
efforts for early recognition and early intervention. EPOS is the first five-country
prospective study designed to predict the transition to psychosis and the course of
psychopathology and disability in persons with an increased risk of schizophrenia
on the basis of a multi-level assessment including psychopathology,
neurocognition, and brain imaging. Outcome is measured at 9 and 18 months
follow-ups in order to establish a "risk profile". In addition, EPOS will study
pathways and obstacles to care and calculate delays to adequate treatment. EPOS
is also the first study of the course of disabilities and quality of life during
prodromes of schizophrenia. Interventions (such as psychotherapy or medication)
are monitored and outcome is assessed prospectively.
Keywords: schizophrenia, disability, prediction
Co-ordinator:
Martin Hambrecht
Universitaet zu Koeln (Medizinische Einrichtungen)
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Joseph-Stelzmann-Str.9
D - 50924 COLOGNE
Germany
Tel: + 492214784010
Fax: + 492214785593
E-mail: martin.hambrecht@medizin.uni-koeln.de
__________________________________________________________________
250
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01352 Acronym: EUPHRATES
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.271.494 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2B DK E F FIN HU I IRL NL NO P UK CH
European project of obstetric haemorrhage reduction: attitudes, trial, and early
warning system
This project aims both to decrease the prevalence of severe obstetric
haemorrhage and to improve management when it occurs. A global five steps has
been taken to tackle the problem. The five steps of the project are the following:
(i) Description of current level of agreement and actual clinical practice (ii)
Establishment of "European" guidelines (iii) Randomised trial of effectiveness of
routine measurement of blood loss with graduated collector sac, (iv) Internet
consensus and "early warning" list for professionals, (v) Internet platform for
women and families to gain information and exchange experiences.
Keywords: randomised trial, haemorrhage, obstetrics
Co-ordinator:
Sophie Alexander
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Ecole de Sante Publique - Departement "Politiques et Systèmes de Santé"
Route le Lennik 808 POB 597
B - 1070 BRUXELLES
Belgium
Tel: + 3225554063
Fax: + 3225554049
E-mail: salexand@ulb.ac.be
__________________________________________________________________
251
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01476 Acronym: OSCAR
Contract signature: 5/11/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.202.068 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2DK FIN NO PL 2UK
Occupational stress with mental health clients in acute response
Occupational stress features highly in both the hospital and communitybased mental health workforce, particularly with respect to violent severely
mentally ill clients. This project aims to address the problem of occupational
stress by producing European comparative baseline data, and by developing and
evaluating trans-European training packages, which include standardised and
effective stress reduction and risk assessment procedures. Objectives are to
evaluate on a European basis levels of occupational stress and burnout, to
examine the aetiological factors which precipitate the occurrence of violent
behaviour, to examine the efficacy of risk management strategies, and to develop
and evaluate effective stress reduction training packages. The method is a quasiexperimental research study. Outputs include a European database, standardised
and evaluated risk assessment and stress-reduction training packages.
Keywords: occupational stress, community-based mental health, aetiological
factors, risk assessment
Co-ordinator:
Peter Ryan
Middlesex University
Department of mental research and behavioural sciences
Highgate Hill
UK - London N19 5NF
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442072883541
Fax: + 442072883040
E-mail: p.ryan@mdx.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
252
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01496 Acronym: Gender and Alcohol
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 611.233 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A CZ D F FIN HU I IL NL NO S UK BR CA 2CH MX RU
2US
Gender, culture and alcohol problems: a multi-national study
The proposed study, with WHO participation, will examine differences in
drinking behaviour amongst men and women in 8 EU and 12 non-EU countries. It
will analyse gender differences in drinking patterns and drinking contexts and in
the prevalence of alcohol-related problems. It will also investigate gender
differences in the experience of alcohol-related violence in close relationships, in
social inequalities in alcohol use/abuse as well as in combinations of social roles
associated with heavy alcohol use. Finally, it will examine the influence of
societal level factors on differences in men's and women's alcohol use in the study
countries. Using centralised data analysis and standardised measures, the study
will inform European Public Health policy by identifying gender differences in
"at-risk" subgroups and by seeking to better specify and understand the differing
correlates and conditions of problematic alcohol use between the genders.
Keywords: gender, alcohol drinking, alcohol problems
Co-ordinator:
Kim Bloomfield
Free University of Berlin
Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology
Hindenburgdamm 30
D - 12200 Berlin
Germany
Tel: + 493084452584
Fax: + 493084454471
E-mail: bloomfield@medizin.fu-berlin.de
__________________________________________________________________
253
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01550 Acronym: DRUGS AND PSYCHOSIS
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 880.149 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D DK I UK
A cross cultural multi-centre study to determine the nature, extent and
management of drug-related mental health problems in Europe
This cross-sectional multicentre study is designed to determine the major
extent and management of drug-related mental health problems in Europe. It will
examine the prevalance and pattern of drug using populations of hospitalised
patients with acute psychosis; identify the role of cannabis and other drug use;
study the etiology of acute psychotic illness and in the genesis of chronic
psychosis; determine whether or not a clear syndrome of acute psychosis is
associated with the use of cannabis; perform cost analysis of treatment given to
patients with drug and mental health problems (co-morbidity) and determine the
universality of this syndrome. The role of cannabis and other illicit substances in
precipita ting relapse in pre-existing psychotic illness will also be evaluated. The
study will furthermore examine in each centre the nature of treatment, type of
servivces for co-morbidity clients and role of national/regional policies on
treatment provision.
Keywords: drugs, psychosis, co-morbidity
Co-ordinator:
Alexander Mario Baldacchino
St George's Hospital Medical School
Department of addictive behaviour and psychological medicine
Level 6, Hunter Wing, Cranmer Terrace
UK - London SW17 0RE
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442087255352
Fax: + 442087252914
E-mail: abaldacchino@sghms.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
254
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01691 Acronym: Cannabinoid Alcoholism
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 459.772 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B 2E 2I
Role for the endogenous cannabinoid system in ethanol and nicotine addiction:
implications for the treatment of drug abuse
This project is aimed to explore the role of the endogenous cannabinoid
system (ECS) on the developnent of ethanol and nicotine tolerance, rewarding
effects and physical dependence. The studies are done in normal mice and rats as
well as in CB1 knockout mice and Sardinian Alcohol Preferring rats. We will
characterize the changes induced by acute or chronic ethanol/nicotine
administration on the ECS, (enzymes for synthesis and metabolism of
endocannabinoids and cannabinoid CB1 receptors and its transduction systems),
as well as the activity of drugs acting at the ECS in drug ethanol/nicotine self
administration and withdrawal. The final goal is to investigate the utility of drugs
targetting the ECS for the treatment of alcoholism and tobacco addiction.
Keywords: endocannabinoids, alcoholism, nicotine
Co-ordinator:
Miguel Navarro Garcia
Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Facultad de Psicologia
Departamento de Psicobiologia
Campus de Somosaguas
E - 28223 Madrid
Spain
Tel: + 34913943065
Fax: + 34913943189
E-mail: pspsc10@sis.ucm.es
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255
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01734 Acronym: QUATRO
Contract signature: 10/12/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.870.464 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E I NL UK
Quality of life following adherence therapy for people disabled by schizophrenia
and their carers
Antipsychotic medication has a well-established effectiveness in the
treatment of people with schizophrenia. However, non-adherence to medication is
a very common problem, and non-adherence increases the risk of relapse of
disability, and lowers the quality of life. The "Quality of Life following
Adherence Therapy for People Disabled by Schizophrenia and their Carers" study
is a randomised controlled trial and will investigate the effectiveness and cost
effectiveness of adherence therapy designed to improve quality of life among
schizophrenic patients and their carers. The study is expected to contribute to
evidence-based practice in the care for people who suffer from schizophrenia, and
their carers, across Europe.
Keywords: quality of life, disability, schizophrenia
Co-ordinator:
Graham Thornicroft
King' s College London, Institute of Psychiatry
Health Services Research Department
De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill
UK - London SE5 8AF
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442078480735
Fax: + 442072771462
E-mail: k.langridge@iop.kcl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
256
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-01907 Acronym: MOSAIC
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.071.035 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B D DK 2F I NL P PL UK
Models of organising access to intensive care for very preterm births : a study of
10 European regional health systems
Access to intensive care for very preterm infants is vital for their survival
and future quality of life. These births account for most deaths and cases of severe
handicap resulting from the perinatal period. The challenge for health
professionals is to provide this 1-1.5% of total births with the best organised
access to specialised care. This project uses the diversity in the organisation of
perinatal care in Europe to (1) identify organisational models that promote access
to specialised care for pregnant women at risk of very preterm birth and their newborns; (2) evaluate the impact of these organisational models on the health of very
preterm new-borns and (3) determine resource use and user constraints in distinct
models. A research consortium will define a common protocol and implement (1)
a cohort study of very preterm births and (2) a survey of health units in 10 health
systems with diverse models of organisation.
Keywords: preterm birth, access to care, health services
Co-ordinator:
Emile Papiernik
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternité
Port Royal
123 Boulevard de Port Royal
F - 75679 Paris
CEDEX 14
France
Tel: + 33158412051
Fax: + 33143269993
E-mail: emile.papiernik@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr
__________________________________________________________________
257
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-02083 Acronym: ONCO POOL
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 587.084 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A DK F FIN I IRL NL PL 2S 3UK
Pooling of European data to harmonise translational research in breast cancer
The project aims at obtaining a large data Set of breast cancers, from
Breast Units representative of the presentation of the disease in Europe. No such
large tumour set, with carefully compiled and checked long-term clinical followup and with standardised histological and other measurements of tumour factors,
exists in Europe. The data set will provide a critical mass, invaluable in
translational research for relating tumour factors to clinical outcomes. The
consortium for the project provides a European Network of Excellence in Breast
Cancer. At the conclusion of the project this will be expanded by other units. In
turn this will provide a huge data set with associated quality assurance of the data.
Keywords: harmonisation, long-term clinical follow-up, standardised histological
measurement, breast cancer
Co-ordinator:
Roger Blamey
Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust
University of Surgery
Hucknall Road
UK - Nottingham NG5 1PB
United Kingdom
Tel: + 4401158402694
Fax: + 441158402673
E-mail: wendy.bartlam@nottingham.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
258
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-02175 Acronym: EAA COMPUTER-DOSAGE
Contract signature: 23/05/2002
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 2.170.162 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A 2B 2D 3DK 4E 4EL 5F 13I 3IL IRL 2NL 3P S SI 6UK AU
European action on anticoagulation (EAA): cost-effectiveness of computerassisted dosage
Oral Anticoagulant Treatment (OAT) is being used on an increasing scale
in EU countries but steps are required to improve poor success of doctors in
dosage as, even at specialised centres, patients are only maintained within
therapeutic targets for about 50% of the time. Bleeding and thrombotic
complications are associated with time "out of control" and labile control, both
shown by an EC funded pilot study to be reduced by computer-dosage. A wideranging study sufficiently large to provide clinical end-points is undertaken, to
assess the extent to which computerised OAT dosage reduces thrombotic and
haemorrhagic complications and is cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness from
reduction of clinical complications and demands on medical manpower and
administrative savings is evaluated and the potential for increased provision of
OAT within existing resources. Conformity to WHO laboratory standards and
treatment levels is checked by previously funded EC control materials.
Keywords: cost-effectiveness, anticoagulation, computer-dosage
Co-ordinator:
Leon Poller
Victoria University of Manchester
School of Biological Sciences
3.239 Stopford Building, Oxford road
UK - Manchester M13 9PT
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441612755424
Fax: + 441612755316
E-mail: ecaa@man.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
259
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-02301 Acronym: COCINEU
Contract signature: 10/12/2001
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 483.360 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D E HU I IRL S UK CH
Support needs for cocaine and crack users in Europe
Background of this project is the increase in consumption of cocaine and
crack in European capitals as a considerable problem according to representatives
of the addiction aid and to experts in charge of health politics The existing offers
in Europe as well as the present local concepts of health and order politics in the
European capitals are up to now not sufficiently prepared for these new
challenges. The project's aim is the formulation of recommendations capable to be
put into practice for adaptation of help offers to three groups of persons with an
intensive and problematic cocaine and crack consumption. For this aim, an
extensive empirical stock-taking is carried out in nine major European cities,
including consumers as well as experts from the help services and from communal
social and health politics.
Keywords: cocaine, crack, support need
Co-ordinator:
Michael Krausz
Zentrum fuer Interdisziplinaere Suchtforschunf der Universitaet Hamburg
Universitaetsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf
Martinistr. 52
D - 20246 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: + 4940428034221
Fax: + 4940428035121
E-mail: krausz@uke.uni-hamburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
260
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-02378 Acronym: COSIP
Contract signature: 10/12/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.947.400 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D DK EL FIN RO UK CH
Mental health prevention in a target group at risk: children of somatically ill
parents
Children of ill parents are at risk of having mental health problems. In
Europe, evidence based approaches to prevention are missing for this target
group. In a project involving eight European countries, the mental health status of
children exposed to parental illness is studied and services shall be implemented
with regard to differences in cultures and health systems. Based on acquired
evidence, guidelines for effective and efficient preventive services in European
countries are elaborated. Objectives include 1. Analysis of children’s needs within
adult medical care. 2. Implementation and evaluation of innovative counselling
services. 3. Identification of risk and protective factors predictive for specific
outcomes. 4. Development of efficient modules for counselling procedures. 5.
Evaluation of all interventions as a base for integrating child-oriented services
into standards of disease management for adult patients.
Keywords: children at risk, ill parents, health service
Co-ordinator:
Georg Romer
University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy
Martinistrasse 52
D - 20246 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: + 049040428033216
Fax: + 04940428035959
E-mail: romer@uke.uni-hamburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
261
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-02424 Acronym: HHH
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 2.195.523 €
Duration: 32 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 7I 2PL 4UK
Home or hospital in heart failure
Home monitoring of cardiovascular and other parameters is being tested in
heart failure (HF), since HF is an increasing load on scarse hospital resources.
Previous monitoring recorded weight, heart rate and blood pressure compared to
teleTel contacts. Novel features of this application extend this approach by: a)
long-term monitoring of respiration and heart rate rhythm and variability, as
irregular breathing, arythmias and sympathetic hyperactivity have powerful
effects on morbidity and prognosis, b) new user-friendly systems to collect such
data at home and c) new methods of data transmission and analysis. These new
features are compared with existing state of the art techniques and more simple
management algorithms. Prognostic prediction, patient QOL, education and
selfcare, and cost-effectiveness in different European countries are assessed.
Keywords: home monitoring, arythmia, sympathetic hyperactivity, heart disease
Co-ordinator:
Paul Johnson
University of Oxford
Telemonitoring Research Centre, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital
Headley Way
UK - Oxford OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441865220324
Fax: + 441865742219
E-mail: paul.johnson@obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
262
Project number: QLG4-CT-2001-02468 Acronym: MEHIB
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 390.031 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E UK
Methadone maintenance and health care for drug users: identifying best praxis
MEHIB will examine the integration of methadone maintenance treatment
(MMT) with other health promotion, health care and psychosocial services for
opiate users. The study will focus on six cities in three EU countries that have
either been historical leaders in the reduction of drug-related harm (UK) or have
recently witnessed a massive expansion of MMT services (Germany and Spain)
Modes of MMT provision largely across the chosen fieldwork sites. MEHIB shall
conduct extensive qualitative fieldwork with users and staff members of MMT
and other health and social services for opiate users. The project will result in
policy guidelines aiming to promote the broad implementation of good practice
across Europe.
Keywords: drug users, methadone maintenance treatment, psychosocial services
Co-ordinator:
Joan Carles March Cerdá
Escuela Andaluza de Salud Publica
Research area/area de Investigacion
Campus Universitario de Cartuja s/n POB 2070
E - 18071 Granada
Spain
Tel: + 34958027400
Fax: + 34958027503
E-mail: jcmarch@easp.es
__________________________________________________________________
263
Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-00638 Acronym: Predict
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 2.154.220€
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E EE NL P S SI UK
Prediction of future episodes of depression in primary medical care :
development of a risk factor profile.
Depression is a major public health problem in Europe. There is currently
no method of predicting onset and maintenance of depression. We aim to 1)
develop and validate a multi-factor European risk score, with an estimated
specificity and sensitivity of 70%, for use by GPs to predict the onset and
maintenance of depression and 2) explore the risk for the onset and maintenance
of episodes of depression among primary care attenders in seven European
countries. 895 consecutive attenders aged 18-75 are recruited from urban and rural
general practices in each country. Information on any current depression as well
as a number of likely risk factors for depression is collected at baseline and 6 and
12 months later. A multi-factor risk score, analogous to those used in the
prediction of cardiac events, is developed to assess principal risk factors for future
onset and duration of depression.
Keywords: depression, risk prediction, public health
Co-ordinator:
Michael King
University College London
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences
Royal Free and University College Medical School
Rowland Hill Street
UK - London NW3 2PF
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442078302397
Fax: + 442078302808
E-mail: m.king@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-00657 Acronym: ReBEQI
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 10
EC contribution: 1.834.054€
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: F 2I NL NO S UK
A framework and tools to develop effective quality improvement programs in
European healthcare
Quality improvement (QI) measures aim to improve health services.
However, commonly used strategies for QI do not change professional practice or
improve patient care. The objective of this proposal is to narrow the gap between
research and practice by developing a research-based approach to QI. We will
establish a framework for the selection, implementation and evaluation of QI
interventions that address identified barriers to change and that can be tailored to
local circumstances. Methods to identify the causes of sub-optimal care are
developed and interventions are designed to address identified problems. Internetbased tools are developed to help clinicians, policy-makers and others to transfer
research findings into clinical practice. Expected results include a suite of tools
for identifying barriers to change and a framework for selecting appropriate
interventions.
Keywords: healthcare, quality improvement, Internet-based tools
Co-ordinator:
Andrew Oxman
National Institute of Public Health
Health Services Research Unit
Geitmyrsveien 75 POB 4404 Nydalen
NO - 0403 Oslo
Norway
Tel: + (47-)22042363
Fax: + (47-)22042595
E-mail: andrew.oxman@labmed.uio.no
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-00786
Contract signature: 9/09/2002
EC contribution: 636.411 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 2D NL NO 2UK CH
Acronym: CAM-CANCER
Area: 10.1
Duration: 36 months
Concerted action for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
assessment in the cancer field
CAM recourse from cancer patient and health professional is reported to
grow up. Misinformation can lead the pacient to get wrong expectations regarding
treatment options. Misinformation could lead lack of compliance and undermine
treatment effectiveness. Organisations against cancer have launched initiatives for
providing suitable evidence-based information for health professional and cancer
patient. The results of these varied initiatives are redundancies of activity and
sometimes outdated information. This project aims to integrate already existing
and funded European initiatives. CAM-CANCER aims to provide the coordination and communication structure. CAM-CANCER will develop an
electronic network. CAM-CANCER tasks are: 1) Pooling and assessing the
available scientific evidence 2) Collecting and analysing information on CAM
products and their promoters 3) Produce and disseminate information for oatients
and health professionals.
Keywords: complementary and alternative medicine, cancer
Co-ordinator:
Wolfgang Neumann
Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft e.v. (German Cancer Society)
Department "ISTO"
Hanauer Landstr. 194
D - 60314 Frankfurt/ Main
Germany
Tel: + 496963009690
Fax: + 496963009666
E-mail: schmitt-thomas@krebsgesellschaft.de
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-00911 Acronym: ISADORA
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 1.399.986 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK F FIN PL 3UK
Integrated services aimed at dual diagnosis and optimal recovery from
addiction.
This prospective multicentre study is designed to describe service
provision for patients with dual diagnosis in seven European psychiatric settings
and to compare morbidity and service use for these patients with morbidity and
use for patients with single diagnosis over a period of 12 monthss. The pattern and
distribution of severe psychiatric illness and addiction is described in each sample.
The study will examine risk factors for subgroups in the samples with a specific
focus on gender. The outcomes studied comprise severity of addiction, psychiatric
symptoms, treatment compliance, psychosocial functioning, social network,
relapse and mortality and is compared with a control group. Views of clients and
staff concerning the adequacy of service provision is explored. On the basis of
these analyses, an educational programme for the staff of the participating centres
will be developed and disseminated on a European basis.
Keywords: dual diagnostic, gender, service provision
Co-ordinator:
Kerstin Baeck Moeller
The County of Aarhus
The psychiatric Services / Department of Education
Skovagervej 2
DK - 8240 Risskov, Aarhus
Denmark
Tel: + 4577892330
Fax: + 4577892339
E-mail: kbm@psykiatri.aaa.dk
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-01036 Acronym: EUNOMIA
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.697.092 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: BG CZ D E EL I IL LT PL S SK UK
European evaluation of coercion in psychiatry and harmonisation of best
clinical practise
Coercive psychiatric treatment (involuntary admissio, lusion, restraint and
medication) varies widely between European countries with regard to its
frequency, type and legal background. These variations are often difficult to
explain, which raises the question whether coercive psychiatric treatment might
entail unnecessary infringements of patients' rights or might not be therapeutically
optimal. Therefore, the goal of the proposed study is to analyse existing variation
in coercive psychiatric treatment in 12 European regions in 12 countries, using a
naturalistic approach. Data on coercive measures, their influencing factors and
out-comes, is gathered with structured and validated instruments. By integrating
this transnational database with knowledge from legal experts, ethical experts and
user organisations, national and European guidelines on best clinical practise of
coercive treatment in psychiatry will be drawn up and widely disseminated.
Keywords: psychiatry, coercion, best practise
Co-ordinator:
Thomas W. Kallert
Technische Universitaet Dresden
Klinik und Poliklinik fuer Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Fetscherstrasse 74
D - 01307 Dresden
Germany
Tel: + 493514585903
Fax: + 493514585380
E-mail: thomas.kallert@mailbox.tu-dresden.de
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-01191 Acronym: EROS
Contract signature: 19/09/2002
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 1.980.678 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E F FIN I LT PL 2S 4UK NZ RU
The use of stroke registers to assess the quality of stroke management across
Europe
EROS is a 4-year prospective study across Europe that will develop
methods and collect data in European populations to estimate the impact of stroke
and assess the quality of stroke care. The main objective is to understand the
factors underlying variations in the quality of care and outcome after stroke. The
strength of the study is the detailed clinical and healthcare information that is
collected from unbiased population registers using standardised, novel, data
collection methods. The data is able to answer unresolved issues with regard to
the influence of sociodemographic, case mix and stroke healthcare quality factors
on the variations in health of stroke patients around Europe. Refinement of
methodologies to estimate quality, health related quality of life and health
economic impact of this disease of public health importance will aid researchers
and health care planners.
Keywords: stroke, healthcare quality, disease registers
Co-ordinator:
Charles Wolfe
King's College London
Public Health Sciences
42 Weston Street
UK - London SE1 3QD
United Kingdom
Tel: + 4402078486608
Fax: + 4402078486605
E-mail: charles.wolfe@kcl.ac.uk
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269
Project number: under negotiation
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: NL
Acronym: QM in health care
Area: 10.1
Duration: 24 months
Exchange of knowledge on quality management in health care
European countries differ in the Health Care Quality Policies they pursue
and consequently there are differences in the extent of Quality Management (QM)
in health care organisations. The aim of the project is to facilitate and co-ordinate
the exchange of information and expertise on similarities and differences among
European Countries in a) the National Quality Policies, and b) research methods
to assess quality management (QM) in health care organisations at a national
level. To gain insight into the Quality Policy and the implementation of QM in the
9 participating countries three workshops will be organised. The results of the
discussions will be presented in overviews published in reports and on a web site.
The new information can be used by the countries to improve their quality policy
and QM strategies in order to improve the quality of care and quality of life of
European citizens.
Keywords: health care, quality management, health care organisations
Co-ordinator:
Dinny De Bakker
Nivel Foundation (Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research)
POB 1568
NL - 3500 BN Utrecht
Netherlands
Tel: + 31302729700
Fax: + 31302729729
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-01446 Acronym: QCT Europe
Contract signature: 25/09/2002
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 855.006 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D I NL 2UK 2CH
The quasi-compulsory treatment of drug dependent offenders in Europe
This project will produce a sound and comparable evidence base on
compulsory and quasi-compulsory treatment (QCT) of drug dependent offenders
in Europe. It involves 8 partners with specialist expertise in this area, in 6
European countries. This project will use four main methods: l) Descriptions of
QCT systems throughout the European Union and Switzerland; 2) Review of
literature on QCT published worldwide in the major European languages; 3)
Comparable, prospective, cross-national quantitative evaluations of the outcomes
of selected QCT systems in eight countries; 4) Comparable, qualitative evaluation
of the process of selected QCT systems in eight countries. The products of the
research will be widely disseminated and will include a quantitative dataset on the
research sample, and a qualitative database on the evaluated QCT systems.
