Report stimulates more money for European TSE research
The European Commission's Research DG is to inject more EU funds into TSE (Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies) research following the completion of an inventory detailing research being carried out at the Member State and European level identifying a number of weaknesses. The inventory has been constructed by a group of leading experts established by the EU's Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin. The report claims that the European research effort is handicapped by several factors, such as the lack of well characterised sample materials, limited availability of animal models and cell lines and a lack of trained scientists to carry out research. The paper calls for increased coordination, networking, better communication and exchange of results between the national efforts in order to strengthen the European approach. The Research DG is to tackle the weaknesses by injecting more funds into the relevant research activities. A forthcoming call for proposals will address some of the major issues such as better coordination of research efforts and opening up of ongoing research capacities in Europe. The call will also focus on a limited number of issues such as research leading to the development of live tests, inactivation of prions, animal TSE transmission and the risk to humans. The inventory includes information from Member States as well as Iceland, Norway and Israel on current national research activities. It also includes activities undertaken by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and those funded by the Research DG. The group of experts was created following a suggestion made at the Research Council on 16 November 2000. 'The inventory will help to promote complementarity and increased coherence into European research efforts in a field of research which is crucial for the well-being of European citizens. The creation of the inventory is a practical example of how the European Research Area, which is being realised by the Commission and the Member States, can help to bring forward a combined and stronger response in Europe,' said Commissioner Busquin.