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Project

EURLIPIDS : a virtual platform for lipid research (R-8598)

Fat related compounds ("lipids") are of major importance in human life. These substances are involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular, renal, cancer and brain diseases. They are essential for health, responsible for diseases causing 80% of human mortality. Lipids play an important role in the functionality and tolerability of biomaterials. EURLIPID aims to set up a regional cross-border teaching, technology and innovation platform to combat this number one health problem. This will create a "Lipid Valley", an attractive environment for local talent, leading scientists, specialized SME's which will boost local economy. Why this project? Lipids (fat related compounds, eg Cholesterol, omega-3) are crucial in heart (infarct) and brain diseases (Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, stroke), cancer and in general aging processes. These diseases sweep western society and account for over 80% mortality, in particular in the Euregio with its low social-economic level and high proportion of elderly people. The population of elderly is approximately 25% higher compared to other regions. Lipids play also an essential role in the acceptance and functionality of biomaterials by the organism. Analysis of lipids adhering to biomaterials is crucial in developing biocompatible materials. Recent technological breakthroughs allow to study and valorize on the knowledge of lipids in the diseases and their interaction with biomaterials. The Euregio disposes of outstanding academic and industrial centers for lipid research, which are united into a unique platform on the technology and science of lipids ("lipidomics"). Exchanging persons and connecting knowhow and infrastructures will result in an Euregional excellence platform for cross-border education and for innovative technology development and valorization. Our platform harbors the expertise, focus and critical mass to generate unprecedented innovation and serves as incubator as well as accelerator for local SMEs in the Health and Biomedical sector. The platform will have global recognition and boost competitiveness and success of local SMEs, where a new generation of experts can find employment (Lipid Valley). This development will lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics that target disease-associated detrimental lipids. It also supports development of new biomedical materials, tapping a unique niche market of incredible socio-economic value, increasing the economic situation of the Euregio on a long term.
Date:1 Jun 2017 →  30 Jun 2022
Keywords:Heart and vascular disease, Lipids, Platform
Disciplines:Immunology, Laboratory medicine, Medical systems biology, Molecular and cell biology
Project type:Collaboration project