PROJECT "PEROXISOMES ON A EUROPEAN SCALE" - KICK-OFF-MEETING HELD ON THE 5TH / 6TH OF MARCH AT THE CENTER FOR BRAIN RESEARCH (2005-03-15) The European Commission has launched ‘Peroxisomes’, a multinational research project to decipher the biological function of peroxisomes in health and disease. The Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, coordinates the project. The European Commission has provided eight million Euro over the next four years to Peroxisomes, a large integrated project o­n peroxisome research within the 6th Framework Program (FP6) of the European Union. Leading scientists from fifteen research institutes, universities and industry in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, and The Netherlands join forces in this scheme. They contribute a wide range of expertise in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics to embark o­n a common strategy to understand the biogenesis and function of peroxisomes. Although peroxisomes are essential for life, the various functions and dynamics of this organelle in health and disease are o­nly poorly understood. Most inherited peroxisomal disorders in humans have a low incidence but collectively they represent an enormous burden o­n affected individuals, families and society. To bridge the gap between the scarce knowledge about peroxisomes and their importance for living organisms, we established genomic, proteomic and metabolomic platforms focused o­n peroxisomes. We will identify novel peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins and gather comprehensive knowledge about their functions. Mouse genetics will be used to evaluate the role of peroxisomes in different cell types during development and in adulthood. The role of peroxisomes in Alzheimer's disease and in chronic metabolic liver diseases will be analyzed and the biogenesis and dynamics of this organelle deciphered. The technologies that will be established by the consortium will also be useful for future projects in other areas of cell biology. The initiative will therefore have an impact o­n European biological research well beyond peroxisomal research interests. The Center for Brain Research of the Medical University of Vienna is a multidisciplinary Research Institute devoted to basic research in the field of the neurosciences including higher cognitive brain functions as well as to applied research into the mechanisms leading to important diseases of the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. Its research projects are embedded in intensive international cooperation, involving both, academic institutions as well as industry. Although the basic funding of the institute is provided by governmental funds through the Medical University of Vienna, a major part of the research activities is conducted through extramural national and international funding. On the 5th and 6th of March, 2005, the Kick-Off meeting was held in Vienna in the presence of 46 researchers from all participants. Peroxisome-Partners ● Medical University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research, Austria ● Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands ● Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium ● Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany ● Biochemie-Zentrum Heidelberg, Germany ● University of Vienna, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Austria ● Université de Bourgogne, France ● Max Planck Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften, Germany ● University of L’Aquila, Italy ● University of Porto, Portugal ● University of Oulu, Finland ● Karolinska Institutet, Sweden ● Oridis Biomed Forschungs- und Entwicklungs GmbH, Austria ● Medical University Graz, Austria ● Universiteit Gent, Belgium Contact: Zentrum für Hirnforschung Medizinische Universität Wien Ingrid Pribill Projektmanagerin Tel: +43 1 4277-62961 Mail: eu-peroxisome.hirnforschung@univie.ac.at >> zurück | >> top