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3. Priorities for the 6th Framework Programme (FP6: 2002-2006)
Recent review of current knowledge and remaining uncertainty by the Commission has served to identify research priorities in radiation protection for FP6. The main thrust of research in this area is to resolve uncertainties in the risk from exposures to radiation at low and protracted doses typical of those encountered in the environment and in workplaces. This remains a controversial science and policy issue with important health and economic implications for the use of radiation and radioactive materials in both medicine and industry.
Quantification of these risks will be achieved through epidemiological studies of exposed populations complemented by fundamental research on the interaction between radiation and DNA, cells and organs in the body.
One novel aspect of the research in FP6 is the integrated multi-disciplinary approach that should gather a critical mass of scientists to address ambitious research goals. Therefore, the studies in FP6 should be carried out within fewer projects (but with a broader perspective and possibly including more partners) involving, inter alia, epidemiology, radiobiology, medicine and dosimetry.
Cellular and molecular biology research in FP6 may be viewed as a more focused development of the advances made in FP4 and FP5, particularly in key areas where coherent scientific themes on low dose response have emerged.
All potentially important mechanisms should be addressed, from initial damage to health effects manifested in the organism. In particular, the following aspects could be included: the biological consequences of damage to DNA and other cellular macro-molecules and structures; interference of the various DNA repair pathways with other cellular processes (e.g. transcription, replication, apoptosis, chromatin remodelling); the role of intra/extra-cellular communication in tissue functions; unravelling the mechanisms of and susceptibility to radiation health effects; elucidation of the relevance of radiation-induced cellular endpoints (e.g. genomic instability, bystander effects, chromosomal aberrations and mutations) in the cancer process; further development of mechanistic models describing the multi-stage process of carcinogenesis.
The research should, in the first instance, be addressed through one or a few integrated multi-disciplinary projects involving, inter-alia, radiobiology, genetics, molecular biology, biophysics and oncology.
The variability of radiation response within a human population and the identification of the molecular pathways contributing to susceptibility to radiation health effects will be important outcomes of this research.
Although it should not be expected that FP6 research would resolve all remaining uncertainties, the Commission regards FP6 as a most important phase of transition towards a much more complete understanding of the potential risk to health following exposure to low doses of ionising radiation. |