Keywords: addiction crime, quasi-compulsory treatment, drug dependent
offenders
Co-ordinator:
Alex Stevens
University of Kent at Canterbury
European Institute of Social Services
Keynes College
UK - Canterbury CT2 7NP
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441227827304
Fax: + 441227823256
E-mail: a.w.stevens@ukc.ac.uk
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271
Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-01524 Acronym: EURODIALE
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 10.1
EC contribution: 553.188 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B CZ 2D DK E 2I 3NL 2S SI 2UK
Optimal organisation of health care in diabetic foot disease
Diabetic foot disease is one of the most a feared complications of diabetes,
it has important effects on quality of life and poses important demands on the
health care system in terms of manpower and costs At this moment there are
approximately 660.000 diabetic individuals in Europe with a foot ulcer and
approximately 70 000 will undergo a lower-limb amputation.
Earlier studies suggest that health care organisation is one of the most
important determinants of the outcome of a diabetic foot ulcer. The present
project aims to determine the optimal health care organisation for these patients,
taking potential differences in patient characteristics and management strategies
into account As outcome variables are used 1) clinical endpoints, 2) quality of life
and 3) economic costs. Data is collected in 14 diabetic foot centres from different
regions of Europe The results will also facilitate the formulation of "best evidence
based practice In management of diabetic foot disease" to optimise and harmonise
strategic and organisational aspects of care, taking differences In health care
systems into account.
Keywords: diabetic foot, health care system, evidence based
Co-ordinator:
Nicolaas Schaper
Academisch Ziekenhuis bij de Rijksuniversiteit Maastricht
Internal Medecine
P.Debyelaan 25 POB 5800
NL - 6229 HX Maastricht 6202 AZ
Netherlands
Tel: + 31433877019
Fax: + 31433875006
E-mail: nsc@sint.azm.nl
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Project number: QLG4-CT-2002-01681 Acronym: ROSE_EU
Contract signature: 9/09/2002
Area: 10.2
EC contribution: 558.000€
Duration: 24 months
Type: Combined Research and Technological Development and Demonstration Project
Teams/countries: A B D EL F NL NO S UK CA CH
Management of high risk opiate addicts in Europe (Risk Opiate Addicts Study Europe - ROSE)
Background of this study is that in spite of the big range of therapeutic
options for opiate addicts, there are major deficiencies in effective recruitment for
treatment and treatment effectiveness. An important group of opiate addicts is not
reached by therapeutic services and many of them are exposed to comparatively
high risks. Furthermore many addicts in treatment drop out prematurely.
Additionally many addicts in maintenance treatment continue to use illicit drugs.
Treatment strategies for this group of patients are not uniform or systematically
evaluated within Europe. The studys aim is to analyse these problems and to
evaluate treatment programmes to meet the needs of high-risk addicts with the
goal of developing recommendations as well as guidelines for standards in
management of these high risk addicts. For this, an extensive empirical stocktaking is carried out in 5 European cities.
Keywords: opiate addicts, high-risk patient, support need
Co-ordinator:
Michael Krausz
Zentrum fuer Interdisziplinaere Suchtforrschung der Universitaet Hamburg
Universitaetsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf
Martinistr. 52
D - 20246 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: + 4940428034221
Fax: + 4940428035121
E-mail: krausz@uke.uni-hamburg.de
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Area 11: Research Relating to Persons with
Disabilities
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276
Project number: QLG5-1999-01042
Acronym: MHEDEA-2000
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 11.1.
EU contribution: 1.606.422 €
Duration: 24 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2E I NL UK
Mental health disability: a European assessment in the year 2000
Data on disability burden of mental disorders in Europe are incomplete
and lack comparability. The project will: a) estimate the prevalence and risk
factors of mental disorders, b) assess their impact on disability and handicap and
c) evaluate the utilisation of mental health services in 4 European countries.
Representative samples (n=6000 per country) will be assessed with standardised,
cross-culturally appropriate instruments. Co-ordinated analyses and rigorous
quality control will ensure validity and comparability of results. Informative
differences in prevalence rates and associated risk factors of mental disorders are
expected. After adjustment, sizeable differences between countries in utilisation
patterns of mental health services and level of unmet need for care are expected.
After dissemination to relevant audiences in Europe, results will improve
monitoring of mental health reforms and provide new research hypotheses.
Keywords: disability, quality of life, mental health care
Co-ordinator:
Alonso Jordi
Institut Municipal D'assistencia Sanitaria
Institut Municipal D'investigacio Medica
Carrer Del Doctor Aiguader, 80
E - 08003 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: +34-93 2211009
Fax: +34-93 2213237
E-mail: jalonso@imim.es
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Project number: QLG5-2000-00716
Acronym: DISABKIDS-QOL
Contract signature: 7/12/2000
Area: 11.1.
EU contribution: 1.551.829 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: A 2D EL F NL S UK
Quality of life in children and adolescents with disabilities and their families assessing patient views and patient needs for comprehensive care
The current study aims at developing and testing methods that can be used
in European countries to assess the quality of life of children with disabilities and
their families, focussing on the development of health condition specific
assessments. This is deemed necessary to identify needs and evaluate
interventions with regards to those needs on a national and a European level. The
project will develop a modular assessment instrument for children/adolescents
suffering from asthma, severe spinal cord affections and one of the following
conditions: epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis and skin diseases. This instrument will be
tested in 1.260 children and will be examined for implementation in clinical
settings. It is expected that the availability of this tool will help patients to express
their views and needs for care and will guide care givers in planning, improving
and evaluating their care.
Keywords: patient needs, children with disabilities, modular assessment
Co-ordinator:
Monika Bullinger
University of Hamburg
Department of Medical Psychology
Martinistrasse 52
D - 20246 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: +49-40 428036430
Fax: +49-40 428034940
E-mail: bullinger@uke.uni-hamburg.de
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278
Project number: QLG5-2000-00846
Contract signature: 23/11/2000
EU contribution: 461.950 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A DK 6F 2I PL S UK
Acronym: CHAD-EMSCOT
Area: 11.1.
Duration: 36 month
Childhood health and development - European multicentre study on congenital
toxoplasmosis
Up to 1 in every 1000 children is born with congenital toxoplasmosis but
information is lacking on the effect of the disease and prenatal treatment for
toxoplasmosis on the child's ability to function and learn. The study involves the
assessment, by parent-completed questionnaire, of disability, developmental
impairment, behaviour problems and parental anxiety in a cohort of 1278 three
year olds born to toxoplasma infected women. Protocols will be developed for
further assessments at age 6 years. Comparisons of infected and uninfected
children will allow estimation of the effects of congenital toxoplasmosis and
prenatal treatment on adverse developmental outcomes. The findings will have
implications for parent counselling, education and psychological needs of infected
children and for screening policies.
Keywords: childhood health, congenital toxoplasmosis, prenatal treatment
Co-ordinator:
Ruth Gilbert
University of London corporated by Royal Charter
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford Street
UK – London WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7905 2101
Fax: +44 20 7242 2723
E-mail: r.gilbert@ich.ucl.ac.uk
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279
Project number: QLG5-2000-01372
Acronym: SENS
Contract signature: 27/11/2000
Area: 11.3.
EU contribution: 1.999.847 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 3B DK 3UK
Smart electrode for nerve sensing
Neuroprostheses, for rehabilitation of basic neurological functions in
persons with spinal cord injury, should be improved by the use of feedback
signals. International neuroprosthesis research centres propose to design an
efficient sensing system using natural sensory signals. Compared to existing
recording nerve electrodes, the SENS smart electrode will improve signal-to-noise
ratio and selectivity. Indeed, it will take advantage of the spiral cuff nerve
electrode and include a multicontact thin conductive film. Recorded signals will
be amplified, digitised and multiplexed using an encapsulated ASIC directly
installed on the nerve electrode. An implanted monitoring unit will process the
multiplexed signals coming from 2 to 4 smart electrodes. Through a trancutaneous
link, it will communicate with and be supplied by an external interface located
outside the skin. The fully-validated SENS system would then be used in closedloop neuroprostheses.
Keywords: neuroprostheses, spiral cuff nerve electrode, conductive film
Co-ordinator:
Claude Veraart
Université Catholique de Louvain
Neural Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory
Av Hippocrate 54
B - 1200 BRUSSELS
Belgium
Tel: +32-2 7645519
Fax: +32-2 7649422
E-mail: veraart@gren.ucl.ac.be
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280
Project number: QLG5-2000-01613
Acronym: AHEAD II
Contract signature: 31/08/2000
Area: 11.1.
EU contribution: 515.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 2A 2B 2CZ 7D 5DK 7E 2EL 4F 2FIN 2HU 6I 4IL L LT LV
3NL 3NO 2P 3PL RO 3S SI 10UK CH RU 2TR 5US
Advancement of HEaring Assessment methods and Devices - immediate
intervention
Within the past 3-4 years, scientists and clinicians have demonstrated the
feasibility, reliability and effectiveness of early detection of infants with hearing
loss through universal new-born hearing screening (UNHS) based on otoacoustic
emissions (OAEs). OAE technology has been entirely developed in the EU also as
a result of previous EU projects (Biomediclne & Health). UNHS is becoming a
standard of care in the most advanced maternity clinics. OAEs are produced by
the outer hair cells. They contain contractile proteins, play a crucial role in
peripheral coding under the control of higher neural centres and are essential to
normal cochlear function. Absence or alterations of OAEs is the method to assess
even mild peripheral hearing losses. These technologies were entirely developed
in Europe and are being applied by European manufacturers who still maintain the
technical leadership in the field (with a share of almost 90% of the whole market).
Keywords: universal newborn hearing screening, otoacoustic emission,
contractile proteins
Co-ordinator:
Ferdinando Grandori
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Centro di Ingegneria Biomedica
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32
I - I-201333 Milano
Italy
Tel: +39-02 23993345
Fax: +39-02 23993367
E-mail: grandori@biomed.polimi.it
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281
Project number: QLG5-CT-2001-00818
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
EC contribution: 502.331 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B D 2I IL NL 4UK CH
Acronym: SPASM
Area: 11.2
Duration: 36 months
Support programme for assembly of database for spasticity measurement
(SPASM)
The overall objective of the proposed Thematic Network is to establish
best practice in the clinical measurement of spasticity based on current knowledge
and research in Europe. This is achieved by the establishment of an
Interdisciplinary Research Group at the European Level. The activities will
consist of a review of current practice, leading to proposals and agreements of
Clinical Assessment Scales, Biomechanical and Neurophysiological measurement
methodologies and protocols. A programme of research exchanges will enable
achievement of common standards and protocols. Finally, an International
conference will disseminate the results of the study.
Keywords: spasticity, measurement, disability
Co-ordinator:
Garth Johnson
Centre for Rehabilitation and Engineering Studies (CREST)
University of Newcastle
Stephenson Building
UK - Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441912226196
Fax: + 441912228600
E-mail: g.r.johnson@ncl.ac.uk
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282
Project number: QLG5-CT-2001-00822 Acronym: REBEC
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 11.1
EC contribution: 1.993.712 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D DK NL UK CH
(RE) storation of (B) ladder function by n (E) uroprostheti (C) s
Over 85% of all patients with traumatic spinal cord lesions suffer from neurogenic
incontinence. This disability is a dismal condition that invariably leads to a
poor quality of life. Neuromodulation can be a beneficial treatment option in these
patients. Investigations on the effectivity of selective, conditional and external
neuromodulation are performed. Clinical, scientific and engineering tasks will
handle selective, conditional and external neuromodulation and lead to a
multichannel stimulator and also optimized stimulation parameters. The objective
is a complete neuromodulation device for implantation as well as improved
neuromodulation techniques and surgical procedures. Knowledge on
neurophysiological staging in this patient group is acquired to ensure optimum
patient selection for this type of treatment. The developed techniques will ensure
the rapid rehabilitation of these disabled patients.
Keywords: neuromodulation, bladder function, restoration
Co-ordinator:
Klaus-Peter Juenemann
Universitaet Heidelberg
Urologische Klinik - Klinikum Mannheim G mbH
Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3
D - 68135 Mannheim
Germany
Tel: + 496213833118
Fax: + 49621377274
E-mail: klaus-peter.juenemann@uro.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
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283
Project number: QLG5-CT-2001-01045
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
EC contribution: 939.168 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 2D NL NO 5UK
Acronym: COMSKILLS
Area: 11.4
Duration: 36 months
Developing community living skills in offender groups: a thematic network
study
This project involves parallel, complementary interventions in three EU
countries and an associate country (Germany, The Netherlands, the United
Kingdom, and Norway). It aims to introduce and develop a unified approach to
assessment of social risk and related behaviours in offender groups in the EU. It
involves parallel assessment of offenders in psychiatric care in each country,
using an innovative profiling battery (the BSI) with other validators. The method
will allow systematic cross-border studies of offenders and continuous monitoring
of their responses to rehabilitative therapy. It uses multilingual formats suitable
for use by many EU partners to develop individual 'profiles' for offenders, which
can accompany them in their subsequent treatment careers. Important elements of
the project are improvement of carer assessments; development of offender
profiles; related care planning and delivery; and studies of the change process.
Keywords: offender group, social risk, profiling battery
Co-ordinator:
Valentine Reed
Sheffield Hallam University
Centre for Health and Social Care Research
Collegiate Crescent Campus
UK - Sheffield S10 2BP
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441142683653
Fax: + 441142252430
E-mail: vreed52@aol.com
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284
Project number: QLG5-CT-2002-01938 Acronym: MECCA
Contract signature: 25/04/2002
Area: 11.2
EC contribution: 1.199.638 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E NL S 2UK CH
Towards more effective European community care for patients with severe
psychosis
In Europe, over 3 million people with severe psychosis receive treatment
in local communities. Community care appears viable and overall effective but it
fails a significant number of patients who are non-compliant and have a low
quality of life. This project aims to make community care in different European
health care systems more effective. It will create a critical mass by bringing
together complementary European expertise in research and clinical practice from
psychology, psychiatry and sociology. This scientific group will develop a new
intervention to consistently assess patients views of quality of life, needs and
treatment, and feed them back into treatment for adjusting treatment decisions in a
partnership model of care. Its hypothesised effects on quality of life (higher) and
costs of care (lower) are tested in a randomised controlled trial ensuring crossborder replication in 6 European countries.
Keywords: community care, severe psychosis, quality of life
Co-ordinator:
Stefan Priebe
Queen Mary and Westfield College
Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry
East Ham Memorial Hospital
UK - London E7 8QR
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442085865049
Fax: + 442085865273
E-mail: s.priebe@qmw.ac.uk
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285
Project number: QLG5-CT-2001-01971 Acronym: OLP
Contract signature: 4/12/2001
Area: 11.3
EC contribution: 1.366.902 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E 3EL F S UK
Ortho-logo-paedia
An integrated computer-based system (OLP) is proposed to supplement
conventional therapy for persons with speech disorders. OLP will provide realtime visual feedback to help improve articulation, and automatic speech
recognition to valuate this improvement and to provide an interface to assistive
technology and/or speech synthesis. Through the Internet, OLP will allow therapy
to be conducted off-site. Both the form of the feedback and the recognition
component are specifically tailored to a client group or to an individual. OLP will
provide interfaces that will allow the therapist or the client to effect this
customisation. Databases of disordered speech, therapy needs and protocols are
established to support application of the project components. OLP are evaluated
from the viewpoints of the both the clients and the therapists who use it.
Keywords: ortho-logo-paedia, speech disorder, database
Co-ordinator:
Athanassios Protopapas
Institute for Language and Speech Processing
Artemidos 6 & Epidavrou
EL - GR-15125 Maroussi
Greece
Tel: + 3016875409
Fax: + 3016854270
E-mail: protopap@ilsp.gr
__________________________________________________________________
286
Project number: QLG5-CT-2001-02150
Contract signature: 9/11/2001
EC contribution: 1.170.111 €
Type: Demonstration Project
Teams/countries: D F 2I IL
Acronym: MINOSC
Area: 11.3
Duration: 36 months
Microneuroendoscopy of spinal cord
Many disabled persons are suffering from spinal cord lesions of different
origins (traumas, tumors, degenerative diseases, congenital malformations). The
neuromieloscopy intends to visualize directly the lesions by a special flexible
microendoscope and to do some specific operations using associated equipment
(laser, electrostimulation, hydrodissections, local drug injection). The navigation
and position control of the microendoscope within the meningeal space are fully
safe thanks to an intelligent guiding procedure and a collision-avoidance principle
based on the fluidic hydrostatic and hydrodynamic action.
Keywords: spinal cord, microendoscopy, meningeal space
Co-ordinator:
Paolo Dario
Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento Sant ' Anna
Mitech lab.
Via G. Carducci, 40
I - 56127 Pisa
Italy
Tel: + 39050883401
Fax: + 39050883402
E-mail: dario@mail-arts.sssup.it
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287
Project number: QLG5-CT-2001-02191 Acronym: RISE
Contract signature: 30/10/2001
Area: 11.3
EC contribution: 1.749.491 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 4A 3D I SI UK
Use of electrical stimulation to restore standing in paraplegics with longterm
denervated degenerated muscles (DDM)
A novel clinical rehabilitation method for patients suffering from longterm
flaccid paraplegia (denervated degenerated muscles - DDM) with no chance of
recovery of the nervous system, is developed. It will restore their muscle fibres
(and mass), muscle function (tetanic contractions, weight bearing) and thus their
ability to rise ( 'standing up' ) and maintain a standing posture ( 'standing' ). Based
on the results of animal experiments on rabbit and pig and initial clinical trials the
associated technology is developed and an application for modification of EUstandards is planned. It will provide European industry with a novel product. The
method addresses the needs of about 100 patients per million EU inhabitants.
Keywords: paraplegia, denervated degenerated muscle, clinical rehabilitation
Co-ordinator:
Winfried Mayr
University of Vienna, Medical School
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics
Waehringerguertel 18-20 Ebene 4L
A - 1090 Wien
Austria
Tel: + 431404001982
Fax: + 431404003988
E-mail: w.mayr@bmtp.akh-wien.ac.at
__________________________________________________________________
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Project number: QLG5-CT-2002-00636 Acronym: PARTICIP-CP
Contract signature: 11/09/2002
Area: 11.1
EC contribution: 1.354.045 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK 2F I IRL S 2UK
The influence of environmental factors on the participation and quality of life
of 8-12 year old children with cerebral palsy in 6 eu countries
Cerebral palsy is the commonest cause of physical impairment in childhood
and associated with cognitive and sensory impairments. It occurs in 1 in 500 births, or
10,000 new cases a year in the EU.Average life expectancy is at least 40 years.
Children with cerebral palsy continue to be seriously disadvantaged with
respect to social relationships, education and employment prospects. A collaboration
of 14 cerebral palsy registers, funded by the EU, has already registered 6500 children
and standardised the identification and assessment of children (including severity of
impairment). In children with stable impairments (as compared to children with
illness), the two key outcomes of Participation and Quality of Life are especially
influenced by physical, social and attitudinal Environmental Factors (EFs) as well as
medical interventions. Our principal hypothesis is that children with similar severity
of impairment will experience variable outcomes in different countries due to
variation in EFs. This will allow the identification of EFs which, if improved, will
yield the greatest benefits for children and their families. Such knowledge will inform
EU policy in the health, educational and social sectors and generate protocols to
optimise outcomes. It is a further hypothesis, testable in a subsequent study, that
successful management of these EFs will have long-term.
Keywords: participation, quality of life, cerebral plasy
Co-ordinator:
Allan Colver
University of Newcastle
Department of Child Health
13 Walker Terrace
UK - Gateshead NE8 3EB
United Kingdom
Tel: + 4401914776000
Fax: + 4401914770370
E-mail: allan.colver@ncl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
289
Project number: QLG5-CT-2002-00683 Acronym: EQOLISE
Contract signature: 17/09/2002
Area: 11.3
EC contribution: 1.351.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: BG D I NL 3UK CH
Enhancing the quality of life and independence of persons disabled by severe
mental illness through supported employment
The project will test an innovative intervention which aims to enhance the
quality of life and independence of persons disabled by severe mental illness by
directly placing and supporting them in competitive (as opposed to sheltered)
employment. It will test a particular intervention, Individual Placement and
Support (IPS), against standard rehabilitation and vocational services in six
European states through a randomised controlled trial. The impact of returning to
work on participants' quality of life, clinical well being and social functioning are
tested, as will the cost implications of the intervention. Discovered interstate
differences will be related to the employment and welfare legislation in each
country.
Keywords: supported employment, severe mental illnes, vocational rehabilitation
Co-ordinator:
Tom Burns
St Georges Hospital Medical School
Department of Psychiatry
Jenner Wing, Cranmer Terrace
UK - London SW17
United Kingdom
Tel: + 02087255547
E-mail: tburns@sghms.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
290
Project number: QLG5-CT-2002-00893 Acronym: CARED
Contract signature: 4/09/2002
Area: 11.3
EC contribution: 1.560.029 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D 2EL 4I PL SI 2UK CA
Computer aided rehabilitation of respiratory disabilities
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic asthma cause chronic
airflow limitation (CAL) which is a leading worldwide cause of disability due to
inability to exercise and carry out daily activities. This severely compromises
quality of life. Objectives: a) to determine the pathophysiological mechanisms
limiting exercise in each patient by developing more precise diagnostic tests; b) to
design rehabilitation programs Customized for each patient to improve exercise
performance and, thereby, quality of life; c) to evaluate other pharmacologic and
surgical treatments; d) to define criteria for selecting optimal settings of
mechanical ventilators e) to optimize weaning procedures for CAL patients being
mechanically ventilated; f) to disseminate results by linking with CAL patients',
associations; g) to transfer technology developed by our research to European
industries.
Keywords: COPD, rehabilitation, plethysmography
Co-ordinator:
Antonio Pedotti
Politecnico di Milano
Dipartimento di Bioingegneria
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32
I - 20133 Milano
Italy
Tel: + 390223993354
Fax: + 390223993310
E-mail: pedotti@biomed.polimi.it
__________________________________________________________________
291
Project number:
under negotiation
Acronym: THRIVE
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 11.4
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2B 4I UK
Tele-rehabilitation through interactive video endorsement
THRIVE uses current ICT to improve the level of care provided to spinal
cord injured patients and allows them to return to their family settings without
compromising the quality of treatment they receive. It brings specialised
rehabilitation facilities nearer the patient's home. This may mean an earlier
discharge or closer follow-up care in close collaboration between the specialised
multi-disciplinary team at the centres and patients, caregivers and homecare staffs.
This approach to rehabilitation (tele-rehabilitation) is evaluated in three countries,
Belgium, Italy and the UK which represent both public and liberal medicine care
systems. Tele-rehabilitation impact is measured in terms of quality of care,
patient's quality of life and satisfaction (including relatives/caregivers) and
economics. Tele-rehabilitation protocols will be specified, validated and
submitted to the competent authorities for accreditation.
Keywords: rehabilitation, quality of life, quality of care
Co-ordinator:
Marco d'Angelantonio
Health Information Management S.A.
Rue Hobbema 33
B - 1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: + (32-2)7349080
Fax: + (32-2)7351240
E-mail: mdange@attglobal.net
__________________________________________________________________
292
Project number: QLG5-CT-2002-01637 Acronym: ISLANDS
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 11.4
EC contribution: 1.279.355 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: CZ 3E 4EL F IRL NL CH
Integrated system for long distance psychiatric assistance and non-conventional
distributed health services
ISLANDS aims to develop services to provide modular, non-conventional,
remote psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assistance for remote areas. The
services will include diagnostic, counseling and therapeutic services for patients
(suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders, agoraphobia or other phobias,
depression or problems of alcohol abuse and concurrent violence in families),
their families and local medical doctors. These services are remotely offered,
through the use of innovative computerized tools (i.e. assessment and training
tools, relevant cases database, service application expert tool) and a modular,
reliable, secure and cost-efficient communication and service delivery platform.
By these means the quality of life of the users, the quality of mental health care
and the economic strength of the region will improve, while inequalities in health
care services among European regions will be smoothened.
Keywords: telepsychiatry, remote support, psychological
Co-ordinator:
Maria Teresa Arredondo Waldmeyer
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid
Tecnologia Fotonica
Ciudad Universitaria s/n
E - 28040 Madrid
Spain
Tel: + 34915495700
Fax: + 34913366828
E-mail: mta@gbt.tfo.upm.es
__________________________________________________________________
293
294
Area 12. Biomedical Ethics and Bioethics
295
296
Project number: QLG6-1999-00353
Acronym: TEMPE
Contract signature: 19/01/2000
Area: 12.3.
