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INSIDEEU Rare research opportunities The importance of FP7 research on rare diseases was the focus of a recent highprofile conference. Martin Banks reports ome of the best brains in the field of research on rare diseases joined forces earlier this month to help make the issue a bigger EU priority. A conference on 13 September, called ‘rare diseases research: building on success’, featured MEPs, representatives of rare disease research funding institutions, national and European health and regulatory authorities, researchers and patient organisations. The aim of the conference was to provide the rare disease community with the opportunity to express their research needs, provide the commission with a strong case for future funding and increase the ‘visibility’ of rare disease research. Conclusions from the conference will be presented to the European conference on rare diseases in Lisbon in November. Fabrizia Bignami is the therapeutic development officer at the Paris-based European organisation for rare diseases (Eurordis), which helped organise the conference. “As patients, we can thank DG research and the commission for putting rare diseases on the agenda of research at the EU level,” she said. “We patients are very happy to be stakeholders in the process, along with the commission and researchers, and hope to actively contribute to the definition of future rare disease research orientations.” Framework programmes for EU research are the EU’s main instrument for funding research in Europe and FP7 (the 7th framework programme for research and technological development) will last until 2013. S 24 September 2007 PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE 99 Issue 252 24 September 2007 Alyn Smith on Europe, energy and the inevitability of Scottish home rule “I think Scotland will have its own commissioner within 15 years so I must admit that would be a rather nice job to have” Independent thinker Joe Borg and João Mira Gomes on maritime policy S Put a little love in your heart By David Sutherland, Caledonian Science Press EU states are witnessing a spiralling epidemic in cardiovascular disease and rocketing diabetes and chronic obesity with proportional burden of cost and increasing demands on health systems. Cardiovascular disease alone i Issue 252 24 September 2007 Editor’s comment A colleague of mine happened to see a deputy smoking under a no smoking sign near her office. She asked him to stop. He responded that ‘He made the rules around here’. Her request was not just rejected but completely ignored. An hour later he was b POLICYFOCUS Maritime policy 24 Coast guard The upcoming ‘blue paper’ on maritime policy will, for the first time, herald the development of an integrated approach to the EU’s oceans and seas, writes Joe Borg INSIDEEU Health and Research 68 Regional perspectives Commissioners Danuta Hübner an HiPEAC Drives European Research in Computing Systems The High-Performance and Embedded Architectures and Compilers Network is the only European Network of Excellence that deals with the design of computing systems. The Network brings together more than 50 European, world-class research groups from NEWSANALYSIS Energetic debate The European commission’s adoption of proposals to protect fair competition in the EU energy market has met with support from MEPs. The package is designed to promote sustainability by stimulating energy efficiency and guaranteeing that smaller companies have access NEWS | Parliamentary Roundup EU backs Microsoft ruling European competition commissioner Neelie Kroes has called US justice department criticism of the EU ruling against Microsoft as “absolutely not done.” Responding to US assistant attorney general Thomas O. Barnett’s opinion that Monday’s Consumer Credit Directive: Parliament can still fix it urofinas commends the European Parliament for having commissioned a study on the economic impact of the proposed Directive on consumer credit (the ‘Civic Report’). This study was long overdue and should have been carried out at the request o FULLSPECTRUM artificially engineering the intermediate band using quantum dots. Molecular based concepts. It aims to make a better use of the solar spectrum by exploiting molecules, QDs and QD aggregates with special optical properties. It mainly focuses in the development of flat concentrators, dye NEWSANALYSIS NEWSANALYSIS One China, two parts While the EU is right to develop industrial and economic links with Taiwan, it would be wrong to support its campaign to join the UN, writes Glyn Ford MEP want to completely disagree with Jules Maaten’s, attempts (in Parliament Magazine issue 251) to TAIWAN as the legitimate