Objective
The objective is to set a scientifically defendable limit of safe exposure to dioxins, as to developmental effects and cancer. The exceptionally wide inter- and intraspecies differences in sensitivity to dioxins will be scrutinised to diminish this major uncertainty factor in risk assessment. To achieve this general objective, a number of specific objectives are set:
1. To study the molecular mechanisms of dioxin toxicity in a multidisciplinary manner, utilising the mutated receptor causing a remarkable resistance towards dioxin toxicity
2. To resolve in population studies the sensitivity of human being to developmental effects (tooth defect and cleft palate) cancer, and compare these outcomes to results in experimental animals.
3. To perform an up-to-date dioxin risk assessment.
Scientific approach
The work can be divided to five major parts, all of which contain input by several partners.
1. Mechanistic studies aimed at increasing understanding on the mechanism of toxic actions of dioxins. This is necessary, because there are several serious gaps in the information, and a science-based risk assessment is not possible without understanding the basics. This part utilises mutated dioxin receptor genes which the partners have demonstrated in experimental animals, and by means of molecular biology techniques attempt, to pinpoint the critical steps in toxic mechanisms.
2. Human levels in population are established by measuring dioxin-like compounds in fat (breast milk, surgical samples, placentas).
3. The sensitivity of human beings to the developmental effects (especially tooth defects in children) is scrutinised in population studies, and compared with the sensitivity of normal and mutated animals to find out the capability of data to predict human effects.
4. The risk of cancer is studied in human populations by correlating the cancer risk with dioxin concentrations in the body. Especially important is soft tissue sarcoma which is thought to be associated with dioxin exposure.
5. A comprehensive risk assessment exercise is performed on the basis of the whole data set obtained from the proposed studies directed at critical data gaps, and also fully utilising previous information. In an attempt to help decision makers, this continues with a policy-driven risk analysis exercise to illuminate all factors needed in the decision-making process.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine obstetrics
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
HELSINKI
Finland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.