EU contribution: 603.682 €
Duration: 24 month
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D EL FIN I IRL NL UK
Teaching ethics: materials for practitioner education
The TEMPE project responds to ongoing needs for European biomedical
ethics practitioner education. It builds on a successful BIOMED 2 project
(EBEPE) which created seven interactive, cased based training workbooks from a
series of international multidisciplinary workshops. Representing European core
consensus on problem based methods of teaching the EBEPE materials will be
further evaluated and disseminated. Value will be added by the creation of three
new workbooks in reproductive ethics, genetics and research ethics, with a
training video, electronic database and website. Subsidiarity is respected by
devolving production of the three workshops and co-ordination of nine of the
eleven conferences to the six associate partners, backed up by the open learning
expertise of the lead partner. The TEMPE workshops will help create and support
pan-European networks of ethical expertise; but in addition they will result in a
lasting, novel resource for teaching ethics which can be adapted to suit national
training needs. Target user groups are actively involved in producing the TEMPE
workbooks, ensuring that those needs will be identified accurately.
Keywords: practitioner education, biomedical ethics, training needs
Co-ordinator:
Donna Dickenson
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Medical Ethics Unit
Norfolk Place
UK – London W2 1PG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-171-594-3359
Fax: +44-171-706-8426
E-mail: d.dickenson@ic.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
297
Project number: QLG6-1999-00517
Acronym: EMPIRE
Contract signature: 29/12/1999
Area: 12.4.
EU contribution: 510.625 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2DK F FIN 2I IL NO 2UK
Empirical methods in bioethics
Bioethical principles or arguments often rely on empirical premises. There
as been an increasing number of research studies in this area ("empirical
bioethics"). The objectives of this project are to provide a comprehensive account
of the problems concerning this area of bioethics methodology and to give an indepth analysis of their possible solutions. The project will focus on: 1) How
empirical bioethics can inform concepts of European and universal ethical
standards, 2) how empirical bioethics is relevant to public policy concerning
health care and biotechnology, 3) what specific research methodologies are most
successful and appropriate to empirical bioethics and 4) what kind of empirical
bioethics is most relevant to decisions about regulation of new technologies (e.g.
in national ethics committees). The research group includes bioethicists,
philosophers, doctors, social scientists and members of regulatory bodies.
Keywords: bioethics, law, public policies
Co-ordinator:
Soeren Holm
Victoria University of Manchester
Institute of Medicine, Law and Bioethics
Oxford Road, Williamson Building
UK – Manchester M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-161-2757014
Fax: +44-161-275-3473
E-mail: soren.holm@man.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
298
Project number: QLG6-1999-00554
Acronym: RATIONING
Contract signature: 4/02/2000
Area: 12.3.
EU contribution: 190.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E F FIN P UK
Rationing of medical services in Europe: an empirical study
Considering the limited financial means, which are available for health
care, rationing in health care is unavoidable. This is the case for all European
countries. The economical terminus of rationing describes the limitation of goods
distribution and services in view of insufficient funds. In the field of provision,
health care services rationing is a very sensitive issue as it can imply excluding
patients from life saving measures. In a European study the following will be
investigated: a) how rationing is nationally perceived by different population
groups (with doctors, patients, insurance/administration) and by the population in
general. b) what forms of rationing take place: open or discrete. c) how the
decision process functions (e.g. who participates in the decision findings). d) how
the different population and occupational groups estimate the possibilities, form
and also limits of rationing in the near future.
Keywords: rationing, population survey, decision process
Co-ordinator:
J.-Matthias Graf von der Schulenburg
Universität Hannover Forschungsstelle
Königsworther Platz 1
D - 30167 Hannover
Germany
Tel: +49-511-762-5083
Fax: +49-511-762-5081
E-mail: fgg@uni-hannover.de
jms@ivbl.uni-hannover.de
__________________________________________________________________
299
Project number: QLG6-1999-00933
Acronym: ETHICATT 25.05.99
Contract signature: 2/02/2000
Area: 12.3.
EU contribution: 700.000 €
Duration: 44 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: B DK F I 3IL NL S UK
Systematic study of general ethical principles involved in end-of-life decisions
for patients in European intensive care units
End-of-life decisions with profound ethical implications complicate
medical decision making in intensive care units (ICU), trouble patients and
families and challenge public authorities. There is an urgent need for more
transparency and a Europe-wide harmonisation of standards. This project will
compile empirical data on current end-of-life decisions and their ethical
background in ICUs throughout Europe. The data will be compiled by ICU staff
in 16 countries organised in 5 European regions, using a questionnaire developed
and validated during the project. The empirical data will be analysed to construct
a multi-actor cross-cultural social map that provides a taxonomy of the ethical
values of the actors involved. The analysis will include a sociological correlation
study and a standard statistical analysis. Empirical data and analysis will be used
to initiate a consensus building process amongst European ICU professionals and
to develop recommendations for policy makers. The work will be performed by a
consortium of ICUs and analysts specialised in ethics, law and sociology of
medicine.
Keywords: biomedical ethics, end-of-life, public policy
Co-ordinator:
Charles Sprung
Hadassah Medical Organization
Departmentof Anesthesiology and Critical care medicine
PO Box 12000
IL - 91120 Jerusalem
Israel
Tel: +972-2-6777-111
Fax: +972-2-643-0349
E-mail: sprung@cc.huji.ac.il
__________________________________________________________________
300
Project number: QLG6-1999-00957
Contract signature: 3/02/2000
EU contribution: 307.184 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B FIN I NO
Acronym: CTC-ETHICS
Area: 12.2.
Duration: 36 month
Ethical issues in clinical trial collaborations with developing countries
The overall aims of the project are: To identify the most important
controversial issues in clinical trial collaborations with developing countries; to
propose solutions to these issues which can be used by researchers regulators and
policy makers. This will be done through a collaboration between four partners
from Belgium, Finland, Italy and Norway and two sub-contractors in Uganda and
the Philippines. Between them, the collaborators have expertise in normative
ethics, clinical trials in developing countries, development of research ethics
guidelines and social science research.
Keywords: research ethics, developing countries, ethics committees
Co-ordinator:
Reider Krummradt Lie
University of Bergen
Department of Philosophy
Sydnesplassen 7
NO - 5007 Bergen
Norway
Tel: +47-55-58-24-37
Fax: +47-55-58-96-51
E-mail: reidar.lie@fil.uib.no
__________________________________________________________________
301
Project number: QLRT-2000-00119
Contract signature: 26/09/2000
EU contribution: 504.123 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A 5B 5F UK
Acronym: Mobile Team Mediation
Area: 12.3.
Duration: 36 month
Promoting the integration of continuous care in the hospital the palliative care
mobile support team as a means to convey a philosophy of integrated and
continuous care. Analysing medical practice and research in new integration
strategies
The present tendency in Europe is to promote the creation of mobile
support teams in Palliative Care instead of residential palliative care units.
Through the experience of the mobile support teams who are confronted with the
full range of convictions held by persons in a hospital setting, the concept of
Palliative Care/Terminal Care has been reinforced/strengthened/enhanced by the
Continuous Care approach, which tends to articulate curative and palliative
procedures rather than setting one form of therapy against the other. The project is
directed towards lnter-and Pluri-disciplinary research among clinicians
(responsible for mobile support teams), scientific experts (university institutes)
and external consultants The aim is to clarify pedagogic training strategies in
communication and ethics mediation in order to promote the integration of
Continuous care for chronically ill patients in hospitals. Starting from an
evaluation of the present situation, the strong and weak points of the in-hospital
mobile support team model we shall then proceed to study alternatives in intercollegial and ethics mediation. We aim to translate our experiences in the field
into guiding principles for future mobile support teams that will start up in
Europe.
Keywords: continuous care, palliative care/terminal care, mobile support teams
Co-ordinator:
Catherine Markstein
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann
Cellule de Soins Continus et Palliatifs
Place A. Vangehuchten 4
B - 1020 Bruxelles
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 736 51 01
Fax: +32 2 477 21 61
E-mail: catherine.markstein@chu-brugmann.be
__________________________________________________________________
302
Project number: QLG6-2000-00859
Acronym: End-of-Life Decisions
Contract signature: 21/09/2000
Area: 12.3.
EU contribution: 1.523.018 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2B DK I 3NL S CH
Medical end-of-live decisions: attitudes and practices in 6 European countries
Advances in medical technology and the emphasis in modern society on
patient autonomy have, among other factors, increased the scientific and social
debate on the role of medicine at the end-of-life. In this project, the incidence,
characteristics and attitudes concerning end-of-life decision-making will be
assessed in 6 European countries in two surveys. The first involves the medical
decision making that preceded a random sample of death cases, the second
involves experiences and attitudes of a random sample of general practitioners
and other physicians frequently confronted with death. The data will be analysed
in the light of differences in the health care systems and in cultural, socioeconomic and other characteristics. The results of this project will help
physicians, citizens and public health policy makers in Europe in developing
rational, evidence-based policies.
Keywords: end-of-life decisions, differences in health care, evidence-based
policies
Co-ordinator:
Paul J. Van der Maas
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Department of Public Health
PO Box 1738
NL - 3000 DR Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-10 4087714
Fax: +31-10 4089449
E-mail: vandermaas@mgz.fgg.eur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
303
Project number: QLG6-2000-00964
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
EU contribution: 388.975 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D I NL NO UK
Acronym: Evi Base
Area: 12.3.
Duration: 24 month
Ethical issues of evidence based practice in medicine and health care
In European health care systems one can notice an increase effort to base
decisions on the outcomes of empirical studies, particularly in respect with their
effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Instead of the so-called 'opinion-based'
decision-making, health care policy and clinical practice should become more
'evidence based' by the introduction of guidelines based on scientific studies.
Evidence based medicine (EBM) is seen as an important means to improve the
quality of medical care as well as to control costs and to allocate resources.
Though EBM is often seen as a rational and neutral process, ethical values and
assumptions (e.g. on the goals of treatment) play a hidden but decisive role. By
organising 5 workshops, the project wants to gather information on the ethical
issues that are involved in the efforts to rationalise medicine and health care on
the basis of empirical evidence. By an identification of the values and
assumptions and making them explicit, these values can be subjected to
professional and public debate. This debate will be stimulated by reports,
academic publication, a bibliography, a set of recommendations and expert
meetings.
Keywords: decision making, clinical practice, evidence based
Co-ordinator:
Ruud ter Meulen
Instituut voor Gezondheidsethiek
Universiteitssingel 50, PO Box 616
NL - 6200 MD Maastricht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 43 3882145
Fax: +31 43 3884171
E-mail: secretariaat@ige.unimaas.nl
__________________________________________________________________
304
Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00888 Acronym: DOE
Contract signature: 24/07/2001
Area: 12.1
EC contribution: 882.916 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E F IRL S SK 3UK
Dignity and older Europeans
Using philosophical and empirical methods, this study will clarify the
widely used but equivocal concept of Human Dignity to enable it to be applied to
the every day lives of older Europeans who are particularly vulnerable to the
denial of dignity. The project will draw directly on the experiences of older
people, health and social care professionals and members of the general public in
6 differing European countries, clarifying the cultural, linguistic, socio-economic,
political and biographical factors which influence the definition and expression of
human dignity. The study will make recommendations for a wide range of policy
formulation. Multi-disciplinary, cross-national educational materials will be
developed for initial and continuing education of health and social care
professionals as will a multi-lingual, interactive web-site to enable pan-European
participation and collaborations.
Keywords: human dignity, older people, vulnerability
Co-ordinator:
Winifred Tadd
University of Wales College of Medicine
Department of Geriatric Medicine
3rd Floor Academic Centre, Llandough Hospital
Penlan Road
UK - Cardiff CF64 2XX
United Kingdom
Tel: + 4402920716971
Fax: + 4402920704244
E-mail: taddw@cardiff.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
305
Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00945 Acronym: NURSES' CODES
Contract signature: 18/07/2001
Area: 12
EC contribution: 907.433 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B EL FIN I NL 2UK
Ethical codes in nursing: European perspectives on content and functioning
This study will make recommendations for harmonizing ethical standards
of professional behaviour in nursing on national and European levels. Using
philosophical analysis, value clarification methods and focus group methodology
it will analyse, clarify and describe the contents and functions of ethical codes for
nurses from six European countries. It will draw directly on the experiences and
opinions of users of ethical codes and key persons, clarifying practical, ethical,
deontological and disciplinary aspects and cultural and inter-country variations.
Keywords: ethical codes, nursing ethics, bioethics
Co-ordinator:
Arie Van Der Arend
Universiteit Maastricht
Capacity Group Care Sciences, Section Health Care, Ethics and Philosophy
Universiteitssingel 40, POB 616
NL - 6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
Tel: + 31433881124
Fax: + 31433670932
E-mail: a.vanderarend@zw.unimaas.nl
__________________________________________________________________
306
Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00028 Acronym: Anim,Al.See
Contract signature: 16/11/2001
Area: 12.2
EC contribution: 399.492 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2I 2NL UK
Alternative methods in animal experimentation: evaluating scientific, ethical
and social issues in the "3Rs" context
The main objective of the project is an assessment of the impact of the
recent development of alternative methods in animal research on the concept of
alternative in the "3Rs"model. The evaluation will be the result of interactions
between scientific and philosophical aspects: the reliability of the results obtained;
the welfare of animals; ethical and social acceptability; regulatory aspects. The
start of the project was an analysis of these aspects, to find relevant criteria for
their definition. The results will tried out on case studies, each relevant to a
particular "R". A special attention is paid to the difficulties in applying the definid
criteria for each aspect, and an effort is made to balance the different aspects in a
European perspective, to define new conceptual landmarks which may have an
impact on conflicts raising in the socio-economical context.
Keywords: alternative, animal experimentati, ethical/social evaluation
Co-ordinator:
Maria Flavia Zucco
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche
Via G.B. Morgani 30/e
I - 00161 ROMA
Italy
Tel: + 390686090245
Fax: + 390644230229
E-mail: zucco@itbm.rm.cnr.it
__________________________________________________________________
307
Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00037
Contract signature: 8/11/2001
EC contribution: 438.202 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D EL I NL S UK
Acronym: EPICC
Area: 12.3
Duration: 24 months
Eethicists and practitioners in collaboration on capacity.
EPICC responds to concerns in several European countries about
assessment of the capacity of cognitively-impaired people to consent to treatment.
The project aims to apply new edtical approaches to the assessent of decisionmaking capacity to three areas of mental health practice - old age psychiatry, child
and adolescent psychiatry and adult mental health care-taking three relevant
ethical approaches - narrative ethics, hermeneutic ethics and feminist ethics.
These approaches share a concern with situating the person in relationship, and
may offer alternatives to the individualistic, cognitive models of capacity which
have predominated. Through a series of five workshops, bringing together
practitioners with experts in ethics and law, the project will develop an inventory
of existing legal frameworks and instruments for capacity assessment and
'protocols for protocols' to aid mental healdt care professionals in making
responsible capacity assessments. The model of subsidiarity evolved for the
successful BIOMED-2 project EBEPE and utilised again for TEMPE of devolving
workshop co-ordination to associate partners, under guidance of a steering group,
are followed, further strengthening pan-European networks of ethical expertise.
Keywords: capacity, consent, assessment, ethics, law, frameworks
Co-ordinator:
Ruud Ter Meulen
Instituut voor Gezondheidsethiek
Universiteitssingel 40, POB 616
NL - 6200 MD MAASTRICHT
Netherlands
Tel: + 31433882145
Fax: + 31433884171
E-mail: secretariaat-ige@ige.unimaas.nl
__________________________________________________________________
308
Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00050
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
EC contribution: 369.000 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D DK NL UK
Acronym: Fiction,Science&Science Fiction
Area: 12.1
Duration: 36 months
Fiction, science and science fiction. the role of literature in public debates on
medical ethical issues and in the medical education.
Novels have deeply influenced their readers in thinking about all kinds of
ethical dilemmas regarding health care, illness and the physician-patient
relationship. The hypothesis underlying this proposal is that fiction (e.g. novels,
film) has an important role to play in professional reflection and public debate on
ethical problems in health care. Little systematic research into the role of fiction
has been done in the EC so far. A multidisciplinary approach will lead to valuable
results and, additionally, to an interesting network within the EC that can
stimulate this important way of looking at medical ethical problems.
Keywords: bioethics, literature, health care
Co-ordinator:
Inez De Beaufort
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Philosophy, Medical Ethics and History
Dr. Molewaterplein 50 POB 1738
NL - 3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
Tel: + 31104088145
Fax: + 31104089460
E-mail: debeaufort@feg.fgg.eur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
309
Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00056 Acronym: PRIVIREAL
Contract signature: 8/11/2001
Area: 12.3
EC contribution: 400.457 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A 2B 2D 2DK E 2EL 2F 3FIN 2I IRL 2NL NO P S 2UK
Implementation of the data protection directive in relation to medical research
and the role of ethics committees
Protection of privacy of subjects in medical research depends as much on
ethics review as on data protection law, but little is known about how this
interacts with implementation of Directive 95/46/EC to protect privacy.
PRIVIREAL brings together experts on relevant law and on ethics review of
medical research from across the EU and Norway to evaluate the interaction
between implementation of the Directive and research ethics review in protecting
Directive rights of research subjects, with a view to making recommendations to
the Commission about how to optimise protection provided by research ethics
review (taking into account the background EU and domestic legal and ethical
culture/s). A consultation is conducted, employing inter alia a web-site. There will
be 3 workshops, the proceedings of which will be published.
Keywords: privacy, research, review
Co-ordinator:
Deryck Beyleveld
The University of Sheffield
Law/Sheffield Institute of Biotechnological Law and Ethics (SIBLE)
Crookesmoor Building, Conduit Road
UK - Sheffield S10 1FL
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441142226716
Fax: + 441142226832
E-mail: d.beyleveld@sheffield.ac.uk
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Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00057 Acronym: EURETHNET
Contract signature: 26/11/2001
Area: 12.3
EC contribution: 1.121.600 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 2B 3D DK 2E 2F 2I 2NL S 3UK
European information network ethics in medicine and biotechnology
The Thematic Network will develop an information network and
knowledge base in the field of ethics in medicine and biotechnology. The network
is designed as a virtual unit of different databases constructed along common
database structures and a core thesaurus that allow for cross-searching and
comparative information research. It will make relevant sources and value-added
information on the field of ethics in biomedicine and biotechnology and related
legal sources available to academics, researchers, bioethical professionals,
decision-rnakers and consumers. The network will also ensure compatibility with
other international databases in Europe or beyond European borders. The
knowledge base can be accessed through a common internet portal. It shall
provide exhaustive, valid and reproducible bioethical information thus enabling
individuals and societies to better evaluate their options, pursue a balanced
dialogue, reach qualified decisions and adopt sustainable policies.
Keywords: information network, biomedicine, biotechnology
Co-ordinator:
Claudia Wiesemann
Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen Faculty of Medicine
Department of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine
Humboldtallee 36
D - 37073 Goettingen
Germany
Tel: + 49551399006
Fax: + 49551399554
E-mail: cwiesem@gwdg.de
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Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00062 Acronym: ELSAGEN
Contract signature: 19/11/2001
Area: 12.3
EC contribution: 909.100€
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2EE 2IS S 3UK
Ethical, legal and social aspects of human genetic databases. a European
comparison
The ELSAGEN project consists in * Providing knowledge of ETHICAL,
LEGAL and SOCIAL aspects of population-based HUMAN GENETIC
DATABASES, anticipating and addressing questions raised by recent
developments in genetics research. * Informing the SOCIAL DIALOGUE, raising
awareness and improving BIOETHICS EDUCATION in the countries where
human genetic databases are being constructed. * Consulting the public about
issues of PRIVACY of genetic and medical data, by conducting a SURVEY in the
four countries. * Composing ETHICAL GUIDELINES for human Genetic
Databases, informing decision and policy makers on national and European levels.
Keywords: databases, genetics, bioethics
Co-ordinator:
Eirikur Bergmann Einarsson
University of Iceland
Research Liaison Office
Dunhagi 5
IS - IS-107 Reykjavik
Iceland
Tel: + 3545254228
Fax: + 3545528801
E-mail: eirikur.bergmann@hi.is
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Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00063 Acronym: Euregenethy 2
Contract signature: 26/11/2001
Area: 12.4
EC contribution: 760.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: A 3D E 3F FIN 2I P S UK 2CH
European cooperation network to collect and disperse ethical, safety and
regulatory data in order to facilitate clinical implementation of gene transfer
technology (gene therapy)
In the rapidly moving area of gene therapy, fast adaptation to evolving
knowledge is essential in order to better define ethical and safety provisions. The
Euregenethy 2 will continue to focus on the ethical, safety and regulatory issues
related to clinical implementation of gene transfer technology in order to facilitate
and help harmonise it. Our current objectives are threefold: (i) fostering
interaction between regulators, scientists and industry; (ii) offering a potential for
a referral organisation following-up on evolving technologies; (iii) increase public
accountability. Means to achieve these goals are: (1) organisation of focused
meetings and maintaining sessions at ESGT; (2) publication of an annual
newsletter; (3) interactive web-page; (4) initiate safety and technology data-bases;
GT-products and cell biology (including stem cells); (5) clinical trials data-base
including a survey of successful trials.
Keywords: bioethics, clinical implementation, gene transfer technology
Co-ordinator:
Odile Cohen-Haguenauer
Institut Gustave Roussy
Direction de la Recherche Thérapeutique
39, avenue Camille Desmoulins
F - 94800 Villejuif
CEDEX 94805
France
Tel: + 33142069214
Fax: + 33142414256
E-mail: drt@igr.fr
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Project number: QLG6-CT-2001-00072 Acronym: EUROSTEM
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 12.1
EC contribution: 746.992 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E F I NL S 2UK
The ethics of human stem cell research and therapy in Europe
EUROSTEM will provide an ethical framework for stem cell research;
will monitor the ongoing "natural experiment" in the United Kingdom and other
countries with such research, and the regulatory and legal issues involved. The
need to analyse and understand the public response to this research is equally
important and this need is fully recognised and responded to. Human Stem Cell
Research is at the cutting edge of health and biosciences research, the innovative
science involved creates ethical dilemmas that have as yet been insufficiently
studied and poses challenges for our understanding of fundamental human values.
The use of human stem cells raises many issues, for example: the moral status of
the embryo, the consents required to use Embryonic Stem cells and other genetic
material, genetic privacy and ownership of genetic information. Some of these
issues concern the symbolic significance of what is done as opposed to utilitarian
accounts of the meaning of the procedures. The possibilities for copying, and
using a particular human genome via cloning technology have created
unprecedented issues concerning human dignity and rights which are fully
explored and analysed.
Keywords: stem cells, bioethics, regulation
Co-ordinator:
John Harris
University of Manchester
Institute of Medecine, Law and Bioethics
School of Law, Williamson Building, Oxford Road
UK - Manchester M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441612753414
Fax: + 441612753473
E-mail: john.m.harris@man.ac.uk
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314
Project number:
under negotiation
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B D E I 4UK 2CH TR
Acronym: EuroSOCAP
Area: 12.3
Duration: 36 months
The development of European standards on confidentiality and privacy in
healthcare among vulnerable patient populations
The requirements of an information society present a significant challenge
for privacy and confidentiality of personal information. The purpose of this
project is to confront and address these tensions with respect to the acquisition
and processing of healthcare information. Healthcare professionals require up-todate guidance on information sharing which is ethically and legally sound,
informs healthcare practice and has practical relevance for their daily work.The
aim of the project is to build a knowledge base, a set of standards and guidelines
which will inform professional practice throughout the healthcare sector of the
European Community, which harmonises with EU laws and which informs
existing policies and guidelines.
Keywords: privacy, confidentiality, personal information
Co-ordinator:
Roy McClelland
Queen's University Belfast
School of Medicine, Whitla Medical Building
97 Lisburn Road
UK - Belfast BT9 7BL
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44289035790
Fax: + 442890324543
E-mail: r.j.mcclelland@qub.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
315
Project number: QLG6-CT-2002-01796 Acronym: BIG
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 12.3
EC contribution: 741.800 €
Duration: 42 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: F 3I NO 2UK
Bioethical implications of globalisation processes
Bioethical implications of globalisation processes (Acronym: BIG) is a
previsional project that aims to anticipate the major reasons for bioethical concern
surrounding globalisation, to forecast future scenarios and to formulate new
policy options in this field. The project' s purpose is both to raise short-term,
tactical considerations and to provide a longer-term, strategic perspective. The
project will achieve its aim by convening expert meetings and developing a
number of rounds of Delphi questionnaires. A high-level seminar involving a
selected audience of EU policy-makers will conclude the study.