representative of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan straits, and therefore, was a member of the UN. However, in 1971, the UN voted to give China’s UN seat to the People’s Republic of China.” Exactly. Taiwan and China were one country as far as Maaten and GMOSS -Global Monitoring for Security and StabilityA Network of Excellence in the Space Priority of the 6 Framework Programme Objectives and specifics The network of Excellence GMOSS was launched in March 2004 as a component of the European GMES programme with 24 contractors from 11 European countri NEWSANALYSIS NEWSANALYSIS A sense of responsibility Parliamentary scrutiny of European security and defence policy is a serious, and, vital role of the sub-committee on security and defence, explains Karl von Wogau T he prospect of another military mission in eastern Chad,to protect refugees from SECURITY & DEFENCE SUB-COMMITTEE foreign policy raises important questions for both parliament and EU citizens. ESDP has been criticised for its secretive “behind closed doors” procedures which have had little national or European parliamentary scrutiny. The creation of the sub-committee, worki Research in Wind and Wave Energy. Another success story of European Collaboration. G. Kariniotakis G. Giebel Wind Power is a success story to which European Research has significantly contributed. In the last two decades wind turbines technology has come to maturity thanks to continuous research eff SECURITY & DEFENCE SUB-COMMITTEE Common ground Global ESDP Where the EU is involved around the world Africa AMIS II Assistance Sudan/Darfur 31 civil +20 military staff EUSEC DR Congo 36 staff EUPOL Kinshasa 49 staff ARTEMIS DR Congo 2003 1800 staff EUFOR Congo 2006 2300 staff W.Balkans/S.Caucasus E �������     ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� A.E.A. ESTD 1875 PROFILE | Alyn Smith He is one of parliament’s rising stars. But, as Martin Banks discovered, Scottish Nationalist Party MEP Alyn Smith is also hugely enthusiastic about domestic politics Sticking up for Scotland sk Alyn Smith where he thinks he will be in 15 years and he isn’t slow to respond NEWSANALYSIS does benefit from being a member of the Scottish government which is running our country. Alyn has made a real impact, not least because when he is back in his constituency, he does work experience working, for instance, on farms and in distilleries. In other words, he gets his hands d 10th European Health Forum Gastein 10 years Gastein – Shaping the Future of Health 3rd – 6th October 2007 Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg, Austria Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2007 will seek to address future challenging health issues in the widest contex POLICY FOCUS: MARITIME POLICY 24 The upcoming ‘blue paper’ on maritime policy will, for the first time, herald the development of an integrated approach to the EU’s oceans and seas, writes Joe Borg 27 Europe needs a more integrated maritime policy, says Portugal’s state secretary for nationa MARITIME POLICY | Joe Borg Coast guard The upcoming ‘blue paper’ on maritime policy will, for the first time, herald the development of an integrated approach to the EU’s oceans and seas, writes Joe Borg lmost three years ago, when taking office as European commission president, José Manuel POLICYFOCUS and cross-sectoral European policy. From over 500 written responses that we have received in reaction to the green paper, there is clearly wide and strong support throughout the EU for developing an integrated maritime policy in Europe. There is also a clear expectation that such a poli Towards Better Maritime Coordination and Cooperation A modern maritime cooperation model for law enforcement authorities in the Baltic Sea Area Joint action relies on professionalism, objectivity and trust. Reliability is the key word in information exchange. Local and regional coordination The BSRB POLICYFOCUS Sound navigation Europe needs a more integrated maritime policy, says Portugal’s state secretary for national defence and maritime affairs João Mira Gomes aritime policy will be one of the priorities of the Portuguese presidency. Our goal is to help make Europe the leading force in i MARITIME POLICY | Portuguese priorities “Portugal strongly believes that a future European maritime policy can represent a unique opportunity for Europe in the 21st century and enable it to enhance its role as a global actor” We aim to have ministers responsible for the coordination of sea affa Advertisement SILENCE Quieter Surface Transport in Urban Areas Objectives Within the FP6 framework the integrated project SILENCE is developing a system of methodologies and technologies for an efficient reduction of