A new paradigm in drug use and human health risk assessment: Sewage profiling at the community level

Objective

SEWPROF aims to develop inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral research capability for the next generation of scientists working in the newly-emerging field of sewage epidemiology. It will provide an integrated approach towards public health monitoring at a community level based on innovative sewage epidemiology techniques. The approach will deliver real-time profiling of community-wide health and lifestyle through the analysis of human biomarkers in sewage using a wide-range of methods including hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques, bioanalytical techniques and real-time sensing. The innovative research strategy of obtaining epidemiological information from sewage has been pioneered by members of the SEWPROF team, and, although still in its infancy, is currently used to determine illicit drug use trends at community level via the analysis of urinary biomarkers in sewage. SEWPROF aims to advance knowledge of the epidemiology of (illicit) drug use and to bridge gaps in the available expertise with the ultimate goal of applying this cutting edge interdisciplinary approach within epidemiological studies of societal health. This conceptually simple but methodologically sophisticated epidemiological approach could become an early warning system for outbreaks of disease and a unique tool for the identification of hot-spots for pandemics. This will be achieved through bringing together leaders in the field across Europe in academia, research institutes and the private sector and utilising their expertise and commitment in training a highly employable cohort of researchers who will acquire advanced knowledge in the field through an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral training programme delivered by world class research-led organisations and industrial partners.

Field of science

• /medical and health sciences/health sciences/epidemiology
• /medical and health sciences/health sciences/public and environmental health
• /natural sciences/chemical sciences/analytical chemistry/mass spectrometry

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN - Marie-Curie Action: "Initial Training Networks"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-ITN - Networks for Initial Training (ITN)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Address

Claverton Down
BA2 7AY Bath
United Kingdom

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

EU contribution

€ 730 268,29

Administrative Contact

Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern (Dr.)

Participants (10)

NORSK INSTITUTT FOR VANNFORSKNING

Norway

EU contribution

€ 599 599,44

Address

Gaustadalleen 21
0349 Oslo

Activity type

Research Organisations

Administrative Contact

Kevin Thomas (Dr.)

UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN

Belgium

EU contribution

€ 459 470

Address

Prinsstraat 13
2000 Antwerpen

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Anne Adams (Ms.)

ISTITUTO DI RICERCHE FARMACOLOGICHE MARIO NEGRI

Italy

EU contribution

€ 482 988

Address

Via Mario Negri 2
20156 Milano

Activity type

Research Organisations

Administrative Contact

Sara Castiglioni (Dr.)

EIDGENOESSISCHE ANSTALT FUER WASSERVERSORGUNG ABWASSERREINIGUNG UND GEWAESSERSCHUTZ

Switzerland

EU contribution

€ 273 261,34

Address

Uberlandstrasse 133
8600 Dubendorf

Activity type

Other

Administrative Contact

Laura Klein (Ms.)

KWR WATER B.V.

Netherlands

EU contribution

€ 268 748,26

Address

Groningenhaven 7
3433 PE Nieuwegein

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

Administrative Contact

Pim De Voogt (Mr.)

UNIVERSITAT JAUME I DE CASTELLON

Spain

EU contribution

€ 259 364,82

Address

Avenida Vicent Sos Baynat S/n
12006 Castellon De La Plana

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Ismael Rodrigo-Martinez (Mr.)

TICTAC COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

United Kingdom

EU contribution

€ 271 745,76

Address

Harwood Road 43 Harwood House
SW6 4QP London

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

Administrative Contact

John Ramsey (Mr.)

UNIVERSITETET I OSLO

Norway

EU contribution

€ 295 447,02

Address

Problemveien 5-7
0313 Oslo

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Unn-Hilde Grasmo-Wendler (Ms.)

DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET

Denmark

EU contribution

€ 301 048,66

Address

Anker Engelundsvej 1 Bygning 101 A
2800 Kgs Lyngby

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Birte Kastrup Rasmussen (Ms.)

UNIVERSITAT DES SAARLANDES

Germany

EU contribution

€ 236 289,68

Address

Campus
66123 Saarbrucken

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Markus Meyer (Dr.)