Keywords: globalisation, bioethics, public health
Co-ordinator:
Emilio Mordini
Instituto Psicoanalitico per le Ricerche Sociali
Passeggiata di Ripetta, 11
I - 0186 ROMA
Italy
Tel: + 390632652401
Fax: + 390632652433
E-mail: emilio.mordini@iprs.it
__________________________________________________________________
316
Project number:
under negotiation
Acronym: ETEDIN
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 12.3
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B EL FIN I NL PL 2UK
Ethics education in nursing: content and approaches in Europe
Research of ethics education for nurses in Europe on national and
international levels is poor. This project will contribute to research, discussions
and policies about the current and future content and approaches of ethics
education for nurses in Europe. The project is aimed at establishing national and
European standards for ethics education in the nursing professions by identifying,
clarifying and analysing the moral values and approaches underlying current
ethics curricula in nursing courses from seven European countries and by
exploring their relevance to nursing practice and administration. It will draw
directly on the experiences and opinions of nurses, teachers and experts. The
approach is a combination of philosophical reflection and empirical focus group
methodology. The information and results are discussed during workshops,
translated into recommendations, and disseminated among other parties.
Keywords: ethics, education, nursing
Co-ordinator:
Arie Van Der Arend
Universiteit Maastricht
Capacity Group Care Sciences, Section Health Care
Ethics and Philosophy
Universiteitssingel 40
NL - 6229 ER Maastricht
Netherlands
Tel: + 31433881124
Fax: + 31433670932
E-mail: a.vanderarend@zw.unimaas.nl
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317
Project number:
under negotiation
Acronym: EuroPHEN
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 12.3
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A B D DK E EL 2FIN I IRL 3NL PL S 3UK CA US
Public policies, law and bioethics : a framework for producing public health
policy across the European Union by examining concepts of European and
universal ethical guidelines
Under the Treaty on European Union, the European Community was given
a competence in public health. Article 3(o) establishes a broad aim of making "a
contribution to the attainment of a high level of health protection" EuroPHEN
aims to assist European Institutions in the development of public health by
producing an explicit ethical framework for public health. The project will
compare and contrast approaches in public health in Member States and document
specific public helth priorities and priorities. Various ethical theories, concepts
and traditions are applied to the practice of public health. Empirical research will
collect the values of European Citizens assessing attitudes to public versus private
interest and on public health interventions at a National and European level. Six
focus groups are held in each Member States within the European Union plus
Poland. Groups are classified according to the age, life stage, gender and socioeconomic groups of participants.
Keywords: public health policy, ethical theories
Co-ordinator:
Darren Shickle
University of Sheffield
School of Health and Related Research
Regent Court, 30 Regent Street
UK - Sheffield S1 4DA
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441142220818
Fax: + 441142220791
E-mail: d.shickle@sheffield.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
318
Project number:
under negotiation
Acronym: Ethical Bio-TA Tools
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 12
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK 2NL NO UK CH
The development of ethical bio-technology assessment tools for agriculture and
food production
The objective of this project is to develop and improve tools for the ethical
assessment of new technologies in agriculture and food production in general and
modern biotechnogies in particular. The project thus responds to the plurality of
consumer concerns that increasingly informs the European public debate on
agriculture and food production. The primary achievement of the project is the
availability of three ethical (bio)technology assessment tools (i.e. ethical decisionmaking frameworks, consensus conferences and benchmarking) to facilitate
opinion-formation and decision-making by governmental and non-governmental
regulators, citizens/consumers and their organisations, and economic actors in
agriculture and food production.
Keywords: ethics, biotechnology, methods
Co-ordinator:
Volkert Beekman
Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI b.v.)
Centre for Methodical Ethics and Technology Assessment (META)
Burgemeester Patijnlaan 19 POB 29703
NL - 2502 LS The Hague
Netherlands
Tel: + 31703358157
Fax: + 31703615624
E-mail: v.beekman@lei.wag-ur.nl
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319
320
Area 13: Socio-Economic Aspects of Life Sciences
and Technologies
321
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Project number: QLG7-1999-00286
Acronym: LSES
Contract signature: 18/01/2000
Area: 13.1.
EU contribution: 1.546.494 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2A 2D DK EL 2F FIN I 2NL NO P PL S 2UK CH
Life sciences in European society
The project research supports the European Community's continuing
monitoring of public perceptions of the life sciences through the "Eurobarometer"
survey. The next survey, proposed for 1999 (henceforth EB99), designed with
contributions from the present applicants, aims to preserve time series
comparability and incorporates new questions covering recent developments in
life sciences. The present project aims to provide: a report of the results of EB99,
together with the time series data; a European comparative analysis of the
representations of the life sciences in policy making, media coverage and public
perceptions; and a series of case study analyses of key dimensions of the public
debate about life sciences in the late will be disseminated in two new books, an
international conference and presentations at national and international meetings.
Keywords: public perception, Eurobarometer, life sciences
Co-ordinator:
John Durant
The National Museum of Science and Industry
Science Communication Division
Exhibition Road
UK – London SW7 2DD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-171-9388201
Fax: +44-171-9388213
E-mail: j.durant@nmsi.ac.uk
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323
Project number: QLG7-2000-01368
Acronym: SEFABAR
Contract signature: 14/11/2000
Area: 13.1.
EU contribution: 907.795 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B 8D 2DK EL 10F FIN 3I 2IRL 8NL 2NO 8UK
Sustainable European farm animal breeding and reproduction
Thematic network of scientists and industry, with critical society
involvement, on the sustainable future of farm animal breeding and reproduction
of cattle and small ruminants, pigs, poultry and fish to define sustainability in
breeding terms, integrate ongoing results, business efforts and the influence of
cultural differences, set out lines for the future and inform policy makers and
society organisations, politicians and press.
Keywords: animal breeding, cultural differences, policy makers
Co-ordinator:
Anne-Marie A. Neeteson
Farm Animal Industrial Platform
Benedendorpsweg 98
NL - 6862 WL Oosterbeek
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-26 3391538
Fax: +31-26 3391539
E-mail: neeteson@iaf.nl
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324
Project number: QLG7-CT-2001-01668 Acronym: PUG
Contract signature: 14/11/2001
Area: 13.1
EC contribution: 1.293.323 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: E 2F HU I LT NO UK
Public understanding of genetics: a cross-cultural and ethnographic study of
the 'new genetics' and social identity.
Recent developments in genetics have afforded a language and a means of
reconceptualising the origins and nature of social identity. It is argued that
European society is undergoing a process of geneticisation, whereby genetic
explanation is increasingly used to define significant social identities and
relationships of, for example, gender, kinship, race, sexuality and nationality. Yet
we know very little empirically about the way in which different European publics
make sense of the new genetics and its implications. This project aims to
investigate the way in which a range of publics, positioned differently vis a vis
genetics (as experts, lay people, professionals, patients etc.) and located
differently in terms of nation, understand the 'new genetics' and its social and
cultural implications. A series of specific case studies are augmented by historical
analysis and grounded in national legislative frameworks.
Keywords: genetics, culture, identity
Co-ordinator:
Jeanette Edwards
The Victoria University of Manchester
Department of social Anthropology
Roscoe Building Brunswick Street
UK - Manchester M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441613997
Fax: + 441613970
E-mail: jeanette.edwards@man.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
325
Project number: QLG7-CT-2001-01834
Contract signature: 13/11/2001
EC contribution: 204.827 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: D E I NO 3UK
Acronym: CIVICS Thematic Network
Area: 13
Duration: 9 months
Consultative institutions, values and information in a changing society
(Thematic Network)
The CIVICS Thematic Network will bring together partners to coordinate
the merging of sophisticated methodologies for analysing the social and
institutional dimensions and deliberative and inclusionary processes to be applied
to policy development in the EU. These methods are capable of accounting for
differences between institutions and national contexts. The Thematic Network
will also be used to search out relevant actors in. area of agricultural GMOs. The
partnerships formed, information and methodologies produced will be used to
develop a proposal for an RTD project that will apply these methods to the
agricultural GMO policy area.
Keywords: consultative institutions, policy development, agricultural GMO
Co-ordinator:
Clive Spash
The Cancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge
Cambridge Research for the Environment, Department of Land Economy
19 Silver St
UK – Cambridge CB3 9EP
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441223330802
Fax: + 441223337130
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326
Project number: QLG7-CT-2001-00034 Acronym: PEG
Contract signature: 01/01/2002
Area: 13
EC contribution: 547.639 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D DK E F NL UK
Precautionary expertise for GM crops
For GM crops in Europe, this project will analyse how current practicesregulatory measures, expert judgements and stakeholder roles-compare to
different accounts of the precautionary principle. These practices are studied at
EU level and in 7 member states. Users of the research are involved through an
advisory panel and scenario-analysis workshops. The project will build upon and
integrate earlier studies of public attitudes, risk regulation, precaution and
deliberation. Using the analytical results, the project will suggest how official
guidelines and expert bodies could be made more appropriate for addressing the
policy problems which the EU faces.
Keywords: GM crops, precaution, expertise
Co-ordinator:
David Wield
Open University
Centre for Technology Strategy
Walton Hall
UK - Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441908653672
Fax: + 441908654825
E-mail: d.v.wield@open.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
327
Project number: QLG7-CT-2001-00065 Acronym: MADO
Contract signature: 27/11/2001
Area: 13.1
EC contribution: 742.740 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 7F 2I 2NL UK
Optimisation of typing policies for European marrow donors Registries: socioeconomic evaluation of molecular techniques and recruitment strategies
Although 6 million potential donors are registered worldwide, finding a
donor compatible for allogeneic stern cell graft is hard because of HLA
polymorphism. MADO (Marrow Donors ) aims at evaluating optimisation of
Registries in Europe by increasing the proportion of donors with rare HLA types
to reduce inequality of patients in a cost/effective way. The main concept is an
evolving filter to screen potential donors at low cost before full HLA typing for
the likely presence of frequent types, using new markers and techniques.
Organisational scenarios wlll then be designed. MADO involves 9 WP over 2
years and 12 partners in EU countries : 4 European Registries, sociologists,
economists, public health unit, immunogenetics/molecular laboratories,
bioinformatics, industry. The overall expected achievement is a number of well
documented possible scenarios to help decision for organisation of coherent
strategies of Registry management
Keywords: donor registries, marrow graft, typing policies
Co-ordinator:
Anne Cambon-Thomsen
INSERM u 558
Epidemiology and Analyses in Public Health:
Risks, Chronic Diseases and Hadicaps
Allées Jules Guesde 37
F - 31073 Toulouse
France
Tel: + 33561145959
Fax: + 33562264240
E-mail: cambon@cict.fr
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328
Project number: QLG7-CT-2001-00079 Acronym: CLEVERBIO
Contract signature: 20/11/2001
Area: 13.3
EC contribution: 917.986 €
Duration: 30 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: DK F 2I UK
Cluster development and growth in biotech: enabling factors and best practices
This project aims to develop a normative model to cluster approch in
biotech. The geographical concentration of different actors (clusters) is a key
development mechanism in biotech. On the basis of the examination of five
different clusters in Europe (in different countries and at different stages of
development). This project will develop a normative model tested on field for
cluster development and management. This helps existing clusters face typical
problems of cluster development and new cluster strart-up and and growth. The
project results will be presented in a workshop (for consortium partecipants ) and
in an open symposium and will be published in a book.
Keywords: biotech, cluster, enabling factors, best practices
Co-ordinator:
Vittorio Chiesa
Università di Milano-Bicocca
Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences
Piazza della Scienza, 2
I - 20126 Milano
CEDEX 0
Italy
Tel: + 390264484518
Fax: + 390264483565
E-mail: vittorio.chiesa@unimib.it
__________________________________________________________________
329
Project number: QLG7-CT-2002-02379 Acronym: EURONHEED
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 13.1
EC contribution: 1.687.594 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E F I NL S UK
Development of a European network on health economics evaluation databases
The objective of the EURONHEED project is to create a European
Network on Health Economics Evaluation Databases on the model of the two
existing databases (NHS EED in UK and CODECS in France) with a standardised
methodology for collecting, listing, selecting and analysing published studies in
Health Economics Evaluation for the European context. EURONHEED will
improve international comparisons and the accessibility to the socio economic
evaluation of health care technologies. It will also an additional benefit, provide a
powerful educational tool and become a reference set of databases for policy
making and all health economics evaluations actions in general since these are
increasingly required by regulatory bodies at a national level, as well as the
European level (European Agencies, Multi-national studies, etc.).
Keywords: health economics, databases network, cost-effectiveness
Co-ordinator:
Gérard De Pouvourville
Collèges des Economistes de la Santé
7, rue de Citeaux
F - 75012 Paris
France
Tel: + 33143457565
Fax: + 33143457567
__________________________________________________________________
330
Project number: QLG7-CT-2002-02475 Acronym: ESCHQoL
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 13
EC contribution: 1.828.840 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 3D HU 2I RO S UK
European study of clinical, health economic and quality of life outcomes in
haemophilia treatment
This study has been designed to evaluate the quality of haemophilia care in
Europe to describe the QoL of European haemophiliacs and to estimate the costs
needed to attain these levels of quality of life. About 2040 Patients are recruited
consecutively from haemophilia comprehensive care centres from 22 Countries.
The Study will consist of a QoL Study, Cost-of-Illness-, Cost-Effectiveness- and
Cost-Utility-Analysis to perform total costs due to haemophilia, to compare
alternative treatments and to determine patients preferences. Haemophiliac
patients from 4 years on are stratified according to following characteristics:
severity of haemophilia, presence of inhibitors, treatment schemes. Clinical and
health economic data are assessed at baseline and prospectively over a 6-months
follow-up period. In addition the patients fill in a diary during the follow-up
period.
Keywords: haemophilia, health economics, quality of life
Co-ordinator:
Wolfgang Schramm
Ludwig-Maximilian-University
Department of Haemostaseology and Transfusion
Ziemssenstrasse 1
D - 80336 Munich
Germany
Tel: + 498951602286
Fax: + 498951602148
E-mail: wolfgang.schramm@medinn.med.uni-muenchen.de
__________________________________________________________________
331
Project number: QLG7-CT-2002-02657 Acronym: REALITY
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 13
EC contribution: 1.077.585 €
Duration: 27 months
Type: Combined Research and Technological Development and Demonstration Project
Teams/countries: EE 2P 4UK
Representative evaluation of evolving remote home-based patient monitoring
delivery
REALITY, involving with community-based, clinical monitoring, has two
major objectives. The first is to develop a comprehensive understanding of all the
interlinked factors impacting on the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness
of this form of care, to allow European public healthcare organisations to develop
strategies, policies and guidelines for use as it is adopted. The second is to
develop and evaluate quality-of-life measures applicable alongside clinical
measures obtained through remote monitoring, to achieve a full picture of the
physical and emotional health of community based patients. Unlike previous work
a broad range of remote clinical monitoring applications is considered; undertaken
in a structured manner through a work programme that addresses this forrn of care
from the perspectives of patient, healthcare professional and healthcare manager.
A substantial volume of empirical data, to be derived from a number of diverse
clinical sites, will drive work.
Keywords: home monitoring, evaluation, hand-held technology
Co-ordinator:
Abdul Roudsari
City University
Measurement and Information in Medicine, School of Informatics
Northampton Square
UK - London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom
Tel: + 4402070408367
Fax: + 4402070408364
E-mail: a.v.roudsari@city.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
332
Area 14: Support for Research Infrastructures
333
334
Project number: QLRI-1999-00063
Acronym: FAM Cancer REG EAST EUR
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 14.4.
EU contribution: 238.120 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: CZ 2D F FIN HU LT LV NL PL 2UK CH
Development of network of cancer family syndrome registries in Eastern
Europe
Registries of cancer family syndromes (CFS) are basis for research leading
among others to identification of new CFS genes and/ or phenotype-genotype
correlation. Up to now CFS registries in Eastern Europe are poorly developed.
Estimated cost of collection of CFS cases in Eastern Europe can be very low- ~
125 Euro per one family. Project objectives: 1. Elaboration of standards of a
model CSF registry for Eastern Europe by all participants including CFS registry
leaders with international reputation from Finland, France, Germany, Great
Britain, Holland and Switzerland. 2. Collection of ~ 2000 CFS cases of different
type by registries in Czech, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. 3. Initiation of
at least 13 new collaborative studies with involvement of CFS registries in Eastern
Europe.
Keywords: registries, cancer family syndrome, phenotype-genotype correlation
Co-ordinator:
Jan Lubinski
Pomeranian Medical University
Hereditary Cancer Center/Department Genetics and Pathology
ul Powstancow Wlkp. 72
PL - 70-111 Szczecin
Poland
Tel: +548-91) 4828450
Fax: +548-91) 4828450
E-mail: lubinski@r1.pam.szczecin.pl
__________________________________________________________________
335
Project number: QLRI-1999-00320
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
EU contribution: 500.624 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 2B D I IRL S 3UK
Acronym: PATHBASE
Area: 14.2.
Duration: 36 month
A European transgenic and experimental pathology database and teaching
facility
We wish to establish a www searchable database for images and molecular
descriptions of the pathology associated with genetic or experimental lesions,
primarily in transgenic rodents, focussed on the investigation of mechanisms of
control of cell proliferation and cancer with particular reference to the effects of
environmental insults such a low level radiation. The database will contain high
resolution histopathological images and molecular data not otherwise available
and will constitute a resource for the use of researchers in the EU. The project will
involve the production of dedicated software and its architecture will provide
novel searching and scientific facilities. It will act as a central repository for
pathological information which may be accessed as a reference for interpretation
of new data. Associated with this will be a problem based teaching facility which
will focus on rodent pathology and particularly radiopathology.
Keywords: database, images and molecular description, transgenic rodents
Co-ordinator:
Paul Schofield
Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge
Anatomy
Downing Street
UK - Cambridge CB2 3DY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1223-333893
Fax: +44-1223-333786
E-mail: ps@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
336
Project number: QLRI-1999-00762
Contract signature: 27/01/2000
EU contribution: 630.000 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: A D F IRL NL S UK
Acronym: EUROSTERONE
Area: 14.3.
Duration: 36 month
Steroids in health and disease
Steroid-responsive conditions with major health cost implications include
(i) inflammatory diseases (e.g. Arthritis, asthma) (ii) cardiovascular disorders (e.g.
Hypertension) (iii) reproductive health (hormone replacement therapy) including
reproductive cancers (e.g. Breast, prostate) (iv) cognitive disorders including
anxiety, depression and age-related dementias (Alzheimer’s). This thematic
network draws together infrastructures at 7 European centre where high-calibre
research is carried out on the biology and pharmacology of steroids in health and
disease. The steroid theme cuts across all 7 key actions of the QoL work
programme, including generic activities. Open access, shared resources and
exchange training will establish the knowledge base that is needed to improve
diagnosis and clinical management of diseases and conditions that impact on the
health and quality of life of all European citizens.
Keywords: inflammatory disease, age-related disease, steroid
Co-ordinator:
Stephen Gilbert Hillier
University of Edinburgh
Centre for Reproductive Biology
Reproductive Medicine Laboratory
Chalmers Street 37
UK - Edinburgh EH3 9EW
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-131-229-2575
Fax: +44-131-228-5891
E-mail: s.hillierr@ed.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
337
Project number: QLRI-1999-00877
Acronym: EUROCOMP
Contract signature: 10/01/2000
Area: 14.1.
EU contribution: 1.399.328 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D F 2UK
European comparative genetic resource
At the end of 1996 two large scales ENU mouse mutagenesis projects
were initiated in Europe. The goal of both screens is the production of mouse
mutants , which will allow a better understanding of the molecular basis of such
inherited diseases. So far, only a small percentage of the newly isolated mutations
have been or are currently mapped be- cause of limited funding. Under the
umbrella of EuroCOGENT, two projects (EuroComp and EuroGenet) will be
launched to map a large number of mutant mouse lines. Modifier screens will be
started to mimic complex diseases in man. In addition, databases will be
developed and integrated and advanced genotyping and mutation detection
methods will be developed. This will create a unique resource for the scientific
community and pharmaceutical industry. Whilst these resources for creating and
exploiting mouse mutants existing in Europe are so far unmatched worldwide, it
appears necessary to ensure their consolidation and efficient utilisation.
Keywords: mouse mutants, inherited disease, phenotypic descript
Co-ordinator:
Martin Hrabé de Angelis
GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, GmbH
Institut für Saeugetier Genetik
Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1
D - 85764 Neuherberg
Germany
Tel: +49 89 3187 3022
Fax: +49 89 3187 2212
E-mail: hrabe@gsf.de
__________________________________________________________________
338
Project number: QLRI-1999-01333
Acronym: CYGD
Contract signature: 24/01/2000
Area: 14.2.
EU contribution: 1.800.000 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2B 3D E 3F
Comprehensive yeast genome database.
CYGD aims to build a comprehensive database incorporating genomerelated information far beyond mere sequence data. Yeast is the organism known
in greatest detail with respect to genetics and functional analysis. Modelling
complex interactions of cellular components like metabolic and regulatory
pathways is in its infancy. Expert annotation, i.e. the translation of high level
biological knowledge into the database cannot be provided by database staff
alone. Our approach is multidisciplinary and involves groups with expertise in
genetics, metabolism, expression analysis and transport as well as experts in
bioinformatics and information technology. Experimental evidence from sequence
and expression analysis will be explored. Genuine data from Partners providing
annotated sequence information on related species as well as the results of the
European project will be included.
Keywords: genome database, bioinformatics, data acquisition
Co-ordinator:
Hans-Werner Mewes
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften
MIPS-GSF, Max-Planck-Inst. f. Biochemie
Am Klopferspitz 18a
D - 82152 Martinsried
Germany
Tel: +49-89 85782657
Fax: +49-89 85782655
E-mail: mewes@mips.embnet.org
__________________________________________________________________
339
Project number: QLRI-2000-00398
Acronym: AUTOSTRUCT
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 14.2.
EU contribution: 749.661 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2D 2F NL 5UK
Determination of macromolecular crystal structures: integrated, automated and
user-friendly approaches
X-ray crystallography continues to expand very rapidly and there are 100s
of laboratories in academia and industry. This expansion will increase in response
to genome based structural programmes. This project provides the growing
community (often relatively inexperienced) with the crystallographic tools to meet
the technically advanced demands of modern structural biology. The aim is to
bring together major European crystallographic software groups to design,
implement and support a framework for computational crystallography - namely,
data processing, phase determination, refinement, validation and deposition of
structural data. It will address the problems often present in crystals with very
large cells, complex assembly or unstable contents and lattice defects. It will
involve the development of software for high throughput structure solution. This
is an urgent requirement to handle the expected output of the genome projects.
Keywords: crystallography, structural biology, structural data
Co-ordinator:
Keith Sanderson Wilson
University of York
Structural Biology Laboratory
Department of Chemistry
Heslington
UK – York YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1904 432575
Fax: +44-1904 410519
E-mail: keith@ysbl.york.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
340
Project number: QLRI-2000-00417
Acronym: Epigenome
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 14.2.
EU contribution: 1.197.071 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D 2F UK
Pilot-study for a human epigenome
For an elucidation of complex human disease, all available sources of
biological information are required. Biological information sources are DNA,
mRNA, proteins, metabolic networks and epigenetic information in the form of
chromatin structure and DNA-methylation. DNA-methylation is tissue specific
and correlates with gene- expression, hence being a likely contributor to
phatogenesis. The pilot-project proposed will demonstrate the methylation
blueprint of two different human tissues for a selected 4 Mb genomic region, the
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) by genomic sequencing. The MHC is
the most polymorphic genomic region known, the densest in genes and displays
association with a number of diseases. In addition, correlation between haplotypes
associated with Psoriasis, an MHC-linked disease and methylation epigenotypes
will establish reproducible inter-individual, disease related variation of
methylation patterns.
Keywords: human epigenome, DNA-methylation, gene expression, major
histocompatibility complex
Co-ordinator:
Alexander Olek
Epigenomics GmbH
Kastanienallee 24
D - 10435 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49-30 4404090
Fax: +49-30 44040999
E-mail: olek@epigenomics.de
__________________________________________________________________
341
Project number: QLRI-2000-00436
Acronym: EuroStandards
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 14
EU contribution: 2.749.955 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Combined Research and Technological Development and Demonstration
Teams/countries: D E EL 2I NL P S 3UK
Central facility for the production of stabilised cellular reference standards and
external quality assessment in clinical flow cytometry
The project goals are to develop a central facility that will prepare
stabilised European Reference standards, which will be used to implement a
European external quality assessment (EQA) network for clinical flow cytometry.
Established cellular stabilising protocols and EQA mechanisms involving
European groups committed to harmonising flow cytometric clinical cell analysis
will be used. The project will be professionally led and scientifically based;
educational; provide clinical performance appraisal; monitor laboratory
performance; measure cost benefits and quality of life improvements by raising
standards in clinical laboratories. This will be achieved through a continuous
network operation of frequent specimen distribution, rapid performance feedback
at European and National level and by establishing reference preparations, provide
to individual laboratories evidence of the accuracy of different analytical
procedures.
