WHYWEAGE

A road map for European ageing research

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The rapid increase of life expectancy in Europe is essentially a positive outcome from improved health care and socioeconomic progress. However age-related deteriorations of health greatly impinge upon the health care and social security systems. This fosters an increasing necessity of keeping as long as possible the elderly in relatively healthy conditions. Unravelling the fundamental mechanisms of ageing is a pre-requisite for maintaining activity and independence of the elderly, thus improving the quality of life at older age. After some preparative effort made in FP6, time has come to federate the European research on ageing around commonly agreed perspectives, considering the need for progress in an area of great socioeconomic and political stake in Europe. The next step is therefore to raise a road map for the European research on the molecular aspects of healthy human ageing, considering also some aspects of development. Based on an assessment of the state of the art in molecular gerontology and breakthroughs in biotechnology, we shall clarify the main priorities for the next 15 years. We will engage an open and transparent mechanism to support a closely prepared and coordinated series of subtopic research workshops merging in a get-together integrative conference. In order not to start from scratch again, the selection of the participants will be based namely on the list of 50 associate and 14 full members, academic and industrial, of the ongoing FP6 « Linkage » Coordination Action, led by the coordinator of this proposal, experienced in successfully managing European projects. Distinguished scientists working in other fields of molecular biology and biotechnology will also participate. The conclusions of the workshops and final conference will be published in a series of position papers. This will serve as a reference tool for further support of European policies on ageing, considering other stakeholders in the field who will also be invited to participate'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Due to the rapid increase in ageing populations, improvements in health care and socioeconomic conditions have led to higher health care expenses in Europe. 'A road map for European ageing research' (WHYWEAGE) is an EU-funded project that aims to improve quality of life for the ageing population and meet their health care needs.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Ageing is often accompanied by vascular diseases like hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, skin changes, muscle loss, poor metabolism and neurological deficit. These degenerative changes are usually due to alterations in molecular mechanisms at the cellular level. Age-related disorders reduce quality of life, increase dependence on others and lower contribution to the work force or knowledge pool. The rapidly increasing aged population in EU also places a huge burden on governments and health care systems that are not adequately equipped to meet their needs.

WHYWEAGE is an initiative established to identify areas of research for better understanding of molecular mechanisms of ageing and for finding solutions to improve quality of life. Twelve successful workshops were held with participants from 21 European countries, including industrial stakeholders along with scientists to provide technical and commercial perspective. Topics such as 'biomarkers of ageing', 'oxidative stress, protein damage and protein maintenance', vascular ageing, 'sarcopenia, muscle weakness and physical exercises', and 'clinical biogerontological studies' were addressed.

Deficits in knowledge and technology were identified and research areas were prioritised based on criticality of intervention. The outcomes were used to develop a road map outline for EU research on ageing. Press conferences and individual project websites (see, for example, http://diamap.eu/) were used for information dissemination.

The WHYWEAGE road map will guide the way for unravelling the mystery behind ageing at the molecular level. Healthy ageing would vastly improve the quality of life of the elderly and reduce health care and socioeconomic costs.

This multidisciplinary coordination will lead to optimal research and technology development (RTD) to address the unmet needs of the ageing populations in Europe. The data will also guide policymaking and aid stakeholders in decision making with regard to pursuing commercialisation of technology options.