urban traffic noise immission. Within SILENCE considerations of city authorities, European Technology Platform of the Waterborne Industries Europe – Global Powerhouse of Maritime Innovations aunched in 2005 at the Maritime Industries Forum (MIF) Plenary, the European Technology Platform (ETP) WATERBORNE brings together the maritime industry, the 27 EU member states, some non- NEWSANALYSIS POLICYFOCUS Regional specialities The European commission is keen to develop a new cross sectoral approach to maritime affairs. As Martin Banks reports, several maritime regions are already doing just that f you’re looking for best practice examples of what the commission would like MARITIME POLICY | CPMR Similar efforts at this innovative cross-sectoral approach are also being pursued in the French region of Provence Alps Cote d’Azur. A maritime department, responsible for the implementation of maritime policy, has been set up along with a maritime advisory council. Both or PANDA N ETWORK PANDA (Permanent Advisory Network for Diseases of Aquaculture) a networking mechanism for obtaining expert scientific advice in support of EU policy on aquatic animal diseases The most important constraint to the development and sustainability of European aquaculture is infectious dis Events | Workshops | Presentations | People MVUE are visual communication consultants. We believe visual communication incorporates everything your customer comes face to face with at an event. MVUE bring together; �� �� �� �� Events management and production Development of bespoke W NEWSANALYSIS POLICYFOCUS Dynamic decision-making The EU is right to press for an all-embracing maritime policy and a dynamic maritime economy, says Geoffrey O’Sullivan s a recent EU publication entitled “maritime facts and figures” ably illustrates, Europe is a peninsula, a maritime continent MARITIME POLICY | Geoffrey O’Sullivan Geoffrey O’Sullivan is manager for international cooperation at the Galway-based Marine Institute in Ireland A strong European marine science and technology competence is essential if we are to benefit from the significant opportunities offered by the glob WHITE FOR THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY FUTURE Come and join us to fi nd out about the future of the mortgage industry in Europe st on the 21 & 22 nd of November 2007 in Brussels with sessions debating a number of key issues, such as: EU mortgage market integration; Sub-prime lending in the EU and the US; Neutrons and muons Research Infrastructures providing Solutions for Science and Solutions for Society The Institut Laue Langevin in Grenoble, France: Europe leading the world in neutron scattering research for 40 years. European economic competitiveness and quality of life depend on the continuous The Quint ential Large Scale Facility The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures has placed the European spallation neutron source (ESS) fi rmly on its Road Map as a mature project that could commence construction. Costing 1.2 b€ and taking 7 years to build, ESS will be the world le Gas Infrastructure Europe WE REPRESENT THE GAS INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY OPERATING PIPELINES, STORAGE AND LNG TERMINALS IN EUROPE Gas Transmission Europe s Gas Storage Europe n Gas LNG Europe GIE Annual Conference, 22-23 November 2007 at the Hotel Occidental Miguel Ángel, Madrid Third Package: FORWARD AGENDA: LANGUAGES 43 Eluned Morgan talks to Matt Williams about the challenges faced by the intergroup for minority languages 47 By making documents available in all official languages, the translation service plays a pivotal role in giving citizens access to the EU’s work, says Juana Laho European LeukemiaNet (ELN) – Scientific and Technological Excellence in the Research and Therapy of Leukemia L eukemias continue to be a challenge to society and a cost factor because of their frequency in all age groups. They also serve as a model for a variety of diseases and possess exemplary FORWARDAGENDA FORWARDAGENDA Survival tactics Eluned Morgan talks to Matt Williams about the challenges faced by the intergroup for minority languages T he intergroup for traditional national minorities, constitutional regions and regional languages was formed in December 2004 and has around 40 me LANGUAGES | Minority Languages “With 40 million minority language speakers within the EU, there is a great deal we can learn from one another” The increasing social status of Welsh © Crown copyright (2007) Visit Wales 1893 1911 1964 1982 1988 1993 1999 University of Wales National library o THE 3RD ANNUAL OBESITY EUROPE CONFERENCE 2007 POLITICS, POLICY AND PEOPLE Theparliament.com along with Epsilon’s 3rd Annual Obesity Europe Conference