Keywords: European reference standards, quality assessment, clinical flow
cytometry
Co-ordinator:
David Barnett
UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme
for Leucocyte Immunophenotyping
Academic Department of Haematology
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Central Sheffield University Hospitals
Glossop Road, PO Box 996
UK – Sheffield S10 2JF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-114 2727522
Fax: +44-114 2727523
E-mail: d.barnett@sheffield.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
342
Project number: QLRI-2000-00454
Acronym: Brain-IT
Contract signature: 25/09/2000
Area: 14
EU contribution: 307.151 €
Duration: 12 month
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B 5D DK 2E 3I IL 2LT NL 3S 9UK CH US
Brain-Monitoring with information technology: Internet based assessment of
new invasive and non-invasive health care technologies
Head injury survivors have serious and long-term morbidity. The loss of
employment to the victim and the stress and increased burden of care to family
members have significant social and economic effects upon Europe.
Infrastructures like the European Brain Injury Consortium (EBIC), work towards
improving the development and testing of new treatments for head injured
patients but are hindered by a poor infrastructure for standardising collection of
patient data. The Brain-IT group is a new internet-based collaborative group
providing a network for accessing standardised data collection and analysis tools.
See: (http://www.brainit.gla.ac.uk/brainit). This Brain-IT research and
infrastructure project will promote the expansion of the network from 5 to 22
hospital based neuro-intensive care centres and facilitate the interaction with both
EBIC and Industry towards designing a future RTD project.
Keywords: brain-monitoring, Internet based assessment, brain injury
Co-ordinator:
Ian Piper
Clinical Physics, Institute of Neurological Sciences
South Glasgow University Hospitals Trust
1345 Govan Road
UK – Glasgow G51 4TF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-141 2012595
Fax: +44-141 2012995
E-mail: ipiper@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
343
Project number: QLRI-2000-00517
Acronym: ProFuSe
Contract signature: 23/11/2000
Area: 14.2.
EU contribution: 550.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: 2F 3UK CH
Automation of large-scale protein functional sequence analysis
The ProFuSe project will combine the different strengths of European
groups working on various aspects of protein classification to develop systems to
automatically annotate protein sequences, This development is made necessary by
today's flood of sequence data, which makes labour-intensive hands-on annotation
unsustainable. ProFuSe will: 1. research improved methods for protein
classification and implement them; 2. classify all known protein sequences; 3.
based on the above, develop automated annotation systems. Making the
automated annotation system and the ProFuSe research results available to the
scientific community will enable researchers to classify and annotate rapidly all
their own new sequences, thus facilitating the fast identification of proteins of
medical and commercial importance such as drug targets and disease genes.
Keywords: protein classification, protein sequence, automated annotation
Co-ordinator:
Rolf Apweiler
European Molecular Biology Laboratory 4468
EMBL Outstation - The European Bioinformatics Institute
Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
UK – Cambridge CB10 1SD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1223 494435
Fax: +44-1223 494468
E-mail: apweiler@ebi.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
344
Project number: QLRI-2000-00579
Acronym: OXNORM
Contract signature: 29/12/2000
Area: 14.4.
EU contribution: 550.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 4D 2DK E F FIN HU NO S SK 2UK CH
Optimising the oxygen tension for in vitro cell work
Evidence is accumulating that all mammalian cells are responsive to even
minor changes in oxygen tension. One consequence is that to obtain results of
maximum relevance to in vivo biology, in vitro biological research should be
carried out at physiological oxygen tensions and not at the unphysiological high
oxygen tension of ambient air, which is the present standard. The majority of the
EU research groups involved in this pioneering research and technical
development will form a thematic network to benefit from their individual
experiences. Furthermore, they will formulate guidelines for other researchers and
in collaboration with SMEs make a first effort to stimulate industry to take
advantage of this emerging market.
Keywords: mammalian cells, oxygen tension, guidelines
Co-ordinator:
Peter Ebbesen
Kraeftens Bekaempelse (Danish Cancer Society)
Department of Virus and Cancer
Gustav Wieds vej 10
DK - 8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
Tel: +45-86 127366
Fax: +45-86 195415
E-mail: ebbesen@virus.au.dk
__________________________________________________________________
345
Project number: QLRI-2000-00887
Acronym: CBANK
Contract signature: 8/09/2000
Area: 14.3.
EU contribution: 420.400 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: CZ D E F FIN I IL NL UK
Implementation of a cord blood allocation network
Residual blood from the umbilical cord of neonates (cord blood, CB) has
become an important alternative to bone marrow as source of transplantable
hematopoietic stem cells in the treatment of leukaemia and other diseases. To
support the CB specific advantages over other stem cell sources an adequate
allocation mechanism must be implemented. It is imperative to minimise the
duration of the allocation procedure. This will have direct positive impact to the
transplantation outcome and therapy costs. The implementation of a cord blood
allocation network by using modern work flow management tools will ensure an
equal chance for each patient to get the best transplant available and, thus, solve
possible allocation conflicts. By constantly analysing the systems operation a
cyclical mechanism is fed to improve the allocation process and the quality of
service. The deployment of such a quality chain is also part of the objectives of
the study.
Keywords: cord blood, leukaemia, transplantable hematopoietic stem cells
Co-ordinator:
Peter Hakenberg
Heinrich-Heine-University, Medical Center
Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics
Moorenstr. 5
D - 40225 Düsseldorf
Germany
Tel: +49-211 8118613
Fax: +49-211 9348435
E-mail: peter.hakenberg@uni-duesseldorf.de
__________________________________________________________________
346
Project number: QLRI-2000-00915
Acronym: DROSDEL
Contract signature: 22/09/2000
Area: 14.1.
EU contribution: 1.249.406 €
Duration: 48 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: A 3D E 2F HU S UK CH
Construction of a new Drosophila deletion collection and a European
Drosophila network
The objectives of this project are: (i) to develop new stocks of wide utility
to researchers in Member States. These stocks will enhance the power of
Drosophila genetics and, in particular, provide tools for the functional analysis of
the Drosophila genome. (ii) To provide opportunities for the European Drosophila
Research Community to meet in a network, which will develop the cohesiveness
and interaction within the Community research. The major components of this
Project are by far best carried out at the Community level, since it is to provide a
core infrastructural resource that must be available to and will be used by, the
entire European Drosophila research community, which is estimated to comprise
2000 researchers. The relevance of this Project comes from the fact that extensive
research with the Drosophila model in Europe is in the forefront of the new field
of functional genomics and that Drosophila comprises a field of increasing
importance to biomedical research in general. This project will contribute to
European competitiveness.
Keywords: European Drosophila network, core infrastructural resource,
functional genomics
Co-ordinator:
Aasa Rasmuson – Lestander
Umeaa University
Department of Genetics
S - 90187 Umeaa
Sweden
Tel: +46-90 7865381
Fax: +46-90 7867665
E-mail: rasmuson@big.umu.se
__________________________________________________________________
347
Project number: QLRI-2000-01201
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
EU contribution: 999.998 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D E EL FIN I 5UK
Acronym: EU-PSI
Area: 14.3.
Duration: 36 month
Evidence-based treatment in mental health: optimised use of databases
Mental health problems are common and costly. Treatment is often not
based on existing scientific evidence on effectiveness. The aim of this project is to
widely disseminate trial-derived evidence of mental health treatment, thereby
improving rationality of treatment decisions and quality of life for the psychiatric
patients and their families. This goal will be achieved by pooling existing
European registers of published and unpublished trial evidence to create a unique,
multi-lingual, evidence-based, widely disseminated electronic database. In
addition, existing evidence will be actively disseminated by compiling a
comprehensive electronic EU-PSI Mental Health Library, summing up available
systematic reviews, mental health treatment assessments and evidence-based
guidelines.
Keywords: evidence-based treatment, mental health, quality of life
Co-ordinator:
Kristian Wahlbeck
University of Helsinki
Department of Psychiatry
Lappviksvaegen PB 320
FIN - 00029 Huch, Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358-9 47181211
Fax: +358-9 47181316
E-mail: kristian.wahlbeck@helsinki.fi
__________________________________________________________________
348
Project number: QLRI-2000-01237
Acronym: IIMS
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
Area: 14.2.
EU contribution: 1.050.000 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: D E 2UK
Integration of information about macromolecular structure
The aim of this project is to develop a prototype system that will integrate
data about macromolecular structure at low resolution from three-dimensional
electron microscopy (3D-EM) with data at atomic resolution from X-ray and
NMR techniques. The prototype system will interface with the existing European
Macromolecular Structure Database (EMSD) resource under development at
partner 1's site to store data about X-ray and NMR structures. In order to improve
the usefulness and consistency of data from 3D-EM, validation issues in 3D EM
will be addressed for the first time and software developed assess the quality and
consistency of data from 3D-EM techniques.
Keywords: macromolecular structure, 3D electron microscopy, database
Co-ordinator:
Geoffrey Barton
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
European Bioinformatics Institute
Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton
UK – Cambridge CB10 1SD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1223 494414
Fax: +44-1223 494496
E-mail: geoff@ebi.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
349
Project number: QLRI-2000-01455
Acronym: ERCULE
Contract signature: 28/08/2000
Area: 14.1.
EU contribution: 944.983 €
Duration: 36 month
Type: Research and Technological Development
Teams/countries: F NL PL SK UK
European rumen ciliate culture collection
Rumen protozoa play a major role in ruminant digestion and have clear
economic significance in terms of animal agriculture. They are also of interest in
the study of evolutionary biology. Studies on rumen protozoa are currently
hampered by the lack of a comprehensive culture collection. It is not possible to
culture rumen protozoa in axenic culture and only a limited number of groups
have been able to establish the techniques required to maintain protozoa either in
vitro or in vivo. There is currently no co-ordination between these centres
resulting in duplication of effort, reducing the number of individual species
maintained. The project is to co-ordinate existing facilities within the EU to
produce a virtual culture collection for the EU. To enhance this facility cryogenic
and molecular techniques will be developed to allow these ciliates to be
distributed to other laboratories within the EU.
Keywords: rumen protozoa, axenic culture, virtual culture collection
Co-ordinator:
Jamie C. Newbold
GUT Microbiology and Immunology Division
Rowett Research Institute
Greenburn Road, Bucksburn
UK – Aberdeen AB21 9SB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1224 716675
Fax: +44-1224 716687
E-mail: cjn@rri.sari.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
350
Project number: QLRI-2000-01568
Contract signature: 26/09/2000
EU contribution: 480.470 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: CZ D F I NL P S
Acronym: EPGRIS
Area: 14.2.
Duration: 36 month
Establishment of an European plant genetic resources information
infrastructure
To improve access to plant genetic resources (PGR) maintained ex situ in
Europe an infrastructure for information on PGR will be established, by: 1 Support for the creation of National PGR Inventories, to which all European
countries have committed themselves. In a recent survey most European countries
indicate that they need support in the form of workshops, staff exchanges, etc. 2 Creation of a European Search Catalogue, which will be publicly accessible via
the internet. This Catalogue will be automatically updated with data from the
National PGR Inventories. It will be created at the co-ordinating body for PGR
conservation in Europe (ECP/GR) who will also take responsibility to maintain
the system after completion of the project.
Keywords: plant genetic resources, inventories, European search catalogue
Co-ordinator:
Theo van Hintum
Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research
(CPRO, as part of the Stiching DLO; a foundation according to Dutch Law)
Centre for Genetic Ressources, (CGN)
Droevendaalsesteeg 1 PO Box 16
NL - 6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-317 477 078
Fax: +31-317 418 094
E-mail: Th.J.L.vanHintum@cpro.wag-ur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
351
Project number: QLRI-2000-01741
Contract signature: 18/09/2000
EU contribution: 949.825 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: B E FIN I NL P S 2UK
Acronym: ERSPC Co-ordination
Area: 14.3.
Duration: 48 month
European randomised study of screening for prostate cancer (ERSPC): coordination, infrastructure and international pooled database
The European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer
(ERSPC) aims at establishing or excluding an effect of population screening and
early treatment on prostate cancer mortality (which is second to lung cancer in
most EU countries) and on related quality of life and cost. This study is run by a
consortium of 7 EU countries and 2 candidate participants. It is ongoing since
1994 and about 150,000 men were randomised so far. Recruitment and rescreening will be concluded during 2003. This project covers the following
aspects: the international co-ordination, the central database (not data collection)
and quality control as well as the expenses of the Scientific Committee, Data
Monitoring Committee, Epidemology Committee, Causes of Death Committee,
Pathology Committee and PSA Standardisation Committee. All data collection
and screening is funded locally per country. This study will result eventually in
solid advice to health care policy makers in all European countries regarding the
value of screening for prostate cancer.
Keywords: prostate cancer, quality control, screening
Co-ordinator:
Fritz H. Schroeder
Department of Urology, Academic Hospital
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Molewaterplein 40, PO Box 2040
NL - 3000 CA Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-10 463 4328
Fax: +31-10 463 4894
E-mail: vandenberg@urol.azr.nl
__________________________________________________________________
352
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-30266
Contract signature: 30/11/2001
EC contribution: 2.415.778 €
Type: Accompanying Measure
Teams/countries: 2D E 2F 3UK
Acronym: E-BioSci
Area: 14.2
Duration: 36 months
E-BioSci - a European platform for access and retrieval of full text and factual
information in the life sciences
E-BioSci coordinates European efforts to establish a platform for
electronic services facilitating information access and retrieval in the Life
Sciences. The platform will foster trans-national cooperation in the development
of effective tools for navigation along the biological information chain. It will
coordinate pooling of national expertises, development and assessment of
common protocols for database linkage and will help generate complementarity
between national information archives. Areas requiring further research are
identified. A prototype network will offer users multiple entry points onto as
complete a set of abstract and full-text research material as possible and will
effectively link and integrate this with other biological information resources. EBioSci will provide free access, but commercially produced material will be
protected where necessary.
Keywords: information access and retrieval, database linkage
Co-ordinator:
Les Grivell
European Molecular Biology Organisation
Meyerhofstrasse 1 POB 1022.40
D - 69117 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel: + 496221387117
Fax: + 496221384879
E-mail: grivell@embo.org
__________________________________________________________________
353
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00551
Acronym: IQOD
Contract signature: 30/04/2001
Area: 14.3
EC contribution: 514.927 €
Duration: 30 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B E 3F S UK 2US
International health-related quality of life outcomes database
IQOD Group proposes to develop a database that will allow psychometric
evaluation of cross-cultural equivalence of linguistically adapted versions of 3
Health-related Quality of Life (HRQL) instruments and determine expected scores
for different populations (i.e., cross-cultural, clinical, and socio-demographic).
Also, instruction manuals are developed to standardize administration and
interpretation. This research is crucial for assessment of health status across
Europe. Data may not be aggregated across studies or scores compared from
different populations unless instruments are culturally adapted and instruments
administered and scores interpreted in the same manner. Also, reference values
are very useful in interpreting scores and to make comparisons across different
populations. Currently, there are only a few culturally adapted HRQL instruments
for use in Europe. The resulting culturally adapted instruments, reference values,
and instruction manuals will allow cross-national comparisons of HRQL in
Europe, in health surveys, clinical practice, and clinical research providing
standardized, valid, and useful results.
Keywords: database, psychometric evaluation, health-related quality of life
Co-ordinator:
Dorothy Keininger
MAPI Research Institute
Research Department
27 rue de la Villette
F - 69003 LYON
France
Tel: + 33 4 72 13 66 67
Fax: + 33 4 72 13 66 68
__________________________________________________________________
354
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00010
Acronym: EUROBANK
Contract signature: 19/02/2001
Area: 14
EC contribution: 2.086.094 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: CZ 3D 2F NL 3UK US
Establishment of a cell line and DNA bank for genetic risk assessment and post
transplant monitoring of complications following stem cell transplantation
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the ultimate treatment
for patients with lymphoproliferative and haematological disorders. Genetic
differences, including transplantation antigens and cytokine gene polymorphisms,
between patient and donor constitute genetic risk in SCT. Success of SCT relies
on an accurate assessment of genetic risk factors in order to improve outcome.
Genetic risk factors are assessed by the use of an immortalised cell and DNA bank
where outcome of the transplant is known. We aim to pool resources and establish
a biological collection of fully genotypically characterised patient and donor
immortalised cells for both in vitro patient monitoring post transplant and as a
constant supply of DNA for genetic risk assessment; thus creating a unique and
important European collection for use within the transplant community.
Keywords: biological collections, transplantation, genetic risk
Co-ordinator:
Anne Dickinson
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Haematology, School of clinical and laboratory Sciences
Queen Victoria Road
UK - Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441912226794
Fax: + 441912226794
E-mail: a.m.dickinson@ncl.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
355
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00066
Acronym: BrainNet Europe
Contract signature: 19/02/2001
Area: 14.3
EC contribution: 1.446.700 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: A D E F FIN I NL S 2UK
Network of European brain and tissue banks for clinical and basic
neuroscience
This project proposes a European network system of brain banks. The
main objectives are (1) the standardized acquisition of brain tissues for basic
research, (2) standardization of neuropathological diagnosis and (3) laying the
groundwork for future RTD projects dealing with clinical, genetic, epidemiologic
and other aspects of brain diseases. Diseases of high frequency and outstanding
medical and social importance such as Alzheimer disease and schizophrenia are
one aspect of the project. In addition we will aim at contributing to research in
rare diseases, a research branch which can only be worked on successfully on an
international European level. Harmonization of data capture, neuropathological
diagnosis, and quality control are important milestones. Modern information
technology is instrumental in developing the collaboration. It is used to
disseminate information on tissue handling, current diagnosis and research
projects. Ethical aspects are highly important.
Keywords: brain bank, standardisation, brain diseases
Co-ordinator:
Hans Kretzschmar
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet
Institut fuer Neuropathologie
Marchioninstr. 17
D - 81377 Muenchen
Germany
Tel: + 498970954900
Fax: + 498970954905
E-mail: hans.kretzschmar@inp.med.uni-muenchen.de
__________________________________________________________________
356
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00127
Acronym: ELM
Contract signature: 28/02/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 1.042.041 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 3D I NO UK
The eukaryotic linear motif resource, ELM: a new European bioinformatics
facility for revealing functional sites in modular proteins
Reflecting the moduiar nature of eukaryotic proteins, several WWW
servers (e.g. PFAM, SMART, PROSITE) are dedicated to revealing domains in
protein sequences : These servers have become indispensable bioinformatics
tools. However, there is no resource which specifically focusses on short
functional motifs (targeting peptides. docking modules. phosphorylation sites
etc.). yet these modules are just as important for function as the larger protein
domains. The reason there are no good tools is that the rnotifs are so short that
they severely overpredict, only acquiring significance in the right context (e.g.
KDEL functions in the ER compartment). We will address this deficit by creating
and applying ELM, a comprehensive set of tools for evaluating linear rnotifs in
eukaryotlc proteins using context-based rules to reduce or eliminate false
positives. ELM will be available via the www and in a package for automated
genome analysis pipelines.
Keywords: bioinformatics, eukaryotic proteins, functional motif
Co-ordinator:
Toby J. Gibson
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
EMBL Biocomputing Unit
Meyerhofstrasse 1 POB 10 22 09
D - 69012 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel: + 496221387398
Fax: + 496221387517
E-mail: toby.gibson@embl-heidelberg.de
__________________________________________________________________
357
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00216
Acronym: FISH-TECH-DB
Contract signature: 19/03/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 131.214 €
Duration: 24 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: I P PL 3UK
Development of a network to support an open access, on-line, fish technology
knowledge base
The main objectives are: (1) to improve the knowledge base and enhance
the infonnation infrastructure for the area of post-harvest fisheries technology and
utilisation and (2) to facilitate effective development of R&D, application of
technology, and better quality and safety in this area for the European Union and
Associated States. This is achieved by developing (A) a co-operative Network of
Experts and User Centres to input information into an online, open access, fish
technology database, searchable by keywords and with multiple linkages and
cross referenced. This is nested in new open knowledge directory oneFish on the
Internet being developed by FAO for the fisheries research and development
community. (B) a Fish Technology Discussion Forum within the oneFish plattorm
to facilitate online discussion, develop ideas, identify contacts, source
information, initiate new linkages and access mailing lists. Once (A) and (B) are
established the user centres will support the input od information and its quality
assurance. FAO will continue to host and maintain the system on behalf of the
Network.
Keywords: fish, processing, technology
Co-ordinator:
Paul Nesvadba
The Robert Gordon University
Food Science and Technology Research Centre
School of Applied Sciences
St.Andrew's street
UK - Aberdeen AB25 IHG
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441224262800
Fax: + 441224262857
E-mail: p.nesvadba@rgu.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
358
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00221
Contract signature: 30/04/2001
EC contribution: 873.978 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B D 3F 2I NL 2UK
Acronym: EBRCN
Area: 14.1
Duration: 36 months
The European biological resource centres network
The project will address important issues raised by the current OECD
Initiative on Biological Resource Centres (BRCs) requiring culture collections to
adapt to support biotechnology for the 21st century. It will allow Europe to exploit
its expertise in BRCs and Information Technology, set common policies and
maintain high standards of operation. It will allow links to be made between the
BRC catalogues and other data sets and ensure that the large amount of
specialised information that is presently hidden in BRCs is brought into the open
and will utilise a single common web site as its electronic centre. Importantly, it
will co-ordinate response to new initiatives relevant to access to, and use of,
micro-organism and cell line ex situ living resources. It will improve collection
capacity and enable cost-effective introduction of new technologies by improv ing
efficiency through co ordination of common activities.
Keywords: biological resource centres, culture collection, information technology
Co-ordinator:
Erko Stackebrandt
DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH
Mascheroder Weg 1B
D - 38124 Braunschweig
Germany
Tel: + 493512616352
Fax: + 495312616418
E-mail: erko@dsmz.de
__________________________________________________________________
359
Project number: QLRI-CT-2000-00233
Acronym: INFRAQTL
Contract signature: 19/02/2001
Area: 14.4
EC contribution: 2.091.452 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: CZ D 3F 4UK
Rodent models for oligogenic human diseases: infrastructure facilitating the
progression from genetics to the gene containing the putative aetiological
variant and to the functional validation of genes and pathways
This proposal enhances infrastructure provision for the efficient
exploitation of rodent models leading to the identification of genes and their
biological validation. These genes and pathways are then potential targets for
therapeutic intervention. The key areas for development are: Discovery of rat and
mouse SNPs and construction of a mapping panel coupled with the development
of very high throughput SNP genotyping technology based on mass spectrometry
resulting in more efficient QTL mapping. Mouse consomic panel and associated
resource generation to facilitate QTL refinement mapping. Cross species and
specialised tissue expression profiling to identify genes underlying QTLs and the
pathways relevant to these traits. Comparative, QTL and Pathway gene maps to
facilitate correlation with QTLs mapped in different species (Human, rat and
mouse). Genotype driven recovery of an ENU allelic series in mouse to
functionally validate genes of interest.
Keywords: rodent model, SNP genotyping, QTL mapping
Co-ordinator:
Roger Cox
Medical Research Council
MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit
Harwell
UK - Didcot OX11 ORD
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441235834393
Fax: + 441235824540
E-mail: r.cox@hal.mrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
360
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00981
Acronym: BIOBABEL
Contract signature: 24/10/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 2.023.950 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D IRL UK CH
Enhanced interoperability of biological databases by standardisation of
biochemical terminology and introduction of a shared ontology
The BioBabel project will combine the different strengths of European
groups working on various aspects of standardisation of biochemical terminology
in databases to develop and implement controlled vocabulary and a common
ontology to describe biological attributes in biological databases. This will allow
users to do complex queries across databases in a much simpler way by enhancing
database interoperability. The BioBabel partners will introduce the standardised
tenninology in all the databases they produce and maintain. Accessing these then
highly interoperable sequence databases, genomic databases, protein motif
databases, enzyme databases and nomenclature databases will allow researchers to
infer knowledge about the structure and function of genes and proteins and to
relate these to the existing corpus of scientific knowledge.
Keywords: standardisation, biochemical terminology, database, interoperability
Co-ordinator:
Rolf Apweiler
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
EMBL Outstation - The European Bioinformatics Institute
Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
UK - Cambridge CB10 1SD
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441223494435
Fax: + 441223494468
E-mail: apweiler@ebi.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
361
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-01061
Contract signature: 24/10/2001
EC contribution: 565.200 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: D F I P S 2UK
Acronym: EMMAnet
Area: 14.1
Duration: 36 months
European Mouse Mutant Archive network
The European scientific community is internationally competitive in
producing and characterisation of mouse models for inherited diseases. It is
essential that all mutants that are created are retained and held in a well organised
central repository-network from which they can readily be made available to
interested investigators. To meet these needs the European Mouse Mutant Archive
was established and implemented. EMMA is running under highest quality
standards and was opened to the public in 1999. Since new partners joined this
European enterprise it is now the time for reconstruction in terms of co-ordination
and networking. With the help of EMMAnet a director is implemented
responsible for co-ordination and set up of SOPs for every EMMA procedure.
