Research center on the trail of common diseases

A new medical research center in Leipzig wants to investigate so-called common diseases in more detail. The aim is to examine the most common diseases, so that they can be detected faster and treated better. Effective prevention is also the focus of the new center.

Dementia, diabetes, depression, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and countless allergies: The so-called civilization diseases are rapidly increasing in modern industrialized countries. Therefore, the LIFE Research Center for Civilization Diseases at the University of Leipzig, funded with 38 million euros by the Free State of Saxony, is now explicitly dedicated to the research and investigation of the most common diseases. For socially caused diseases are increasingly becoming a problem in health care. The costs in the health system are increasing rapidly due to the multiplication of so-called widespread diseases. It is therefore extremely important to examine in more detail the causes, origins and possibilities of prevention.

25,000 subjects are examined
The approximately 100 scientists of the interdisciplinary research group LIFE (Leipzig's Interdisciplinary Research Complex on Molecular Causes of Environmental and Lifestyle Associated Diseases) want to intensively study the living conditions, lifestyle and genetic predisposition of about 25,000 healthy and ill people by 2013 for common diseases such as obesity or diabetes to get to the bottom of it. The stress, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise favoring the onset of most civilization diseases has long been known. However, the Leipzig researchers expect even more complex relationships, which will result from the study of the lifestyle, the environmental conditions, the metabolism and the genetic predisposition of 25,000 test persons.

Common diseases such as diabetes, depression and dementia are the focus of research
„Research is being conducted into the causes of why some people, despite significant risk factors, stay healthy for a long time and become very old, while others suffer from vascular disease at a young age“, said the LIFE board member Joachim Thiery. The focus of research is on diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and dementia, as well as tumors, allergies, cardiovascular diseases or heart attacks and strokes will be examined in more detail in the study. In cooperation with the Max Planck Society, the Helmholtz Association and a research-based pharmaceutical company, the scientists of the University of Leipzig want to provide an explanation for the massive increase in civilization diseases. „We hope to receive pioneering and new insights into prevention and targeted therapy for at least one or two of the major common diseases“ emphasizes Joachim Thiery. The specialist expects the first research results within two to three years. For the implementation, the scientists are still looking for around 10,000 volunteer participants between the ages of 40 and 79 from the Leipzig area, their data to those of the „Sick comparison group“ from patients of the University Hospital. The new results will serve as the basis for better prevention, early detection and treatment of civilization diseases.

Environmental and living conditions as the cause of widespread diseases
By analyzing the complex interaction of environmental and living conditions, lifestyle, metabolism and genetic predisposition, the LIFE project scientists also hope to find answers to questions such as: „Why do certain diseases increase in certain regions and in certain age groups??“ Since part of the blood and cell samples in one „biobank“ can be stored with the present samples even in 20 years, said Joachim Thiery. In addition, around 5,000 children and adolescents would be investigated in parallel for causes of diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus as well as allergies and mental illnesses, whose data are also stored. Thus, the scientists hope that the research results will contribute in the long term to a more effective prevention, early detection and treatment of environmental and lifestyle-related diseases.

Around 100 jobs are created
But not only scientifically, the initiators promise advantages of the project. They also assume that there is great potential for knowledge-based spin-offs from the new research network. The development of special processes and products, which will later be ready for the market, could create about 100 highly qualified jobs in the region in the medium term. (fp, 28.09.2010)

Picture credits: Michael Bührke