Commission funds ambitious genome research projects
The European Commission has awarded 39.4 million euro to three large scale scientific projects on genomics in a bid to gear up European research on the study of genes and their function. The funding, awarded under the Quality of Life programme of the present Fifth Framework programme (FP5), is a prelude to the 2.2 billion euro earmarked for 'Genomics research for human health' in the next Framework programme (FP6) which is due to start at the beginning of 2003. EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: 'The decoding of the human genome opens new opportunities for researchers to understand the genetic origins of diseases and to develop new therapies. It is vital for Europe to play a leading role in genomic research and biotechnology, the new frontier of the 21st century.' But he warned that 'we can only use its vast potential for improving our quality of life and Europe's competitiveness if we are better organised across Europe to meet scientific challenges that go beyond the capacities of individual countries.' The Commission says that the three projects, on the genetics of twins, mouse genomics and structural proteomics, demonstrate the way in which the Commission will fund research in the future, by 'asking scientists from industry and academia to compose top teams from across Europe to conduct research at the cutting edge of science in a selected number of fields' in a bid to achieve critical mass and world-class excellence. Professor Leena Peltonen of Helsinki's National Public Health Institute, Finland, said the projects are an opportunity for the EU to expand its niche in biomedical research and achieve worldwide prominence in the field of genomics. She added that all the projects and their components form a 'circle', leading from mouse genomics to human genetics to the structure of molecular machines to help target drugs to specific illnesses. Professor Peltonen's project, Genomeutwin, will study 600,000 pairs of European twins to identify the genes underlying common diseases. Professor Peltonen said the project aims to distinguish between genetic and environmental factors as a cause of disease, as although scientists have now sequenced the complete genome of almost 100 species, including a draft of the human genome, 'so far we are pretty ignorant of what does what.' The initiative will use new molecular and statistical strategies to analyse factors behind health problems such as obesity and heart disease. It will also establish a collaborative research network including geneticists, epidemiologists, mathematicians and experts in bioinformatics. Professor Steve Brown of the Medical Research Council in Harwell, the UK, explained that the Eumorphia project, which he heads up, aims to improve the role of mouse models in understanding human disease. Now the human genome has been sequenced, he said, the key challenge lies in defining the function of the 35,000 or so genes it contains. Mice provide a key mammalian model for the understanding of the role of genes in human physiology and disease. Eumorphia aims to develop a standardised battery of tests and screens for all body systems in the mouse, so that changes introduced to their DNA can be clearly analysed and understood. The project includes extensive networking and training activities to focus expertise on mouse genetics and create a new cadre of scientists with specialised training in the area. Professor Pierre Chambon of the Strasbourg Institute of Genetics and Molecular Biology, who is also involved in the Eumorphia project, said 'this is the first time [the problem of gene function] will be seriously addressed in Europe.' The SPINE (Structural proteomics in Europe) project aims, in the words of coordinator Professor David Stuart, 'to take structural biology to a post-genomic level' by using robotics and other technology to advance the analysis and understanding of protein function. It will bring together top European structural biology groups to develop new methods and technologies to target the structures of human proteins implicated in diseases such as Herpes viruses and Mycobacter tuberculosis. The project will include the establishment of a network of European centres of excellence and the provision of training for young scientists throughout the EU.