This will ensure the accessibility for scientific community and industry.
EMMAnet is essential to develope EMMA towards a virtual repository appearing
as one center.
Keywords: genome research, mouse mutants, virtual repository
Co-ordinator:
Martin Hrabé de Angelis
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Instituto di Biologia Cellulare
Via E. Ramarini
I - 00016 Monterotondo Scalo
Italy
Tel: + 498931873302
Fax: + 498931873099
E-mail: hrabe@gsf.de
__________________________________________________________________
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Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-01325
Acronym: ESTDAB
Contract signature: 24/10/2001
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 1.478.937 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D DK E S UK
European searchable tumour cell line database
ESTDAB will bring together five existing European infrastructures and by
coordinating their disparate skills and resources will offer a unique resource to the
international cancer research community, namely a searchable data base of
immunologically characterised tumour cell lines, where possible together with
normal cells from the same patients. Cells are quality-controlled, banked and
shipped to qualified investigators (the "users"). A searchable data base is
developed, derived from programs currently used by the worlds largest center (an
ESTDAB partner) for HLA matching of bone marrow donors to recipients. The
data base and search program will include many immunological parameters in
addition to full HLA typing and surface expression (tumour antigen and
accessory/adhesion molecule expression, cytokine secretion etc.); it will offer
users such multi-parameter searching for the first time in any cell bank.
Keywords: tumour cell line, database, multi-parameter searching
Co-ordinator:
Graham Pawelec
Eberhard-Karls-Universitaet Tuebingen
Section for Transplantation Immunology and Immunohaematology Zentrum für
Medizinische Forschung, ZMF.
Waldhörnlestr. 22
D - 72072 Tübingen
Germany
Tel: + 4970712982805
Fax: + 497071295567
E-mail: graham.pawelec@uni-tuebingen.de
__________________________________________________________________
363
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-01363
Acronym: EMBCORE
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 1.000.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A B 2D DK E EL F FIN HU 2I IL IRL 2NL NO P PL 2S SK
4UK AR AU CA 2CH CN CU IN RU TR ZA
The core European bioinformatics research infrastructure in the life sciences
Bioinformatics is the science of managing and analysing biological
information. Since 1988 there has been a strong European collaboration of
currently 29 National and 8 Specialist bioinformatics research nodes with over
32K users: the EMBnet, coordinating support, training and bioinformatics
research in life sciences. While others, like EBI and NCBI, offer general use
services, an EMBnet node focuses on specific user needs, provides computational
tools needed and supports in national language. Coordination meetings,
conferences and thematic discussion lists supervised by leading bioinformatics
experts, will catalyse the transfer of expertise to the user. A common web portal
provides access to the over 100 individual bioinformatics servers within EMBnet.
End-user meetings and continuous user polling monitor feedback and produce
discussion papers for science policy makers. An electronic and a hard copy
journal disseminates the suggestions along with in depth bioinformatics reviews.
Keywords: bioinformatics, computational tools, web portal
Co-ordinator:
J.A.M. Leunissen
Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen
Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics
Toernooiveld 1 POB 9010
NL - 6500 GL Nijmegen
Netherlands
Tel: + 31243652248
Fax: + 31243652977
E-mail: jackl@cmbi.kun.nl
__________________________________________________________________
364
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-01645
Acronym: COBRA
Contract signature: 24/10/2001
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 1.659.965 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2CZ D 2F P 2UK
The conservation of a vital European scientific and biotechnological resource :
microalgae and cyanobacteria
COBRA involves the development of a unique European biological
resource centre based on existing algal/cyanobacterial collections. This will, for
the first time, utilise cryopreservation as a standard technique to ensure genetic
stability of conserved strains, thus providing the biotechnology community with
the organisms they require and guaranteeing their long-term availability and
stability. It will form the essential and underpinning foundation of a European
algal biotechnology sector. The project will result in novel, effective preservation
protocols capable of preserving currently "preservation recalcitrant" strains and
also a series of strain stability test protocols to ensure equivalent strains of microorganisms supplied by European Collections will give high quality and consistent
performance.
Keywords: biotechnology, cryopreservation, algae
Co-ordinator:
John Day
NERC
CEH Windermere
Far Sawrey
UK - Ambleside LA22 0LP
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441539442468
Fax: + 441539446914
E-mail: jgd@ceh.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
365
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02276
Acronym: EUROAS GENOMIC BANK
Contract signature: 26/04/2002
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 2.331.931 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B D E 4F FIN I P UK
Euroas European genomic bank and clinical, genetic and immunogenetic
databases of ankylosing spondylitis and the other spondylarthropathes.
Existing infrastructures of partner laboratories and clinical leading centres
in European countries is harmonised and reinforced into a task force to achieve
clinical (phenotypes), genetic material and genotype repository from anklylosing
spondylitis (AS) and the other spondylarthropathies (SPA), thanks to the access to
up to 00 affected families. After diagnostic ascertaining, informative families are
recruited. All needed clinical data (including severity assessment, comorbidities)
from AS patients and unaffected individuals is collected. DNA, cells, sera and
transformed cell lines (EBV) is stored in a central bank for researcher use. Only
such a large repository will give enough power to immunogenetic, candidate gene,
genome wide screen and fine gene mapping studies to successfully identify new
AS susceptibility and severity genes, allowing the development of new
therapeutic (gene therapy) and preventive approaches.
Keywords: genomic bank, family collection, anklylosing spondylitis
Co-ordinator:
Saddek Laoussadi
Assistance-Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Hopital Cochin
Service de Rheumatologie A
27, Rue du Frbg Saint-Jacques
F - 75674 Paris
CEDEX 14
France
Tel: + 33660609239
Fax: + 33147409239
E-mail: saddek.laoussadi@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr
saddek43@aol.com
__________________________________________________________________
366
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00003
Acronym: EMMAworks
Contract signature: 3/12/2001
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 4.015.762 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D F I P S 2UK
European Mouse Mutant Archive non routine working programme I
The mouse has become the key model for biomedical and medical
research. The European scientific community is internationally competitive in the
production and characterisation of mouse models for inherited diseases. However,
it is proving to be impossible, for even the largest and best funded research
institutes, to retain all of these animals. It is essential that all mutants that are
created are retained and held in a well organised, central repository-network from
which they can readily be made available to interested investigators. To meet
these needs the European Mouse Mutant Archive (EMMA) was established and
implemented. This application seeks funding for incorporation of a significant
number of new medically relevant mouse strains. In addition the immediate access
to this valuable biological resource for all European countries will be a result of
the proposed work.
Keywords: genome research, inherited diseases, mouse mutants
Co-ordinator:
Martin Hrabé de Angelis
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Instituto di Biologia Cellulare
Via E. Ramarini
I - 00016 Monterotondo Scalo
Italy
Tel: + 390690091207
Fax: + 390690091260
E-mail: hrabe@emma.rm.cnr.it
__________________________________________________________________
367
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00004
Acronym: FLYSNP
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 1.391.070 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A D E HU S 2UK
SNP mapping resources for the functional genomics of drosophila
Deciphering the human genome relies on functional genomics studies
performed in model organisms such as Drosophila. Despite the recent completion
of the Drosophila genome sequence, the task of assigning a function (defined by a
mutant phenotype) to a given gene is still both time-consuming and error-prone.
The availability of a high resolution map of single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) in the Drosophila genome will allow researchers to map mutations rapidly
and accurately. The FLYSNP project will construct a genome-wide map of 2400
SNPs, at an average density of 1 SNP per 50 kb. FLYSNP will determine SNP
genotypes on a number of commonly used and newly generated strains, so that the
SNP information can immediately be used for genetic mapping purposes.
FLYSNP will also establish a standard set of inexpensive, high throughput SNP
genotyping protocols, and offer services to assist users in the implementation of
these methods.
Keywords: SNP map, drosophila, functional genomics
Co-ordinator:
Barry J. Dickson
Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pathologie GmbH
Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)
Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7
A - 1030 Vienna
Austria
Tel: + 43179730421
Fax: + 4317987153
E-mail: dickson@nt.imp.univie.ac.at
__________________________________________________________________
368
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00006
Acronym: PLANET
Contract signature: 7/12/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 2.415.680 €
Duration: 42 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B D E F NL 2UK
European plant genome database network (PLANET)
Due to a number of national and European efforts a wealth of highly
valuable plant genome related information will be generated during the coming
years. To integrate this information and to bridge the information flow between
the national communities, the objective is to establish a network of data resources,
bioinformatics tools and experts from nodes representing national plant genome
efforts to create a comprehensive, distributed European plant genome database as
an indispensable resource. The project will strongly benefit from the existing
databases and bioinformatics groups and build on the already established
Arabidopsis genome database.
Keywords: genome, database, plant genomics, bioinformatics
Co-ordinator:
Hans-Werner Mewes
GSF - Forschungszentrum fuer Umwelt und Gesundheit, GmbH
Institut fuer Biomathematik und Biometrie
Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1
D - 85764 Neuherberg
Germany
Tel: + 498985782656
Fax: + 498985782655
E-mail: w.mewes@gsf.de
__________________________________________________________________
369
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00007
Acronym: CHARRNET
Contract signature: 30/11/2001
Area: 14.5
EC contribution: 1.102.039 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: A F FIN 3IS NO 2S 5UK
European network supporting infrastructures for arctic charr culture and
conservation
CHARRNET - The proposal leads to the formation of a unique Network of
Research Infrastructures involving Arctic charr in Europe. The Network will
include academic and commercial research infrastructures, together with potential
users and conservation interests. The network will operate at International level,
with national gateways, and will include a strong Internet presence. The Network
will lead to the production of a manual of Protocols and best practice within such
infrastructures at a European level. The project will also stimulate more access by
researchers to the infrastructures.
Keywords: Arctic charr, conservation, Internet
Co-ordinator:
John Harald Eccles
John Eccles Hatcheries
Rackwick, Hoy
UK - Orkney KW16 3NJ
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441856791219
Fax: + 441856791323
E-mail: john.eccles@aol.com
__________________________________________________________________
370
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00015
Acronym: TEMBLOR
Contract signature: 7/12/2001
Area: 14.2
EC contribution: 19.400.912 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 3D DK E 3F 3UK CH
The European molecular biology linked original resources
TEMBLOR is a new-generation bioinformatics project, centred on an
integrated layer for the exploitation of genomic and proteomic data (Integr8) by
drawing on databases maintained at major bioinformatics centres in Europe, and
by creating new important resources for protein-protein interaction (IntAct),
structural (EMSD) and microarray (DESPRAD) data. Integr8 will enable text-,
structure- and sequence-based searches against a gene-centric view of all
completed genomes. Zooming in on the sequence data linked to the gene will
allow the user to see genomic, transcriptional, and protein sequences linked
together. Each transcript is linked “down” to the genomic sequence from which it
transcribed, and “up” to the protein sequence into which it is translated. Each
level will give direct access to the whole body of scientific knowledge about a
given gene, transcript or protein.
Keywords: integrated layer, genomic and proteomic data, algorithms
Co-ordinator:
Rolf Apweiler
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
EMBL Outstation - The European Bioinformatics Institute
Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
UK - Cambridge CB10 1SD
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441223494435
Fax: + 441223494468
E-mail: apweiler@ebi.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
371
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00020
Acronym: EuroPa
Contract signature: 25/11/2001
Area: 14.3
EC contribution: 1.732.617 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A CZ 3D E F I IL NL P S UK
European cooperative network for research, diagnosis and therapy of
Parkinson's disease
It is intended to create a European research infrastructure for Parkinson's
disease (PD) by extending existing national networks. The organisation will rely
on a web-based data management system. A central patient registry and a clinical
research and trial center is established. Means for an ongoing economic review of
the costs of PD and a financial strategy to ensure sustainability beyond the
funding period is derived. EuroPa will provide a critical mass for research,
encourage sharing of information, standardized transnational registration of PD
patients, spread of good clinical practice and, eventually, the construction of a
virtual reality engine for driving research. Thus, an environment is created which
is intended to give both research and therapy of PD a powerful and effective
European dimension at an internationally competitive level.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease, clinical network, trial center
Co-ordinator:
Wolfgang H. Oertel
Kinikum der Philipps Universitaet Marburg
Klinik fuer Neurologie
Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8
D - 35033 Marburg
Germany
Tel: + 4964212866279
Fax: + 4964212868955
E-mail: oertelw@mailer.uni-marburg.de
__________________________________________________________________
372
Project number: QLRI-CT-2001-00025
Contract signature: 23/11/2001
EC contribution: 528.237 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: DK F NL UK
Acronym: DATRAS
Area: 14.5
Duration: 24 months
Development of a central database for European trawl survey data
A comprehensive database of the major international trawl surveys is
compiled at ICES. The database will contain data from surveys covering Baltic
Sea, North Sea, Channel, Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, Bay of Biscay and the eastern
Atlantic and span a period of up to 35 years. The quality of the data is assured
through quality checks according to a protocol that is developed. The procedures
for collection and registration of the data are standardised among partners.
Software routines are developed that enable the annual update of the database.
Data quality is assured through the development of a protocol and software
routines. Manuals for the respective surveys are expanded and updated. On-line
access to the data is accomplished through web facilities including standardised
data extractions and availability of aggregated data, standard tables and figures.
Keywords: Fish, database, survey
Co-ordinator:
Gerjan J. Piet
Wageningen University and Research (wur)
Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research (RIVO)
Haringkade 1 POB 68
NL - 1970 AB IJmuiden
Netherlands
Tel: + 31255564660
Fax: + 31255564644
E-mail: g.j.piet@rivo.wag-ur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
373
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-00026
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: 507.000 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 2D F 2I PL
Acronym: EFABIS
Area: 14.2
Duration: 36 months
A European farm animal biodiversity information system.
The objective of the project is to create an integrate infrastructure of
databases to monitor farm animal biodiversity (FAB) in Europe. This project will
meet the specific requirements of the European continent as well as the need for
full compatibility with the Global Information System (DAD-IS) of FAO. The
outcomes of the project will be made available to the widest range of potential
users. It will be an important tool in characterisation, utilisation and conservation
of those genetic resources. The project will help rationalise the monitoring of
livestock and poultry genetic diversity, and favour a greater awareness of the
genetic resources available to the European farmers. The new European database
structure will help the countries in collecting information on the one hand and will
be integrated with DAD-IS, which is designed to link all parties to the FAO
Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources.
Keywords: genetic resources, farm animal, information systems
Co-ordinator:
Johan Van Arendonk
Wageningen University
Animal Breeding and Genetics Group
Marijkeweg 40 POB 338
NL - 6700 AH Wageningen
Netherlands
Tel: + 310317482335
Fax: + 310317483929
E-mail: johan.vanarendonk@alg.vf.wau.nl
__________________________________________________________________
374
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-00618
Acronym: ENBI
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.7
EC contribution: 1.500.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Teams/countries: 2A 3B CY 2CZ 11D DK 2E 4EL 2F 2FIN HU 7I IL
3IRL IS 2LT 4NL P 2PL S SI SK 10UK CH
European network for biodiversity information
The European Network for Biodiversity Information (ENBI) is an open
network of biodiversity information centers. ENBI promotes access to a
European-wide pool of primary biodiversity data and expertise at a European
scale. The network acts as a platform to identify issues of common concern that
need an approach at the European level to promote or undertake feasibility
studies, and to share and dissemi- nate expertise and information. Key issues are
the enhancement and interoperability of biodiversity databases, and the interaction
with end-users about Web services. As such, the network also contributes to the
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
Keywords: biodiversity, information, informatics
Co-ordinator:
Wouter Los
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Zooelogisch Museum
Mauritskade 61 POB 94766
NL - 1090 GT Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: + 31205256498
Fax: + 31205255402
E-mail: los@science.uva.nl
__________________________________________________________________
375
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-01272
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: 878.159 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: A 2D E 2F 2I IL CH
Acronym: EAMNET
Area: 14.4
Duration: 36 months
European advanced light microscopy network
In the last few years, there has been a surge of interest in the use of light
microscopy in biomedical research, driven by the increasing need of biologists, in
the post-genomic era, to map chemical and molecular activities in living systems.
This has been made approachable by recent advances in the fields of biology,
chemistry, physical optics, robotics and computer science. This combination of
technologies promises to advance research, create new tools for biotechnology
and clinical applications, and form the basis for new clinical diagnostic tests.
However, such a potential is still far from being fully exploited. EAMNET is
formed by European laboratories with expertise in research and in advanced light
microscopy applied to all fields of modem biology. Its main goal is to make the
potential of modern light microscopy available to all the interested European
laboratories, with an emphasis on both pre-clinical research and on
pharmaceutical applications.
Keywords: light microscopy, clinical applications, pharmaceutical applications
Co-ordinator:
Alberto Luini
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
Cell Biology and Oncology
Via Nazionale
I - 66030 Santa Maria Imbaro (CH)
Italy
Tel: + 390872570355
Fax: + 390872570412
E-mail: luini@dcbo.cmns.mnegri.it
__________________________________________________________________
376
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-01325
Acronym: INPRIMAT
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 1.675.626 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D E 2F I NL S UK
Research infrastructure to promote primate molecular biology
In the postgenomic era, a better functional understanding of the human
genome will only be achieved by comparing our genes to those of other species.
Animal models (e.g. mouse) are too evolutionarily distinct to understand many
gene functions that characterise humans. The dearth of primate resources for
molecular analyses is especially worrying in Europe. We propose to establish a
consortium of leading teams to provide the European scientific community with
the resources needed to boost primate molecular biology. The resources include
non-human primate collections, STRs markers, cell lines, BAC libraries and
microarrays and have been selected for biomedical and conservation purposes and
to cover the whole range of primate infraorders. The project has broad scientific,
political and social implications, such as promoting the role of zoos and museums
in education and conservation, and placing Europe in a leading position in this
promising field.
Keywords: primate, genome comparison, infrastructure
Co-ordinator:
Mariano Rocchi
Universita' degli Studi di Bari
Dipartimento di Anatomia Patologica e di Genetica
Policlinico
P. zza Giulio Cesare
I - 70124 Bari
Italy
Tel: + 390805443371
Fax: + 390805443386
E-mail: rocchi@biologia.uniba.it
__________________________________________________________________
377
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-01551
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: 1.831.466 €
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: A 3B E F I 3NL UK
Acronym: TuBaFrost
Area: 14.1
Duration: 36 months
European human frozen tumour tissue bank
Elucidation of the complete human DNA sequence and unprecedented
breakthroughs in genomics, proteomics and bio-informatics will identify critical
molecular targets that can be applied in cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
Translation of results of basic research into the clinic will be greatly enhanced by
a supra-national European bank of human frozen tumour samples, linked with
large clinical trials such as conducted in EORTC. This proposal plans a network
of frozen tumour sample collections, processed and stored according to
standardised protocols, in major European cancer centres and universities. The
virtual tumour bank, a database containing digital microscopic images and codedlinked patient data, can be searched by the whole European scientific community.
A European code of conduct will be developed for use of tissues based on the
various legal and ethical regulations as well as incentives and rules for
contributers.
Keywords: virtual bank, frozen tumour, tissue banking
Co-ordinator:
Winand Dinjens
University Hospital Rotterdam
Pathology
Dr Molewaterplein 40, POB 2040
NL - 3000 CA Rotterdam
Netherlands
Tel: + (31-10)4087946
Fax: + (31-10)4089487
E-mail: dinjens@path.fgg.eur.nl
__________________________________________________________________
378
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-01768
Acronym: SIOPEN-R-NET
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.3
EC contribution: 1.891.932 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 4A B CZ D DK E EL 5F HU 2I IL 2NO P PL S 3UK CH
European society of paediatric oncology neuroblastoma research network
The SIOPE-R-NET project aims to create a WEB-based Neuroblastoma
(NBL) IT Network to optimise the use of pre-existing research infrastructures in
European countries to improve complementarity. Integration of clinical and
research efforts will allow to reach a critical mass of consistent data for new
insight into disease mechanisms. A high risk NBL trial will randonise safety and
efficacy of new and existing drugs to improve survival of affected children The IT
infrastructure comprises a web portal, a high performance central data base, user
interface (remote data entry, retrieval, verification) supporting clinical trials and
specific tasks of 11 ESIOP NBL subcommittees, a clinical study environment
(eligibility checks, online randomisation, continuous monitoring of recruitment
and severe adverse events), and a system for telemedical central review of
imaging data. The IT structure will support to create a virtual tumour and serum
bank.
Keywords: neuroblastoma, clinical trial, telemedicine
Co-ordinator:
Ruth Ladenstein
St. Anna Children's Hospital
Department for Applied Clinical Research and Statistics
Kinderspitalgasse 6
A - 1090 Vienna
Austria
Tel: + 43140170475
Fax: + 43140170430
E-mail: ladenstein@ccri.univie.ac.at
__________________________________________________________________
379
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02744
Acronym: BovGen
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 1.847.687 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: D F 2I UK CA
Structural and functional genomics tools for cattle research
The objective of the proposed work is to develop advanced genomic tools
that will help researchers to identify the genes involved in important traits in
cattle, starting either from their map position, or from examining expression
profiles. A set of 20,000 non-redundant cDNAs is sequenced. These cDNAS are
used to construct macro-and micro-arrays, which can be used to examine gene
expression under various physiological conditions. The sequence information will
also be used to construct a high density "gene map" of the bovine genome and
hence high-resolution comparative genome maps with man and mouse. The latter
will aid the identification of postional candidate genes for mapped traits. The
sequence information and RH maps will also be used to in collaboration with an
international project to construct a scaffold physical (BAC) map of the entire
bovine genome, which will be as entry for targeted DNA sequencing.
Keywords: genomics, cattle, DNA sequencing
Co-ordinator:
John Williams
Roslin Institute (Edinburgh)
Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics
UK - Roslin EH25 9PS
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441315274200
Fax: + 441314400434
E-mail: john.williams@bbsrc.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
380
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02746
Acronym: ECARUCA
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14
EC contribution: 714.843 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: NL 2UK CH
European cytogeneticists association register of unbalanced chromosome
aberrations
There exist a large variety of rare chromosomal disorders. Information
about these disorders is not only difficult to obtain for patients and their relatives
but for clinicians as well. Due to new techniques that enables geneticists to study
the chromosomes inmore detail the number of detectable chromosomal
abnormalities will considerably rise over the coming years. We have started a
European initiative to collect medical data on the various rare chromosomal
abnormalities: the European Cytogeneticists Association Register of Unbalanced
Chromosomal Aberrations (ECARUCA). One of the major goals of ECARUCA is
to make the new data available to the clinicians and the patients/families involved.
To achieve this we are setting up a database that will be accessible to account
holders through the Internet.
Keywords: chromosome aberration, cytogenetics, register
Co-ordinator:
Conny Van Ravenswaaij-Arts
Stichting Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen
Department of human genetics
Geert Grooteplein 10 POB 9101
NL - 6500 HB Nijmegen
Netherlands
Tel: + 31243614105
Fax: + 31243542151
E-mail: c.vanravenswaay@antrg.azn.nl
__________________________________________________________________
381
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02755
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: 2.000.000 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: 3E EL 2F I NL P S
Acronym: FISHTRACE
Area: 14.1
Duration: 36 months
Genetic catalogue, biological reference collections and online database of
European marine fishes
The network has been designed to achieve a critical mass of biological
materials, genetic information and human resources by interaction of participants
belongings to different fields of knowledge (taxonomists, molecular biologists,
software and database managing experts, curators, fish biologists and food
technologists) in order to compile all necessary data for the development of an
online database containing the genetic catalogue of European marine fishes. In
addition biological reference collections (DNA and tissues from voucher
specimens) emerging from the specific sampling will serve as indisputable
research resources for the identification of fish species to guarantee their source
and authenticity. Implementation of the results will include the long-term
preservation and maintenance of the collected data and materials, and the
applicability of the online database in terms of user-oriented models tools for
quality control.
Keywords: genetics, fish, database
Co-ordinator:
Jose M. Bautista
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV
Facultad de Veterinaria
Ciudad universitaria S/N
E - 28040 MADRID
Spain
Tel: + 34913943827
Fax: + 34913943824
E-mail: jmbau@vet.ucm.es
__________________________________________________________________
382
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02757
Acronym: EUDRAGENE
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 1.220.000 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Concerted Action
Teams/countries: D E F I IRL NL 2S UK
European collection to establish the genetic basis of adverse drug reactions
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are important causes of morbidity and
mortality, and are under strong genetic influence. Identifying genetic variants that
influence susceptibility to ADRs has obvious practical applications, and will
contribute to understanding of the molecular basis of adverse drug reactions.
