Scientific Concept of the National Cohort (status ... - Nationale Kohorte

C.1
C.1 Annex: Description of the study centers
stitutes and independent departments, which are interlinked and cooperate on various topics
and in various research programs. The center runs diverse technology platforms which
function as central service units. To ensure rapid and efficient transfer of findings from basic
research into medical applications, scientists of Helmholtz Center Munich work closely in
translational centers and clinical cooperation groups together with medical partners in the
universities and hospitals in Munich.
Research at the Institute of Epidemiology at HMGU focuses on the effects of environmental
factors and genetic predisposition – as well as their interaction – on human health by means
of epidemiologic methods. The main research areas in terms of disease endpoints of the
institute are diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diseases
of the respiratory system, and allergies. Exposures of interest include indoor and outdoor air
pollution, ionizing radiation, diet, physical activity, and psychosocial factors. The integration
of molecular epidemiologic methods has become an indispensable part of the epidemiologic
research activities of the institute. The scientific output of the institute is reflected in the publication
record (http://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/epi/publikationen/uebersicht/index.html)
which also demonstrates that numerous national and international collaborations are a major
part of the successful scientific work. In particular, the area of genome-wide association studies
(GWAS) has proven to be a very efficient source of scientific collaborations and publications,
thanks to the abundant phenotypic data available in MONICA/KORA.
The Institute of Epidemiology at the HMGU manages several population-based epidemiologic
studies covering a broad age range, from birth to old age. The largest and most prominent
study is the population-based MONICA/KORA cohort with about 18,000 subjects in the
age range of 25–74 years at recruitment. Participants were enrolled during four recruitment
periods in 1984/85, 1989/90, 1994/95, and 1999/2001 and were subsequently followed
up for disease outcomes. Further cohort studies include two birth cohorts, the GINI study
(n~6,000; recruitment 1995-98), and the LISA study (n~3,100; recruitment 1997–99), both
with regular follow-up since birth. All studies include physical examinations and, with the
exception of earlier study components, have incorporated the collection of biological specimens
(blood, urine, faeces, and saliva).
Laboratory expertise is provided by the Molecular Epidemiology Group at HMGU, headed
by T. Illig. T. Illig’s lab has strong expertise in both genotyping and metabolomics. Of specific
importance is the expertise in standardized collection and storage of biomaterials obtained
in epidemiologic studies. Members of the HMGU group have developed a concept
for long-term management of the biospecimens to be collected from the National Cohort
participants.
With respect to the baseline examinations, HMGU will cooperate with researchers from
outside, especially from the Medical Faculties of the Universities in Munich (LMU, TUM); for
magnet resonance imaging a close cooperation with M. Reiser (Institute of Radiology, LMU)
has been established.
Description of the study center Augsburg
The region of Augsburg – consisting of the city of Augsburg and the two neighboring counties
of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg – has a source population of 420,000 inhabitants in
the age range of 20–69 years, of which 20,000 subjects shall be recruited into the National
Cohort.
The study center for the recruitment and follow-up of theses study participants will be located
in the city of Augsburg, about 70 km west of Munich. The study center is close to the
railway station and thus easy to access for the study participants (by train, bus, or car).
228