07/09/2009

A new ambitious European research project in the sector of Environmental Health has been recently launched under the coordination of the Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology (IBRB) of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF). EnviroGenomarkers (Genomics Biomarkers of Environmental Health) brings together 11 research organisations from 6 countries (Finland, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and United Kingdom) who aim to study the environmental aetiology of human diseases such as cancer, lymphoma, neurological diseases and those of the immune system.

The project is co-funded by the 7th Framework Programme (Specific Programme "Cooperation", priority "Environment) and the total budget reaches 4.7 million euros. The aim is to utilize genomic technologies (metabonomics, epigenomics, proteomics and transcriptomics) to discover and develop novel biomarkers to predict increased risks of chronic diseases in which the environment may play an important role (in breast cancer; non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma; chronic neurological and immune system disorders; and allergies with childhood origins).

The project research also focuses on the association of such biomarkers with environmental exposures during adulthood and pregnancy, including high-priority pollutants and emerging exposures with carcinogenic, immunotoxic or hormone-like properties, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PBCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), cadmium, lead, phthalates, brominated flame retardants, ambient air pollutants and water treatment byproducts. The nested case-control design of the project uses biosamples from 3 existing prospective cohorts in Sweden, Italy and Greece.

The Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology (NHRF) coordinates the project and is responsible for the epigenomics analysis, participates actively in the measurements of DNA damage and the food exposure assessment, and is responsible the Communication and Dissemination activities of the Network. Another Greek partner of the consortium is the Medical School of the University of Crete.

The Coordinator of the project, Dr S. Kyrtopoulos, underlines that the research results will not only reinforce the scientific basis for the risk assessment of human exposure to the above mentioned factors but will also support policy initiatives for the protection of health and the environment. These technologies favour an integrated approach in the field of environmental health and can lead to the early discovery of evolving cell changes, serving as risk indicators for future disease". EnviroGenomarkers is applying these technologies in a population study on Environmental Health - for the first time on a large-scale - and has been positively presented in the Nature journal (http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2009/090409/full/nj7239-792a.html).

Among other things, the Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis and Genetic Toxicology at IBRB/NHRF also conducts research on gene-environment interactions in carcinogenesis. In this regard, the Institute develops biomarkers of exposure and genetic susceptibility to carcinogens and applies them in population studies, aiming to elucidate the role of environmental and dietary agents in the modulation of cancer risk. In this area, particular attention is paid to the exploitation of the potential of genomics technologies. The overall aim is to achieve an integration of mechanistic and biomarker-based studies, a) to support mechanism-based cancer risk assessment and b) to facilitate the development of individualized chemotherapy protocols.

Source: IBRB, NHRF