conducted an online consultation to look at the issues of the Commission’s White paper on nutrition (tabled on 30 May). While commercial group Your Perfect Partner for European Travel around the Atlantic Area, before they travel, during travel, and when they arrive – www.integra-travel.eu; • high-quality, accessible local public transport services to and from Atlantic Area gateways: including high-frequency city centre bus services wit FORWARDAGENDA FORWARDAGENDA Access for all By making documents available in all official languages, the translation service plays a pivotal role in giving citizens access to the EU’s work, says Juana Lahousse omprising 22 language units, working with 23 official languages, covering 506 language c LANGUAGES | DG TRED a relay language: English, French or German. Although delays may ensue, this system, used only in cases of necessity, provides a much needed solution to the problem of recruitment and training of sufficient numbers of translators of all of the official languages, both old and ne Advertisement SILENCE Quieter Surface Transport in Urban Areas Objectives Within the FP6 framework the integrated project SILENCE is developing a system of methodologies and technologies for an efficient reduction of urban traffic noise immission. Within SILENCE considerations of city authorities, SPECIAL REPORT: TRANSPORT 53 This year’s European mobility week was about encouraging lesspolluting forms of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport, writes Valerie Benard 57 Mobility week saw the EU institutions emphasising the need for more pedal power. Brian Johnson reports 61 L Enabling the 5-Days-Car by customised mechatronics and decentralised planning is an integrated research project funded by the European Commission that aims to develop a concept, which radically enhances automotive manufacturing. Objective of the project is to support the delivery of a customer-orde SPECIALREPORT Upwardly mobile arlier this month, over 145 million people in more than 1500 European cities lived a full week of activities dedicated to the promotion of sustainable urban mobility. This year’s European mobility week focused on the theme, Streets for people, which encouraged local TRANSPORT | Mobility Week “For participating cities, European mobility week represented the perfect platform to push forward an existing transport agenda and to try out new ideas” Valerie Benard is senior project officer for mobility at EUROCITIES Budapest: The Hungarian capital organised a c Demonstration of Fuel-Cell Passenger Vehicles and Hydrogen Infrastructure Results expected during the field tests in Zero Regio will for sure contribute to the EC mid-term objective of 5% substitution by hydrogen as a motor fuel in road transport. The project coordinator, Infraserv Hoechst responsib ������� Austria: Federal Environment Agency, Federal Ministry of Science and Research Belgium: Federal Public Planning Service for Science Policy Finland: Academy of Finland, Finnish Environment Institute France: Agence de l’Environnement et de Maîtrise de l’Energie, Ministère de SPECIALREPORT Two wheels good... Mobility week saw the EU institutions emphasising the need for more pedal power. Brian Johnson reports obility week saw a flurry of activity across the EU institutions promoting pedal power, with MEPS taking to the streets of Brussels to try out the latest electric TRANSPORT | Mobility Week wants to encourage more EU staff to live in the EU quarter. “With Brussels region we also have a vision of how to refurbish the European quarter, including the increase of living space closer to work places. I myself enjoy living close to the Berlaymont and feel privileg DE-LIGHT TRANSPORT: Developing lightweight modules for transport systems featuring efficient production and lifecycle benefits at structural and functional integrity using risk based design A better payload to weight ratio is the key to improved competitiveness, modal shift and reduced environmen The integrated project NICE (“New Integrated Combustion System for Future Passenger Car Engines”) is part of the framework program 6 (FP6) of the European Commission (duration: 2004 – 2007). It contains 29 partners (6 OEMs, 5 suppliers, 5 reseach institutes and 13 universities). he main obje SPECIALREPORT SPECIALREPORT Reclaiming the streets The long term objectives of initiatives like mobility week will only be achieved if such thinking is put into practice every day at the local level, writes Michael Cramer s it really possible to be mobile without a car? Have we got the balance righ TRANSPORT | Michael Cramer Michael Cramer is a member of the committee on transport and tourism This year, European Greens also supported local