6. rámcový program

Diet, Obesity and Genes (DIOGENES)

Požadovaný rozpočet: 14.516.000 EUR

The rapid growth in the prevalence of obesity and associated co-morbidities, in particular the rise in child obesity across Europe are major global health concerns. Susceptibility to obesity is determined largely bygenetic factors but the current epidemic is significantly influenced by lifestyle factors. Given our geneticbackground it is largely infeasible to self-regulate food intake in the current environment. Innovative scientific approaches to the problem are needed. DiOGenes aims to respond by including all disciplines and stakeholders who can contribute to a better understanding of the disease and its alleviation by dietary means. DiOGenes' primary dietary focus is on macronutrients that will facilitate a healthy weight, specifically the role of the carbohydrate Glycmie Index and of a high protein content in enhancing satiety. To examine critically the dietary impact, an 8-country, long-term randomised, parallel dietary intervention study on whole families will take place.To identify gene-nutrient interactions linked with changes in body weight and waist circumference, DiOGenes isuniquely positioned trough access to long-term prospective cohorts across Europe. Large-scale longitudinal analysis of variation in candidate genes, plus approaches such as gene expression in fat tissue and plasma peptidomics, will search for genetic biomarkers, ultimately enabling prediction of individuals' responses tonutrients in terms of weight change, in turn leading to diet-based treatment. The epidemiological and intervention studies will be complemented by innovative analysis of the psychological/behavioural responses of subjects. Food technology studies will seek to develop food combining high consumer liking/preference with enhanced satiety signals to limit intake. Demonstration and dissemination projects will show how these new concepts in individualized weight management based on balanced dietary advice and individual risk.

Žadatel: Endokrinologický ústav

Transport Infrastructure Technologies and Management (TITAM)

Požadovaný rozpočet: 430.000 EUR

On the 1st May 2004 the Czech Republic became one of the 25 member countries in the enlarged European Union. Its unique location at the centre of Europe between Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia makes it an important transport crossroad (both figuratively and literally speaking) between the old and new EU Member States. This has greatly increased the demand on the transport infrastructure (e.g. the volume of heavy trucks increased by 40% within the first weeks of joining the EU). In response to these new demands; the Czech Republic is seeking solutions to reduce the damaging effects of the increased loads on the transport infrastructure. The main focus is on the development and application of new technologies for managing the transport infrastructure. This is being undertaken by the Transport Research Centre (CDV) which used to be a part of the former Czechoslovak Federal Transport Research Institute and has been undertaking research in the transport field for more than fifty years. Currently CDV is the only research institute under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport that specialises in transport issues. CDV experts play a considerable role in the design, construction, and maintenance of highways and highway structures, including developing relevant technical standards. Currently the focus is on design, construction, maintenance and repair of roads and bridges. Building a new area of competence concerning the innovative methods of transport infrastructure technologies and management (TITaM) at CDV is to be supported through the TITaM project.

Žadatel: Centrum dopravního výzkumu