European Union Initiative Invests in Aging Research
Further success for the NRW-Innovation prize winner, Dr. Björn Schumacher of the Cluster of Excellence CECAD at the University of Cologne: As Coordinator of the international network “CodeAge” for training and research, supported by the EU initiative - Marie Curie ITN (Initial Training Network), Dr. Schumacher will receive a grant of 3.6 million Euros. The aim is to establish how DNA damage influences aging and what diseases it triggers. National and international partners collaborating in the project include universities, research institutes and biotech companies from across Europe.
A long life isn’t everyone’s goal and old age often brings severe disorders with it. The chances of developing senile dementia, cardiovascular disorders or cancer rise dramatically with age. The numerous aging-related diseases and insufficient treatment options for them make the search for underlying causes of the aging process a fundamental prerequisite for health in later years. Some pivotal knowledge has been obtained through recent research. We now know, for instance, that damage to the genetic material DNA in cells of the body increases steadily with age and that such damage can cause aging-related diseases.
The training and research network CodeAge, a is now investigating the effects of chronic DNA damage on the ageing process. With this international network, Dr. Björn Schumacher of the Cluster of Excellence CECAD will carry out intensive research into the effects of DNA damage within the body, and the exact changes triggered at the molecular level. An exciting field for Schumacher and one that promises to yield findings of fundamental importance: “We hope to obtain new insights into cellular responses triggered by DNA damage and to learn how such responses disrupt mechanisms critical to basic cell functions and to establish how that is influenced by the aging process. We also want to know what effect this has on factors and processes determining lifespan. Our work at CECAD will also be boosted in many ways through this international collaborative effort and integrated research approach.”
The research project begins in October 2012. Research positions are planned for 13 PhD students and one postdoc. This will make Cologne the center of the international research network with Dr. Björn Schumacher as Coordinator. The young scientists will benefit from joint workshops and training events, both generally and with regard to detailed aspects of their research. Besides Cologne University, the nine international project partners include Newcastle University (UK), the Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan (Italy), the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology IMBB on Crete (Greece), the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (CH) and the Leibniz Institute for Aging Research in Jena, together with the private biotech partners Mosaiques Diagnostics in Hanover, Biomedcode Hellas in Athens and ATLAS Biolabs in Berlin.
The Initial Training Network of the EU Marie Curie Program is a highly competitive funding scheme. Translation of research findings into medical applications will be greatly accelerated through research collaborations between academic institutions and medium-sized commercial enterprises. The Training Network opens up career opportunities for doctoral students not only in academic university research centers but also in the private sector.
Contact:
Dr. Björn Schumacher
CECAD - Cluster of Excellence at the University of Cologne
Tel. +49 (0) 221-470-1647
bjoern.schumacher[at]uni-koeln.de