activities in Brussels, such as the ‘biking in the city’ initiative, and encouraged MEPs from all parties to discover alternatives to their driver’s Czech Railways in 2007: profit, renewal of rolling stock and separation of �D Cargo The company ÄŒeské dráhy, a.s. (translated as Czech Railways, joint stock company, abbreviated as ÄŒD) was established based on Act No 77/2002 Coll., on Czech Railways, joint stock company on 1 January 2003 as on University of Zagreb Medical School The University of Zagreb Medical School is a public institution of higher education within the University of Zagreb, which is responsible for the organization and performance of university studies, research and continuing education in the area of biomedicine and h SPECIALREPORT SPECIALREPORT Urban concerns Parliament’s urban housing intergroup wants the forthcoming green paper on urban transport to signal a more integrated approach to sustainable development n a position statement published earlier this year, parliament’s urban housing intergroup stresse EARLINET-ASOS European Aerosol Research Lidar Network Advanced Sustainable Observation System T Map of lidar stations within EARLINET-ASOS he present knowledge of the atmospheric aerosol distribution is far from sufficient to properly estimate the role of aerosols in changes of the global and reg INSIDE EU: HEALTH & RESEARCH 68 Commissioners Danuta Hübner and Janez Poto č nik want regions and member states to make better use of research funding in order to increase competitiveness and support development. Anthony Fletcher reports 73 Health and research news roundup 83 The role and purpose HEALTH & RESEARCH | Research and Regions Regional perspectives T Commissioners Danuta Hübner and Janez Poto č nik want regions and member states to make better use of research funding in order to increase competitiveness and support development. Anthony Fletcher reports For example, the cohesio INSIDEEU “Research and innovation are unevenly distributed in the union. At the regional level, these disparities are much more marked. We cannot afford as a union to ignore this regional dimension” 24 September 2007 PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE 69 HEALTH & RESEARCH | Research and Regions “We need to use all means that we have to make this positive relationship between regions and research flourish” The seventh research framework programme (FP7), particularly the actions for capacity-building in certain regions and European cluster fundin Involvement of the Institute of Environmental Engineering at Tallinn University of Technology to EU RD programmes Europe’s freshwater futures up to 2025 are good examples of this kind of involvement. The IEE has had a major role in Estonia in research supporting the Water Framework Directive via, ost medical errors are systems related and not attributable to individual negligence or misconduct. However, regional authorities and decision makers express a growing concern about escalating medical costs and resource efficacy. Why most European countries have larger focus on how to approach this INSIDEEU Clever cars The European commission outlined new plans to accelerate the drive for safer, cleaner and smarter cars this month. The commission will start negotiations with European and Asian automotive industry associations later this year to reach an agreement on offering the pan-European HEALTH & RESEARCH NEWS Fast-track to success The European commission will launch Eurostars, a joint programme with member states designed to support research-intensive small companies, on 2 October. In addition to the commission contribution of €100m, 22 EU member states and five countries associ We are open for joint projects State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute o Founded in 1922 as plant breeding station o In 2006 breeding station is reformed into State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute (Stende GSI) o Stende GSI has 205 ha for field trials and new variety development. There are employed IMT-Bucharest, as a centre of regional interest in convergent (micro-nano-bio) technologies. A significant actor in microand nanotechnologies. IMT-Bucharest is participating to more than a dozen of EU projects in FP6. IMT is the national contact point for a few ETPs (European Technological Platforms INSIDEEU High energy A British-led team of researchers is hoping to find a safe and clean energy source for the future. The HiPER (high power laser energy research facility) project, which is backed by the EU with €738m in funding, will conduct research into laser-based nuclear fusion, which prod HEALTH & RESEARCH NEWS Protecting the ozone Fighting flu Preliminary results of the first clinical