Research in this area is hampered by the lack of a resource in which to study
genetic determinants of susceptibility to ADRs. As most adverse reactions are
rare, a case-control study is the only feasible desjgn in which to study genetic
associations. To obtain adequate numbers of cases of each of the ADRs under
study, a multicentre European collaboration is necessary as no single country will
generate enough cases of any given ADR within a reasonable time. We propose to
establish a freely shared resource consisting of clinical data and DNA samples
from cases of ADRs, together with a control group.
Keywords: adverse, drug, genetic
Co-ordinator:
Paul McKeigue
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Epidemiology Unit
Keppel Street
UK - London WC1E 7HT
United Kingdom
Tel: + 442079272312
Fax: + 442075806897
E-mail: paul.mckeigue@lshtm.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
383
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02758
Acronym: EUPEAH
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.4
EC contribution: 3.165.602 €
Duration: 48 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: 2D 2NL S UK CH
Glucocorticoid hormone programming in early life and its impact on adult
health
Low birth weight in humans is associated with increased risk of
hypertension, diabetes or affective disorders in later life. Excessive foetal
exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) retards organism growth, as GCs exert prenatal
programming in a variety of target tissues. Whilst many researchers have argued
on the basis of conventional animal models to explain the links between prenatal
GC exposure and the commonest human disorders, none has shown strict
relevance to humans. To elucidate the mechanisms in a primate model, we
propose extending the studies in rats to marmoset monkeys. The animals are
treated prenatally with GCs, studying the impact upon potential adverse metabolic
programming, reproductive and immune function, HPA axis activity, brain
function and morphology and behaviour. Understanding how such prenatal
programming works provides prospects for disease prevention and health
promotion.
Keywords: early programming, glucocorticoids, hormonal programming
Co-ordinator:
Eberhard Fuchs
Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH
Neurobiology
Kellnerweg 4
D - 37077 Goettingen
Germany
Tel: + 495513851130
Fax: + 49551392593
E-mail: efuchs@gwdg.de
__________________________________________________________________
384
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02769
Acronym: EUROBIOBANK
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.1
EC contribution: 1.219.321 €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: B D E 6F HU 4I SI MT
European network of DNA, cell and tissue banks on rare diseases
Eurobiobank will set up the first operating network of rare diseases
biological resources centres in Europe, gathering and facilitating the access to
nearly 150.000 existing human biological samples of DNA, tissues and cell
cultures. The network gathers 16 partners from 8 countries and is open to new
memberships. It will optimise the exploitation of biological collections of human
material. It will help reaching a critical mass of collections indispensable for
research on rare diseases. Activities will focus on: development of a dedicated
website interconnecting and facilitating access to collections; definition of high
quality criteria and Standard Operating Procedures ; mapping of relevant practical
ethical issues ; dissemination of SOP and know-how to the whole European
scientific community, particularly through a training programme and information
activities.
Keywords: biological material, bank, rare diseases
Co-ordinator:
Hawa Drame
Eurordis
102, rue Didot
F - 75014 PARIS
France
Tel: + 33156535212
Fax: + 33156535215
E-mail: hdrame@afm.genethon.fr
__________________________________________________________________
385
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02770
Acronym: BioMinT
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14
EC contribution: under negotiation €
Duration: 36 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: A 2B UK 2CH
Biological text mining
Genome research has spawned unprecedented volumes of data, but
characterisation of DNA and protein sequences has not kept pace with the rate of
data acquisition. To anyone trying to know more about a given sequence, the
worldwide collection of abstracts and papers remains the ultimate information
source. The goal of the BioMinT project is to develop a generic text mining tool
that : 1) interprets diverse types of query; 2) retrieves relevant documents from the
biological literature; 3) extracts the required information; and 4) outputs the result
as a data-base slot filler or as a structured report. The BioMinT tool will thus
operate in two modes. As a curator's assistant, it is validated on SWISS-PROT
and PRINTS; as a researcher's assistant, its reports are submitted to the scrutiny of
biologists in academia and industry. The project is conducted by an
interdisciplinary team from biology. computational linguistics and data/text
mining.
Keywords: text mining, database, genome
Co-ordinator:
Terri Attwood
The University of Manchester
School of Biological Sciences
Oxford Road
UK - Manchester M13 9PT
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441612755766
Fax: + 441612755082
E-mail: terri.attwood@bioinf.man.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
386
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02773
Acronym: FADIO
Contract signature: under negotiation
Area: 14.5
EC contribution: 1.379.979 €
Duration: 39 months
Type: Research and Technological Development Project
Teams/countries: B 2E EL 3F NO US
Fish aggregating devices as instrumented observatories of pelagic ecosystems
Tropical pelagic species are known to aggregate around floating objects.
The objective of this project is to define specifications and develop prototypes of
(1) autonomous buoys equipped with 360 sonars to observe aggregations, data
loggers to detect individuals carrying electronic tags and satellite uplinks for both,
(2) new electronic tags with ecological sensors. Also, a model of aggregation
processes is developed for interpreting data collected by currently available downlooking sonars mounted on buoys. Various field experiments are conducted to
assist in development of specifications for the autonomous sonars. The new
instrumented buoys will become observatories of pelagic ecosystems. They will
reduce the dependence on research vessels and represent a major advance in
fisheries research and the study of pelagic organisms.
Keywords: instrumented buoy, electronic tags, pelagic ecosystem
Co-ordinator:
Patrice Cayre
Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement
Departement of Living Resources, UR 061
HIMB POB 1346
F - 75480 PARIS
France
Tel: + 33148037672
Fax: + 33148037812
E-mail: drv@paris.ird.fr
__________________________________________________________________
387
Project number: QLRI-CT-2002-02819
Contract signature: under negotiation
EC contribution: 249.646 €
Type: Thematic Network
Teams/countries: D DK E F 2NO 4UK
Acronym: EUROPA
Area: 14.2
Duration: 12 months
Development of a European resource on the origins of pathogens of
aquaculture
The management and control of disease in aquaculture is the single most
important limiting factor in the development of the industry in Europe. Molecular
analysis of pathogens by nucleotide sequencing has provided extremely valuable
information on the epizootiology of aquatic disease and is all increasingly
important tool in disease management. At present, development of such analyses
is carried out in an ad hoc fashion, risking complementarity, duplication of effort
or development of mutually exclusive data collections. Establishment of this
thematic network will provide a harmonized dataset for important pathogens,
together with defined quality standards. Such a network has considerable added
value in terms of the data collections, information resources and epizootiological
facilities for aquaculture research, development and management.
Keywords: aquaculture, pathogen, epidemiology
Co-ordinator:
Chris Secombes
The University Court of the University of Aberdeen
Department of Zoology
Tillydrone Avenue
UK - Aberdeen AB24 2TZ
United Kingdom
Tel: + 441224272872
Fax: + 441224272396
E-mail: c.secombes@abdn.ac.uk
__________________________________________________________________
388
389
Co-ordinators' Index
Aaltonen, Lauri ............................................................................................................................. 165
Alexander, Sophie ......................................................................................................................... 251
Alfano, Bruno ............................................................................................................................... 194
Almeida, Osborne ......................................................................................................................... 195
Amditis, Angelos .......................................................................................................................... 240
Anagnou, Nicholas........................................................................................................................ 151
Andersen, Per ................................................................................................................................ 188
Anderson, Mary .................................................................................................................... 128, 137
Apweiler, Rolf .............................................................................................................. 344, 361, 371
Arredondo Waldmeyer, Maria Teresa .......................................................................................... 293
Attwood, Terri .............................................................................................................................. 386
Baeck Moeller, Kerstin ................................................................................................................. 267
Baes, Myriam .................................................................................................................................. 84
Bailey, Anthony ............................................................................................................................ 140
Baldacchino, Alexander Mario ..................................................................................................... 254
Ballabio, Andrea ........................................................................................................................... 136
Balzarini, Jan .................................................................................................................................. 76
Barnett, David ............................................................................................................................... 342
Barosi, Giovanni ........................................................................................................................... 109
Barton, Geoffrey ........................................................................................................................... 349
Bautista, Jose M. ........................................................................................................................... 382
Beekman, Volkert ......................................................................................................................... 319
Beggs, Jean ................................................................................................................................... 161
Bergmann Einarsson, Eirikur ........................................................................................................ 312
390
Berrih-Aknin, Sonia ........................................................................................................................ 94
Beyleveld, Deryck ........................................................................................................................ 310
Blamey, Roger .............................................................................................................................. 258
Bland, Paul W. ................................................................................................................................ 26
Bliss, Timothy............................................................................................................................... 190
Bloomfield, Kim ........................................................................................................................... 253
Bockaert, Joel ............................................................................................................................... 207
Brakebusch, Cord ........................................................................................................................... 74
Brand, Michael ............................................................................................................................. 215
Briggs, Michael............................................................................................................................. 100
Brown, Stephen............................................................................................................................. 169
Brunella, Franco ........................................................................................................................... 135
Bullinger, Monika ......................................................................................................................... 278
Burnod, Yves ................................................................................................................................ 180
Burns, Tom ................................................................................................................................... 290
Buus, Soeren ................................................................................................................................. 132
Cambon-Thomsen, Anne .............................................................................................................. 328
Cann, Howard ............................................................................................................................... 152
Carmo-Fonseca, Maria.................................................................................................................. 164
Cassiman, Jean-Jacques .................................................................................................................. 77
Cayre, Patrice ................................................................................................................................ 387
Cesbron, Jean-Yves ...................................................................................................................... 233
Chiesa, Vittorio ............................................................................................................................. 329
Chomilier, Jacques ........................................................................................................................ 173
Cicardi, Marco .............................................................................................................................. 113
391
Cohen-Haguenauer, Odile ............................................................................................................ 313
Colver, Allan................................................................................................................................. 289
Corradetti, Renato ......................................................................................................................... 221
Coux, Olivier .................................................................................................................................. 97
Cox, Roger .................................................................................................................................... 360
Cullen, Paul..................................................................................................................................... 44
Daan, Serge ................................................................................................................................... 232
Daha, Mohamed R. ................................................................................................................. 80, 111
Dahlén, Sven-Erik ........................................................................................................................... 64
d'Angelantonio, Marco ................................................................................................................. 292
Dano, Keld ...................................................................................................................................... 62
Dario, Paolo .................................................................................................................................. 287
Day, John ...................................................................................................................................... 365
De Bakker, Dinny ......................................................................................................................... 270
De Beaufort, Inez .......................................................................................................................... 309
De Pedro Cuesta, Jesús ................................................................................................................. 227
De Pouvourville, Gérard ............................................................................................................... 330
De Schutter, Erik .................................................................................................................. 185, 214
de Vries, Sacco ............................................................................................................................. 146
Delabar, Jean-Maurice .................................................................................................................. 103
Dénarié, Jean................................................................................................................................. 147
Deppert, Wolfgang.......................................................................................................................... 30
Deprest, Jan................................................................................................................................... 118
Dickenson; Donna ........................................................................................................................ 297
Dickinson, Anne ........................................................................................................................... 355
392
Dickson, Barry J. .......................................................................................................................... 368
Dinjens, Winand ........................................................................................................................... 378
Distel, Ben .................................................................................................................................... 162
Dominiczak, Anna F ....................................................................................................................... 63
Dominique, Valla .......................................................................................................................... 119
Dornish, Michael ............................................................................................................................ 59
Drame, Hawa ................................................................................................................................ 385
Drexhage, Hemmo .......................................................................................................................... 31
Dreyling, Martin ............................................................................................................................. 57
Dubois-Dalcq, Monique ................................................................................................................ 196
Durant, John .................................................................................................................................. 323
Durston, Antony ........................................................................................................................... 204
Ebbesen, Peter............................................................................................................................... 345
Eccles, John Harald....................................................................................................................... 370
Edelman, Aleksander .................................................................................................................... 156
Edwards, Jeanette ......................................................................................................................... 325
Eilers, Martin .................................................................................................................................. 98
Ferlini, Alessandra ........................................................................................................................ 138
Ferrannini, Eleuterio ....................................................................................................................... 83
Field, John..................................................................................................................................... 120
Findlay, John B.C. .......................................................................................................................... 73
Fitzgerald, Muiris ........................................................................................................................... 78
Fotsis, Theodore ............................................................................................................................. 79
Froguel, Philippe ........................................................................................................................... 130
Frommer, Wolf B.......................................................................................................................... 155
393
Fuchs, Eberhard ............................................................................................................................ 384
Fuxe, Kjell .................................................................................................................................... 208
Galli, Giovanni ............................................................................................................................... 89
Gastpar, Markus ............................................................................................................................ 239
Gérard, Jean-Pierre ....................................................................................................................... 116
Giangrande, Angela ...................................................................................................................... 199
Gibson, Toby J. ............................................................................................................................. 357
Gilbert, Ruth ................................................................................................................................. 279
Giometto, Bruno ........................................................................................................................... 122
Glover, Joel ................................................................................................................................... 160
Goch, Gert....................................................................................................................................... 56
Goffinet, Andre ............................................................................................................................. 192
Gonzalez, Carlos A. ........................................................................................................................ 81
Graf von der Schulenburg, Matthias ............................................................................................. 299
Grandori, Ferdinando .................................................................................................................... 281
Gress, Thomas .............................................................................................................................. 110
Grillner, Sten................................................................................................................................. 210
Grivell, Les ................................................................................................................................... 353
Gros, Daniel .................................................................................................................................... 34
Gundelfinger, Eckart D. ................................................................................................................ 209
Haas, Helmut ................................................................................................................................ 222
Haeggstroem, Jesper Z. ................................................................................................................... 90
Hakenberg, Peter........................................................................................................................... 346
Hambrecht, Martin ........................................................................................................................ 250
Hardie, David Grahame .................................................................................................................. 88
394
Harel-Bellan, Annick ...................................................................................................................... 42
Harris, John ................................................................................................................................... 314
Harris, William ............................................................................................................................. 211
Harwood, Colin R. ........................................................................................................................ 144
Heilig, Markus .............................................................................................................................. 224
Henderson, Christofer ................................................................................................................... 182
Hiddeman, Wolfgang ...................................................................................................................... 57
Hillier, Stephen Gilbert ................................................................................................................. 337
Holm, Soeren ................................................................................................................................ 298
Holthöfer, Harry ............................................................................................................................. 55
Hossmann, Konstantin-Alexander ................................................................................................ 198
Hrabé de Angelis, Martin .............................................................................................. 338, 362, 367
Hume, Robert ................................................................................................................................ 197
Ibáñez, Carlos F. ........................................................................................................................... 181
Ibba, Michael ................................................................................................................................ 131
Iftner, Thomas............................................................................................................................... 246
Isola, Jorma ..................................................................................................................................... 66
Ivics, Zoltán .................................................................................................................................. 148
Jacobs, Howard Trevor ................................................................................................................... 75
Jalkanen, Sirpa ................................................................................................................................ 32
Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta ...................................................................................................................... 71
Jiricny, Josef ................................................................................................................................... 65
Johnson, Garth .............................................................................................................................. 282
Johnson, Paul ................................................................................................................................ 262
Jones, Rhodri ............................................................................................................................ 51, 69
395
Jordi, Alonso ................................................................................................................................. 277
Juenemann, Klaus-Peter................................................................................................................ 283
Kallert, Thomas W. ............................................................................................................... 249, 268
Kaptein, Robert ..................................................................................................................... 142, 150
Keininger, Dorothy ....................................................................................................................... 354
Kennedy, Henry ............................................................................................................................ 189
Kilpi, Terhi ................................................................................................................................... 244
King, Michael ............................................................................................................................... 264
Kioussis, Dimitris ......................................................................................................................... 145
Koenig, Michel ............................................................................................................................... 36
Kofler, Reinhard ............................................................................................................................. 92
Kolch, Walter ................................................................................................................................ 168
Kollias, Georges ............................................................................................................................. 29
Koornneef, Maarten ...................................................................................................................... 154
Krausz, Michael .................................................................................................................... 260, 273
Kretzschmar, Hans ........................................................................................................................ 356
Kroemer; Guido .............................................................................................................................. 40
Ladenstein, Ruth ........................................................................................................................... 379
Laoussadi, Saddek ........................................................................................................................ 366
Lassmann, Hans ............................................................................................................................ 218
Leduc, Michèle ............................................................................................................................... 70
Lefranc, Marie-Paule .................................................................................................................... 149
Lehmann, Alan R. ........................................................................................................................... 28
Lehmann, Sylvain ......................................................................................................................... 216
Leigh, Peter Nigel ........................................................................................................................... 67
396
Lemonnier, François ....................................................................................................................... 38
Lendahl, Urban ............................................................................................................................. 202
Leslie, Richard David Graham ..................................................................................................... 123
Leunissen, J.A.M. ......................................................................................................................... 364
Lie, Reider Krummradt ................................................................................................................. 301
Lindley, Keith ................................................................................................................................. 52
Los, Wouter .................................................................................................................................. 375
Lubinski, Jan ................................................................................................................................. 335
Luini, Alberto ............................................................................................................................... 376
Maj, Mario .................................................................................................................................... 248
Malas, Stavros............................................................................................................................... 225
March Cerdá, Joan Carles ............................................................................................................. 263
Markstein, Catherine ..................................................................................................................... 302
Marth, Thomas .............................................................................................................................. 107
Martinez, Salvador ........................................................................................................................ 203
Martini, Alberto .............................................................................................................................. 53
Marty, Alain .................................................................................................................................. 217
Mathers, Nigel .............................................................................................................................. 238
Matthijs, Gert .................................................................................................................................. 48
Mayr, Winfried ............................................................................................................................. 288
McClelland, Roy ........................................................................................................................... 315
McGrath, John C. ............................................................................................................................ 27
McKeigue, Paul ............................................................................................................................ 383
Meairs, Stephen ............................................................................................................................ 115
Mewes, Hans-Werner ........................................................................................................... 339, 369
397
Meyerhof, Wolfgang ..................................................................................................................... 187
Mockenhaupt, Maja ...................................................................................................................... 121
Moens, Luc ................................................................................................................................... 229
Mordini, Emilio ............................................................................................................................ 316
Möröy, Tarik ................................................................................................................................... 33
Moser, Edvard............................................................................................................................... 179
Moynagh, Paul ................................................................................................................................ 35
Multon, Marie-Christine ................................................................................................................. 82
Navarro Garcia, Miguel ................................................................................................................ 255
Neeteson, Anne-Marie A. ............................................................................................................. 324
Negrini, Massimo ......................................................................................................................... 134
Neher, Erwin ................................................................................................................................. 101
Nesvadba, Paul ............................................................................................................................. 358