trial of a novel avian H7N1 influenza (“bird flu”) vaccine have shown that it is safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers. The vaccine was developed, from the design of the vaccine virus to FACEiT Fast Advanced Cellular and Ecosystems information Technologies The FACEiT consortium – composed of nine European research groups and three SME. Non-invasive heart beat measurements on a marine crab can demonstrate exposure to toxic pollutants. One of the innovative FACEiT biotools. Image POLITICS, POLICY AND PEOPLE VOTING NOW CLOSED We thank you for the hundreds of votes received by MEPs To view the shortlist visit www.parliamentmag.com/m CATEGORIES Campaigning Supported by Carers UK in association with Eurocarers _______________________ Employment Supported by MEIRG _____________ Objective: To transform knowledge obtained from molecular research particularly within genomics, into a cure in an increasing number of patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is used as a prototype since this disease offers unique opportunities to define a INSIDEEU Healthy developments The role and purpose of information technology regulation at the EU level must be redefined if Europe is to maintain its place at the cutting edge of innovation, argues Romana Jordan Cizelj nformation technology and e-Mergence represent one of the major challenges whic HEALTH & RESEARCH | Romana Jordan Cizelj Romana Jordan Cizelj is a member of the committee on industry, research and energy making life easier and better for all Europeans. The main goal should be focused on ensuring that every user is able to connect everywhere, anytime and has the opportunity to ������� Deadline for applications is September 30, 2007. It is a research and training programme for young Europeans, which combines three goals: ������� ������� ������� ������� See www.rj.se for further information ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿ EUDET Detectors to Unravel the Mysteries of the Universe With its Reference Design Report recently published, the International Linear Collider (ILC) is facing its next major milestone. By 2010, all systems, technologies and R&D results will be so far advanced that this truly global particle physics INSIDEEU The knowledge society The establishment of the European research council (ERC) will help Europe to compete effectively as a society based on the knowledge triangle of education, research and innovation, argues Fotis Kafatos any groups, institutions and individuals deserve credit for the es HEALTH & RESEARCH | Fotis Kafatos Professor Fotis Kafatos of Imperial College London is ERC president and chairman of the scientific council its delivery. On 2 February 2007, when our formal appointment began, we issued a report summarising the previous year’s work, which allowed the ERC to func ERCIM: The front door to European informatics research Are you looking for research partners? Do you want to be involved in successful European projects? Then contact ERCIM, the European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics. The objective of our European Economic Interest Grouping (EE Facilitating the CAP reform: Compliance and competitiveness of European agriculture (Cross-compliance) Policy context and key objectives of the project The 2003 Mid-Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) introduced a system of decoupled payments per farm. These payments were made condit INSIDEEU A flexible friend The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is an independent and flexible partner that provides the EU with scientific and technical support – and its work has an impact on all our daily lives argues Dr Roland Schenkel T he JRC was created under the Euratom treaty in 1957 and ce HEALTH & RESEARCH | Joint Research Centre Dr Roland Schenkel is director general of the Joint Research Centre A further example is a parliament request regarding the energy package where the JRC again gave significant technical support, including impact assessments. A secure energy supply for the EUROCHAMP project Teaser: To understand climate change and related problems such as atmospheric composition change and photo smog formation, scientists need detailed information on the chemistry of the atmosphere. One way to achieve this is through controlled experiments, by fitting analytical instr The Integrating Activity on Synchrotron and Free Electron Laser Science (IA-SFS) the largest network of experimental facilities in the world, open up to all European users Since 1968, tens of thousands of experiments are performed every year with “light” (x-rays, ultraviolet and infrared beams) INSIDEEU Structural strength esearch infrastructures of pan-European relevance provide unique opportunities for world-level research and training as well as for stimulating knowledge and technology transfer. They help to develop human resources and knowledge and to reverse brain drain. Research inf HEALTH & RESEARCH | ESFRI John Wood became ESFRI chairman in 2005 having been the UK delegate to ESFRI since 2001 and monitor such projects fostering international co-operation with the main global players. The implementation of the projects included in the ESFRI roadmap is now underway. Multilate ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿ SIM Project by the European Commission under 6th Framework Program. It started in September 2006 and it is planned to end the activities within 36 months. The project is led by Piaggio, one of the world’s most important PTW manufacturer; the Consortium is composed by several industrial partners be INSIDEEU Rare research opportunities The importance of FP7 research on rare diseases was the focus of a recent highprofile conference. Martin Banks reports ome of the best brains in the field of research on rare diseases joined forces earlier this month to help make the issue a bigger EU priority. HEALTH & RESEARCH | Rare Diseases “We patients are very happy to be stakeholders in the process, along with the commission and researchers, and hope to actively contribute to the definition of future rare disease research orientations” The programme has a total budget of over €54.6 billion, a SmartHEALTH [IST-2004-016817] www.smarthealthip.com Cancers are not ‘cured’ but ‘managed’ Smart Integrated Biodiagnostic Systems for Healthcare The SmartHEALTH Integrated Project will develop and deliver the next generation of smart diagnostic systems fully integrated into healthcare system he Alliance for European Diabetes Research, The Federation of European Nurses in Diabetes, The International Diabetes Federation and Primary Care Diabetes Europe look forward to welcoming delegates to the 2007 European Health Forum which takes place from 3 rd to 5 th October in Gastein, Austria. Del INSIDEEU Cutting the cost of a healthier EU With continued cooperation between the European institutions, member states, and eHealth Stakeholders, the benefits of eHealth can be shared by everyone writes Gérard Comyn Health in the form of information communication technologies for health care has HEALTH & RESEARCH | ITC for Health Gérard Comyn is head of the European commission’s ICT for health unit at DG information society The commission has led a number of political initiatives to support and encourage a greater dialogue among healthcare administrations in the member states. In 2004 Genetics of coenzyme Q deficiency in humans Figure 1. Scheme of genetic diagnostic protocol in coenzyme Q10 deficiency Figure 2. Positive effect on the growth of fibroblasts from a patient (P2) with CoQ10 ics. For that purpose a protocol has been designed and followed all the time of the project, Creating ripple effect in the economy – Genomnanotech is rapidly developing at University of Debrecen to aim to facilitate biotech and pharmaceutical industry in the North Great Plain Region, Hungary next step for an emerging University in a region legging behind? The answer is: to support innova INSIDEEU eHealthy choices There are new challenges in healthcare where ICT can contribute significantly to the solution, says Kees Smedema Health is the term used for applications and services in healthcare that are supported by ICT. Computers are already used for many years in healthcare, e.g. for HEALTH & RESEARCH | eHealth Kees Smedema is chairman of the eHealth industry stakeholders group and senior director of business development at Philips Medical Systems Healthcare Informatics eHealth solutions can contribute significantly through national healthcare IT infrastructures supporting acc Quality Labelling and Certification of Electronic Health Record Systems in Europe EuroRec has, by means of the EU funded project, QREC, brought together European experts in the EHR field and (see http://www.eurorec.org) is delivering : • • • • A first series of fully indexed quality criteri SHARE – Developing a roadmap for healthgrids in Europe SHARE is an FP6 project to develop a roadmap for RTD decision makers in Europe to target research on grid computing in healthcare and biomedical research. In view of these challenges, healthgrids aim to provide a global infrastructure to enabl Project WAPITI (Waferbonding and Active Passive Integration Technology and Implementation) hotonic devices used in telecommunication systems have achieved impressive performance in the last few years, and these developments offer new opportunities in many other areas such as sensors, health care,