Neumann, Wolfgang ..................................................................................................................... 266
Newbold, Jamie C. ........................................................................................................................ 350
Newbold, Robert F. ......................................................................................................................... 47
Oertel, Wolfgang H....................................................................................................................... 372
Olek, Alexander ............................................................................................................................ 341
Olin, Patrick .................................................................................................................................. 243
Orban, Guy A. ............................................................................................................................... 193
Ottersen, Ole Petter ....................................................................................................................... 213
Oxman, Andrew ............................................................................................................................ 265
Paoletti, Rodolfo ........................................................................................................................... 104
Papiernik, Emile ........................................................................................................................... 257
Pawelec, Graham .......................................................................................................................... 363
398
Peake, Ian........................................................................................................................................ 49
Pedotti, Antonio ............................................................................................................................ 291
Peers, Bernard ............................................................................................................................... 127
Pelicci, Pier Giuseppe ..................................................................................................................... 95
Peltonen, Leena ............................................................................................................................. 172
Pereira, Andy ................................................................................................................................ 159
Peter, Hans Hartmut ........................................................................................................................ 91
Petit, Christine .............................................................................................................................. 141
Piet, Gerjan J. ................................................................................................................................ 373
Piper, Ian ............................................................................................................................... 226, 343
Poller, Leon................................................................................................................................... 259
Priebe, Stefan ................................................................................................................................ 285
Protopapas, Athanassios ............................................................................................................... 286
Przybylski, Michael ...................................................................................................................... 166
Pyykkö, Ilmari .............................................................................................................................. 230
Rasmuson – Lestander, Aasa ........................................................................................................ 347
Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike ................................................................................................................ 245
Reben, Mati................................................................................................................................... 201
Reed, Valentine ............................................................................................................................. 284
Reiber, Johan .................................................................................................................................. 72
Richardson, James .......................................................................................................................... 51
Rinneberg, Herbert.......................................................................................................................... 58
Rizzolatti, Giacomo ...................................................................................................................... 220
Rocchi, Mariano ........................................................................................................................... 377
Rohrer, Hermann .......................................................................................................................... 191
399
Roland, Per ................................................................................................................................... 184
Rollier, Giovanni Martino ............................................................................................................... 87
Romeo, Giovanni ............................................................................................................................ 93
Romer, Georg ............................................................................................................................... 261
Rossier, Jean ................................................................................................................................. 183
Roudsari, Abdul ............................................................................................................................ 332
Ruggero, Pardi ................................................................................................................................ 45
Ruperto, Nicolino ........................................................................................................................... 53
Ryan, Peter .................................................................................................................................... 252
Sahin, Ugur ................................................................................................................................... 143
Sampaio, Eliana ............................................................................................................................ 205
Sanderson, Mark Rutherford ........................................................................................................... 25
Scanlan, David .............................................................................................................................. 171
Scarfone, Eric ............................................................................................................................... 200
Schadendorf, Dirk ......................................................................................................................... 102
Schaefer, Franz ............................................................................................................................. 105
Schaper, Nicolaas ......................................................................................................................... 272
Schedl, Andreas ............................................................................................................................ 133
Schena, Francesco Paolo................................................................................................................. 50
Schmitt-Verhulst, Anne-Marie ....................................................................................................... 37
Schofield, Paul .............................................................................................................................. 336
Schots, Arjen................................................................................................................................. 158
Schramm, Wolfgang ..................................................................................................................... 331
Schreiber, Stefan ........................................................................................................................... 167
Schroeder, Fritz H. ........................................................................................................................ 352
400
Schulz-Schaeffer, Walter .............................................................................................................. 106
Schwartz, Ketty............................................................................................................................... 43
Secombes, Chris ........................................................................................................................... 388
Seeger, Werner ............................................................................................................................. 108
Shaw, William Christie ................................................................................................................... 60
Shickle, Darren ............................................................................................................................. 318
Small, Ian ...................................................................................................................................... 175
Smith, C.I. Edvard .......................................................................................................................... 85
Smith, Ulf ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Sokoloff, Pierre ............................................................................................................................. 237
Spash, Clive .................................................................................................................................. 326
Sprung, Charles............................................................................................................................. 300
Stackebrandt, Erko ........................................................................................................................ 359
Steiner, Rudolf ................................................................................................................................ 68
Stevens, Alex ................................................................................................................................ 271
Stockbrügger, Reinhold W. .......................................................................................................... 247
Stockley, Robert ........................................................................................................................... 153
Storm-Mathisen, Jon ..................................................................................................................... 212
Stuart, David Ian ........................................................................................................................... 170
Stürzbecher, Horst-Werner ............................................................................................................. 41
Sutcliffe, Alastair Gordon ............................................................................................................. 241
Tadd, Winifred .............................................................................................................................. 305
Tavitian, Bertrand ........................................................................................................................... 54
ter Meulen, Ruud .......................................................................................................................... 304
Ter Meulen, Ruud ......................................................................................................................... 308
401
Thiene, Gaetano .............................................................................................................................. 61
Thiesen, Hans-Jürgen...................................................................................................................... 86
Thomas, Lion ................................................................................................................................ 114
Thornicroft, Graham ..................................................................................................................... 256
Thrasher, Adrian James .................................................................................................................. 46
Truve, Erkki .................................................................................................................................. 174
Tzartos, Socrates ........................................................................................................................... 206
Van Arendonk, Johan ................................................................................................................... 374
Van Bokhoven, Ir. Hans ............................................................................................................... 231
Van Camp, W. .............................................................................................................................. 129
Van Der Arend, Arie ............................................................................................................. 306, 317
Van der Maas, Paul J. ................................................................................................................... 303
van Eden, Willem ......................................................................................................................... 112
van Hintum, Theo ......................................................................................................................... 351
Van Ravenswaaij-Arts, Conny...................................................................................................... 381
Veraart, Claude ............................................................................................................................. 280
Villaroel, Alvaro ........................................................................................................................... 186
Vionnet, Nathalie .......................................................................................................................... 163
Wahlbeck, Kristian ....................................................................................................................... 348
Walach, Harald ............................................................................................................................. 242
Wanders, Ronald J.A. ................................................................................................................... 219
Wehland, Jürgen ........................................................................................................................... 139
Wetzker, Reinhard .......................................................................................................................... 99
White, Charles .............................................................................................................................. 157
Wield, David ................................................................................................................................. 327
402
Wiesemann, Claudia ..................................................................................................................... 311
Wijnholds, Jan .............................................................................................................................. 228
Williams, John .............................................................................................................................. 380
Wilson, Keith Sanderson .............................................................................................................. 340
Wolfe, Charles .............................................................................................................................. 269
Zambruno, Giovanna ...................................................................................................................... 96
Zerr, Inga ...................................................................................................................................... 117
Zucco, Maria Flavia ...................................................................................................................... 307
403
Thematic Index
arythmia, 262
arythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy,
61
asphyxia, 113
assessment, 308
atherosclerosis, 32, 44, 89, 104
auditory nerve, 230
autism, 140
auto- and xenofluorescence, 68
autoimmunity, 92, 94, 96
autologous chondrocyte implantation, 51
automated annotation, 344
axenic culture, 350
2
2-deoxyglucose, 193
3
3D dimensional analysis, 27
3D electron microscopy, 349
3D images, 56
3D structure, 206
A
B
access to care, 257
acetylation, 42
acute leukemias, 95
adaptive traits, 154
addiction crime, 271
adenosine, 208
adverse, 383
adverse drug effects, 121
adverse events, 243
aetiological factors, 252
age-related disease, 337
agricultural GMO, 326
alcohol drinking, 253
alcohol problems, 253
alcoholism, 224, 255
alfa1-antitrypsin, 153
algae, 365
algorithms, 371
alternative, 307
androgen receptor, 93
angiogenesis, 79, 82
angiogenic therapies, 82
angiostatin, 59
animal breeding, 324
animal experimentati, 307
animal models, 228
anklylosing spondylitis, 366
annotation of gene structure, 161
anthropomorphic phantoms, 194
anticoagulation, 259
antidepressants, 221
anti-melanoma therapies, 37
apoptosis, 40, 92, 93, 181, 201
aquaculture, 388
arabidopsis, 128, 129
arabidopsis gene, 175
Arctic charr, 370
arthritis, 112
articular cartilage, 51
bacillus subtilis, 144
bacterial microflora, 26
bank, 385
benzoquinoid ansamycins, 66
best practices, 329
best practise, 268
biochemical terminology, 361
biocomputing, 173
biodiversity, 375
bioethics, 298, 306, 309, 312, 313, 314, 316
bioinformatics, 137, 142, 161, 339, 357, 364,
369
biological collections, 355
biological markers, 71
biological material, 385
biological resource centres, 359
biological risk factors, 57
biomarkers, 54, 64, 120
biomedical ethics, 297, 300
biomedicine, 311
biotech, 329
biotechnology, 311, 319, 365
bladder function, 283
blindness, 205
blood monocyte, 31
brain, 14, 59, 140, 179, 180, 184, 187, 192, 193,
194, 195, 197, 198, 202, 204, 205, 213
brain bank, 356
brain development, 195, 204
brain diseases, 356
brain expressed candidate genes, 140
brain inflammation, 218
brain injury, 226, 343
brain ischemia, 198
brain stem neurone, 160
brain theory, 180
brain tumour, 59
brain-monitoring, 343
404
breast cancer, 258
breast lesions, 58
chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, 70
chronic renal failure, 111
circadian rhythms, 232
CJD, 117
Cl inhibitor, 113
clinical applications, 376
clinical course, 61, 64
clinical flow cytometry, 342
clinical implementation, 313
clinical network, 372
clinical practice, 304
clinical rehabilitation, 288
clinical studies, 62, 237
clinical trial, 379
clock genes, 232
cloning, 127, 130, 133, 147
clostridial neurotoxin, 217
cluster, 329
cocaine, 260
cochlear electrode prothesis, 200
cochlear implant, 230
coercion, 268
colitis, 35
colorectal cancer, 165
community care, 285
community-based mental health, 252
co-morbidity, 254
complement, 80
complementary and alternative medicine, 266
complex genetic disoorder, 167
complications, 163
computational and experimental analysis, 210
computational neurosciences, 185
computational tools, 364
computer aided diagnosis, 56
computer tomography, 72
computer-dosage, 259
conditional knock-out mice, 168
conductive film, 280
confidentiality, 315
confocal laser microscopy, 27
confocal laser scanning microscopy, 190
congenital toxoplasmosis, 279
consent, 308
conservation, 370
consultative institutions, 326
continuous care, 302
contractile proteins, 281
COPD, 291
cord blood, 346
core infrastructural resource, 347
cortical and spinal operations, 180
cortical development, 192
cost-effectiveness, 259, 330
cost-effectiveness analysis, 249
crack, 260
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, 227
cryopreservation, 365
C
cancer, 7, 25, 28, 30, 33, 40, 41, 42, 47, 58, 59,
62, 65, 68, 74, 76, 97, 143, 170, 246, 266,
335, 336, 352
cancer family syndrome, 335
cancer genes, 134
cancer theraphy, 42
cancer therapy, 102, 116
cancer treatment, 41
candidate genes, 39, 52, 60, 151
capacity, 308
cardiovascular, 7, 27, 34, 44, 63, 71, 337
cardiovascular disease, 63, 71, 83
case-control studies, 227
cattle, 380
cDNA array technology, 39
cell and data bank, 102
cell biology, 155
cell communication, 207, 215
cell cycle, 33, 129, 191
cell cycle progression, 98
cell death, 33, 36, 40, 158, 182, 201
cell survival, 181, 229
cell therapy, 200
central nervous system, 190, 196
cereals, 159
cerebellum, 214
cerebral cortex, 184, 192
cerebral plasy, 289
cervical cancer screening, 246
CGDS, 48
channel, 34, 186
chemotherapy, 40, 66
child and family outcomes, 241
childhood health, 279
children, 105
children at risk, 245, 261
children with disabilities, 278
chimerism, 114
cholesterol, 89
chromatin, 145, 341
chromosome 11q23, 134
chromosome 21, 103
chromosome 22, 152
chromosome 3, 175
chromosome aberration, 381
chronic diseases, 101
chronic fatigue syndrome, 242
chronic health conditions, 245
chronic immunopathologies, 29
chronic inflammatory disorders, 90
chronic non-fatal disease, 247
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 78
405
crystallography, 25, 340
cultural differences, 324
culture, 325
culture collection, 359
cystatin B gene, 201
cystic fibrosis, 77, 156
cytogenetics, 381
donor registries, 328
dopamine, 208
Down syndrome, 103
drosophila, 368
drosophila megalonaster, 199
drug, 383
drug addiction, 14, 237
drug dependent offenders, 271
drug safety, 53
drug screening, 36, 42
drug users, 263
drugs, 14, 20, 30, 42, 47, 182, 186, 195, 238,
254
dual diagnostic, 267
D
data acquisition, 339
database, 30, 48, 51, 52, 122, 128, 143, 144,
149, 184, 243, 286, 297, 336, 339, 348, 349,
352, 354, 361, 363, 369, 373, 382, 386
database linkage, 353
databases, 312
databases network, 330
deafness, 141, 186
decision making, 300, 303, 304
decision process, 299
degenerative diseases, 97
demyelation, 196
denervated degenerated muscle, 288
depression, 264
deregulation in human tumours, 98
developing countries, 301
development, 101
diabetes, 7, 31, 32, 39, 68, 88, 101, 112, 127,
130, 163, 278
diabetes mellitus, 83
diabetic foot, 272
diagnosis, 117, 219
diagnosis and management, 49
diagnostic standard, 114
diagnostic strategies, 65
DiaPep277, 123
differences in health care, 303
differential gene expression, 29
differentiation, 33, 42, 70, 127, 133, 191, 192,
196, 199
digital expression pattern display, 198
disability, 67, 130, 250, 256, 277, 279, 282
disease, 27, 29, 34, 35, 36, 40, 44, 46, 48, 50,
52, 53, 54, 55, 61, 63, 64, 65, 67, 71, 72, 133,
135, 139, 186, 187, 194, 196, 201, 202, 204,
244, 247, 279, 337, 338, 341, 344
disease registers, 269
disease-based registries, 85
distant healing, 242
DNA and protein microarrays, 164
DNA arrays, 171
DNA damage, 25
DNA microarray technology, 160
DNA microarrays, 224
DNA repair, 28
DNA sequencing, 380
DNA-methylation, 341
E
E2F, 98
early detection, 120
early diagnosis, 38, 48, 70
early programming, 384
education, 317
electron microscopy, 206
electronic tags, 387
electrophysiology, 189
embryogenesis, 204
embryology, 215
emphysema, 70, 72, 153
enabling factors, 329
encapsulated cell technology, 59
encephalitis, 218
endocannabinoids, 255
end-of-life, 300, 303
end-of-life decisions, 303
endostatin, 59
endothelium, 45
enzymology, 32
epidemiology, 388
epilepsy, 186, 201, 207, 278
epithelial adhesion, 96
ErbB-2, 66
ethical codes, 306
ethical theories, 318
ethical/social evaluation, 307
ethics, 308, 317, 319
ethics committees, 298, 301
etiopathogenesis, 61
eukaryotic proteins, 357
Eurobarometer, 323
European Drosophila network, 347
European reference standards, 342
European register, 113
European search catalogue, 351
evaluation, 332
evidence based, 242, 272, 304
evidence-based policies, 303
evidence-based treatment, 348
406
excitatory synapses, 183
exocytosis, 217
expertise, 327
genetic risk, 355
genetic screening, 108
genetic susceptibility, 78, 81
genetics, 43, 91, 147, 163, 297, 312, 325, 339,
347, 382
genome, 369, 386
genome analysis, 153
genome comparison, 377
genome database, 339
genome modification, 29
genome research, 362, 367
genomic and proteomic data, 371
genomic bank, 366
genomic DNA bank, 50
genomics, 35, 130, 135, 147, 149, 158, 159,
167, 171, 174, 380
genotype, 28, 46, 50, 61, 148, 335
genotyping, 63, 338
gestation, 69
glaucoma prevention, 56
glia, 212
global expression, 144
globalisation, 316
glucocorticoids, 384
glutamate, 212
glutamate receptor, 213
glutamate receptors, 188
GM crops, 327
gonads, 133
guidelines, 51, 243, 301, 304, 345, 348
F
family collection, 366
farm animal, 374
fertilization event, 146
fetal transplantation, 69
fetoscopy, 118
fish, 358, 382
Fish, 373
folding, 173
food mood sleep, 222
forebrain development, 215
frameworks, 308
frequency phaplotypes, 152
Friedriech's ataxia, 36
frozen tumour, 378
functional genomic, 148
functional genomics, 55, 86, 128, 129, 131, 135,
136, 137, 147, 148, 161, 162, 347, 368
functional low-resolution, 194
functional memory disorder, 242
functional motif, 357
functional study, 138
G
GAD, 123
gastric cancer, 81
gastroenterology, 247
GDNF, 223
gender, 253, 267
gene cascades, 204
gene expression, 39, 44, 128, 136, 137, 138,
144, 160, 164, 198, 341
gene function, 29, 128, 133, 140, 148
gene networks, 144, 151
gene silencing, 174
gene targeting, 157
gene therapy, 76, 228
gene transcription, 195
gene transfer technology, 313
gene-gene interaction, 60
genes molecular diagnostic tests, 141
genetic, 383
genetic analysis, 231
genetic disease, 100
genetic epidemiolgy, 172
genetic hearing impairment, 87
genetic manipulation, 52
genetic marker, 50
genetic markers, 71
genetic predisposition, 156
genetic resources, 374
H
haematopoesis, 33, 151
haemophilia, 331
haemorrhage, 251
hand-held technology, 332
harmonisation, 258
health care, 270, 309
health care organisations, 270
health care system, 272
health economics, 67, 238, 330, 331
health service, 261
health services, 257
healthcare, 265
healthcare quality, 269
health-related quality of life, 354
heart disease, 88, 262
heat shock protein, 112
Helicobacter pylori, 81
hemachromatosis, 38
hepatic vessels, 119
hereditary angioedema, 113
hereditary deafness, 141
heteromerisation, 208
HFE, 38
high-density SNP scanning, 78
407
high-risk patient, 273
high-throughput genotyping, 172
hippocampus, 179
histone deacetylases, 95
home monitoring, 262, 332
hormonal programming, 384
HPV, 246
human dignity, 305
human epigenome, 341
hypothalamus, 222
hypoxia, 229
interoperability, 361
intracerebral transplantation, 199
intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 241
inventories, 351
iodothyronine metabolism, 197
ion channels, 77
J
juvenile dermatomyositis, 53
juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, 53
I
K
identity, 325
IgA nephopathy, 50
ill parents, 261
images and molecular description, 336
imitation, 220
immune recognition, 132
immunization, 243
immunodeficiency, 91
immunogenecity, 143
immunogenetic defect, 107
immunoglobulin, 149
immunology, 91
immunotheraphy, 37
impatient treatment, 249
infantile hyperinsulinism, 52
infection, 106
infections, 227
infectious, 80
inflammation, 26, 45, 99
inflammatory, 97
inflammatory bowel disease, 26, 35, 247
inflammatory disease, 337
informatics, 375
information, 375
information access and retrieval, 353
information network, 311
information systems, 374
information technology, 359
infrastructure, 377
inherited disease, 228
inherited diseases, 367
inner ear, 200
instrumented buoy, 387
insulin dependant diabetes, 31
insulin resistance, 39
insulin sensitivity, 83
integrated database, 139
integrated functional genomics, 169
integrated layer, 371
interaction, 155
Internet, 370
internet based assessment, 343
Internet-based tools, 265
keratinocytes, 74
kidney, 111
kidney glomerular gene expression, 55
L
LADA, 123
law, 298, 300, 308
learning and memory, 188
leukaemia, 92, 346
leukocyte, 32, 45
leukocyte trafficking, 32
leukotrienes, 90
life sciences, 7, 323
light microscopy, 376
linkage disequilibrium, 152
listeria, 139
literature, 309
long-term clinical follow-up, 258
low/moderate penetrance genes, 165
LTP, 188
lung cancer, 120
lung function test, 72
M
macromolecular structure, 349
macrophage function, 44
magnetic resonance imaging, 70
major histocompatibility complex, 341
mammalian cells, 345
mantle cell lymphoma, 57
MAPK pathway, 168
marker set, 62
marrow graft, 328
mass spectrometry, 166
mathematical models, 244, 246
MBLectin pathway, 80
MDMA lesion, 221
measurement, 282
medicago truncatula, 147
melanoma, 102
408
memory, 179, 188, 242
meningeal space, 287
mental disorders, 13, 14, 192, 277
mental health, 248, 277, 348
mental health care, 277
mental retardation, 231
metabolic disease, 48
methadone maintenance treatment, 263
methods, 319
MHC, 132, 149, 341
microarray, 135
microbial infections, 131
microendoscopy, 287
microfluids, 166
microsatellite instability, 65
mirror system, 220
mitochondrial biogenesis, 75
mitochondrial myopathies, 131
mobile support teams, 302
model organism, 75
modelling, 214
modular assessment, 278
molecular and cellular techniques, 192
molecular and clinical markers, 49
molecular characterization, 57, 183
molecular diagnosis, 100
molecular genetic analysis, 211
molecular imaging, 54
molecular markers, 54, 63, 154
molecular pathology, 36, 61
molecular studies, 90
molecular target genes, 110
molecular targets, 103
monitoring, 115
monochronic twins, 118
monocyte related tests, 31
motor control, 14, 180
mouse model, 169
mouse mutants, 338, 362, 367
mucosal immune, 26
multi-parameter searching, 363
multiphoton excitation, 190
multiple chemical sensitivity, 242
multiple sclerosis, 196, 218
murine models, 86
muscle dystrophy, 43
mutant mouse model, 160
mutant P53, 30
mutant transgenic organism, 151
mutations in the Cx26, 87
myasthenia gravis, 94
Myc, 98
mycorrhizal fungi, 147
myelin disfunction, 203
myelofibrosis, 109
myoclonic epilepsy, 201
myopathies, 43, 131
N
narcolepsy, 222
natural apomixis, 146
neocortex, 183
nephrin, 55
network analysis, 179
neural stemm cells, 202
neuroanatomy, 189
neurobiology, 170, 231
neuroblastoma, 379
neurodegeneration, 216
neurodegenerative diseases, 67, 187, 202
neuro-degenerative diseases, 182
neuroepithelial cells, 203
neuroglobin, 229
neuroinformatics, 184, 185, 189
neuromodulation, 283
neuron generation, 191
neuronal networks, 210
neuronal phenotypes, 191
neurone, 212
neurons, 182, 183, 189, 192, 200
neuropharmaceuticals, 209
neuroprostheses, 280
neuroscience, 207
neurotransmitter, 207
neurotrophin receptor, 93
neurotrophins, 230
new medication, 237
nflammation, 167
nicotine, 255
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, 206
NMR, 25, 58, 142, 150, 349
NMR spectroscopy, 142
non-invasive imaging, 14, 58, 193
non-plyposis colon cancer, 65
nuclear hormone receptors, 195
nuclear receptors, 89
nucleoside analogue, 76
nucleotide excission repair, 25
nursing, 317
nursing ethics, 306
O
obstetrics, 251
occupational hazards, 240
occupational stress, 252
oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, 164
offender group, 284
older people, 305
oligocleotide ligands, 54
oligodendrocytes, 203
oncogenic functions, 30
open standards, 226
opiate addicts, 273
409
opioid addicts, 239
optical mammography, 58
optical spectroscopy, 68
organogenesis, 127
orofacial clefting, 60
ortho-logo-paedia, 286
osteoarthritis, 51
osteoclast vacuolar ATPase, 73
osteoporosis, 73
otoacoustic emission, 281
outcome, 109
outcome measures, 36, 51, 53, 238, 239
outcomes, 46, 238, 246, 279, 304
oxydative stress, 233
oxygen tension, 345
plaque stability, 44
plasticity, 214
plethysmography, 291
Pnc conjugate vaccines, 244
policy development, 326
policy makers, 244, 300, 301, 303, 324, 352
polygenes, 77
population survey, 299
posttransplant, 114
potassium chanel, 186
PPH registry, 108
practitioner education, 297
precaution, 327
prediction, 250
pre-leukemic syndrome, 151
prenatal treatment, 279
preterm birth, 257
preterm infants, 197
primary immunodeficiency, 85
primate, 377
prion, 216
prion protein, 117
privacy, 310, 315
processing, 358
professional drivers, 240
profiling battery, 284
progression, 105
progressive supranuclear palsy, 67
propagating plants, 146
prostate cancer, 352
protein classification, 344
protein glycosylation, 48
protein inhibitors, 73
protein kinase, 88
protein sequence, 344
proteinuria, 55
proteome, 156
proteomics, 155, 159, 166, 168, 225
PrPSc path, 106
psoriasis, 74
psychiatric day hospital treatment, 249
psychiatry, 268
psychoeducational family intervention, 248
psychological, 293
psychometric evaluation, 354
psychosis, 254
psychosocial services, 263
public health, 264, 316
public health policy, 318
public perception, 323
public policies, 298
public policy, 298, 300
pulm hypertension, 108
pulsed near-infrared laser light, 58
putative autoimmune epitopes, 132
P
p19ARF, 98
p53, 30, 41
P53 inhibitory drugs, 30
palliative care/terminal care, 302
pancreas, 52, 127
pancreatic cancer, 110
paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, 122
paraplegia, 288
Parkinson, 223
Parkinson-plus syndromes, 67
Parkinson's disease, 372
participation, 289
pathogen, 388
pathogenesis, 84
pathogenic microorganisms, 132
pathogenic models, 75
pathogenomics, 139
pathomechanisms, 209
pathophysiology, 29, 33, 46, 233
patient needs, 278
pelagic ecosystem, 387
perinatal death, 118
peroxisome, 84
personal information, 315
PET technology, 116
pharmaceutical applications, 376
phenotype-genotype correlations, 335
phenotypic criteria, pathogenic models, 87
phenotypic descript, 338
phenotypic variability, 103
phenotyping protocols, 169
phytoplankton, 171
PI 3-kinase, 99
plant breeding, 154
plant endosymbioses, 147
plant genetic resources, 351
plant genomics, 369
plant viruses, 174
plants, 157
410
Q
S
QTL mapping, 360
quality assessment, 342
quality control, 352
quality improvement, 265
quality management, 270
quality of care, 292
quality of life, 7, 16, 46, 51, 67, 192, 198, 201,
242, 245, 249, 256, 277, 278, 285, 289, 292,
331, 337, 342, 348, 352
quasi-compulsory treatment, 271
sample bank, 117, 121, 122
sample banks, 111
schizophrenia, 248, 250, 256
Scrapie-BSE-TSEs, 106
screening, 143, 237, 246, 279, 352
sensory substitution, 205
sequencing, 107
serotonin system, 221
service provision, 267
severe asthma, 64
severe mental illnes, 290
severe psychosis, 285
sex determination, 133
SH3 domains, 162
signalling, 34, 45, 46, 181, 182, 187, 195, 196
single nucleotide polymorphism, 63
singleton children, 241
skeletal dysplasia, 100
SNP genotyping, 360
SNP map, 368
social function, 239
social risk, 284
somatic gene transfer, 46
somatic genetics, 37
somatic mutations, 52, 151
somatostatin, 187
spasticity, 282
spectroscopy, 158
speech disorder, 286
spinal cord, 225, 287
spiral cuff nerve electrode, 280
splicing, 138
R
radio-resistance, 116
randomised trial, 251
rare disease, 84
rare diseases, 385
rare liver disorders, 119
rare/chronic disease, 96
rationing, 299
recombination, 157
Refsum's disease, 219
register, 381
registries, 335
registry, 121
regulatable expression, 145
regulation, 314
rehabilitation, 291, 292
remote support, 293
renal failure, 105
renal fibrosis, 111
repair proteins, 25
research, 310
research ethics, 297, 301
respiratory system, 90
restoration, 283
RET, 223
RET-expressing cells, 93
retinal stem cells, 211
retrograde inhibition, 217
review, 310
rheumatoid arthritis, 35, 86
riluzole, progessive neurodegenerative disease,
67
risk assesment, 233
risk assessment, 252
risk prediction, 264
RNA in situ hybrid, 136
RNA interference, 175
RNA metabolism, 161
rodent model, 360
rumen protozoa, 350
ß
ß1 integrin, 74
S
staff training, 248
standardisation, 356, 361
standardised histological measurement, 258
standardised screening, 245
standardized data exchange, 150
stem cell transplantation, 46, 69, 114
stem cells, 314
stems cells, 225
steroid, 337
streptococus pneumoniae, 244
stroke, 115, 269
structural analysis, 73, 142
structural biology, 340
structural data, 340
structural genomics, 162
structural imaging, 194
411
structural proteomics, 170
structure determination process, 150
support need, 260, 273
supported employment, 290
suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), 232
survey, 373
sympathetic hyperactivity, 262
synapse, 209, 213
twin cohorts, 172
twin transfusion, 118
two hybrid, 137
type 2 diabetes, 39
typing policies, 328
tyrosine kinase, 109
U
T
ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, 97
ultrasound, 115
universal newborn hearing screening, 281
T cell receptors, 149
targeted therapy, 95
technology, 358
telemedicine, 379
telepsychiatry, 293
telomerase, 47
temporal cortex, 220
text mining, 386
TGF-beta signalling, 79
thematic network, 185, 337, 345
therapeutic agent, 202
therapy, 30, 33, 42, 44, 46, 47, 53, 54, 59, 62,
65, 66, 67, 69, 143, 198, 199, 200, 202, 219,
249, 302, 337, 346
thrombosis, 119
thymus, 94
thyroid hormone insufficiency, 197
tissue banking, 378
tissue protease systems, 62
toll-like receptors, 35
training needs, 297
transcription, 26, 28, 39, 195
transcription factor, 28, 137
transcriptional control genes, 191
transgenic animals, 200
transgenic locus, 145
transgenic rodents, 336
transgenic/ko mice, 38
transplantable hematopoietic stem cells, 346
transplantation, 355
transposon technology, 148
treatment, 224
trial center, 372
Tropheryma whipplei, 107
TSE, 216
tumor inhibitors, 66
tumor progression, 37, 62
tumor suppressor, 37, 41
tumorgenesis, 134
tumorigenesis, 93, 165
tumour cell line, 363
V
vaccination strategy, 244
vaccine safety, 243
vascular adhesion protein 1, 32
vascular events, 104
vascular structure, 27
vasculogenesis, 79
vertebrate eye, 211
vertebrate nervous system, 199
vibration research, 240
virtual bank, 378
virtual culture collection, 350
virtual repository, 362
visual cortical regions, 193
vocational rehabilitation, 290
von Willebrands disease, 49
vulnerability, 305
W
web portal, 364
Whipple's disease, 107
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, 46
X
X-chromosome, 135
xenopus tropicalis, 148
xeroderma, 28
X-ray structure, 206
Z
zona limitans intrathalamica, 215
412