Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing

Part of the Health Cluster of the Netherlands genomics Initiative

NCHA, NGI grant number 050-060-810

1 Sept 2008- 31 Dec 2012

7 m€ * 4 years

Netherlands Genomics Inititative (50%), other 50% funded by Erasmus Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center and the industrial partners (Unilever, Philips, Galápagos, McRoberts, Pfizer and – soon – DSM)

Our life expectancy is steadily rising. NCHA studies factors that keep people healthy and reduce the risk of disease and disability. Our motto: grow old, stay healthy!   Ageing is more amenable for intervention than is generally assumed. However, we need to know more about the biology of ageing and of healthy ageing in particular. NCHA is trying to define genes and metabolic processes related to ageing and longevity. We also try to find out how environmental factors, including lifestyle, influence ageing processes and hope to discover keystones to answer the question: how can people live healthier for longer? NCHA will find new ways for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of age-related disorders, using genomics-based research. NCHA research focuses on the principle drivers that allow people to successfully reach longevity in good health. We put older people central and follow an integrated approach instead of the traditional strategies to cope with various diseases separately.   The research program interlinks genome wide analyses in epidemiological cohorts with molecular and animal studies, and tailor made clinical trials, so as to further unravel the genomic basis of aging and age-associated morbidity and mortality. Next, the consortium through its concerted research program and associated partners, will build on a solid working relationship with companies that can bring new genomics-derived products to market and will create new opportunities for the industrial partners in the ‘silver’ economy.

Research focuses on: -   Identification and characterisation of genes and pathways that contribute to the presence or absence of disease at old age -   Identification of environmental influences on these pathways that lower disease risk and promote healthy ageing -   Exploring medical, economical and societal applications of interventions to maximize the health span of older citizens. The main topics concern ‘healthy metabolism’ and ‘keeping mobility’

Short list of results from NCHA phase 1 (2008-2010) -   In its short existence well over 60 papers have now been published by NCHA scientists and activities, mostly in high impact journals. -   NCHA is strongly embedded in a number of major international consortia aiming to discover the genetic basis of human traits and diseases -   NCHA GWAS  (genome-wide associations scans) have identified genomic loci for traits and diseases relevant to healthy longevity, e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol level, heart rhythm, stroke, natural menopause, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, smoking behaviour and Alzheimer’s disease and survival to high age (longevity) -   GWAS hits across these traits and diseases offer potential for uncovering new biology relevant to healthy ageing -    In cases where sufficient variance can be explained, the GWAS hits point to genetic markers which can be tested for their potential in risk prediction and patient stratification -   Natural mechanisms of healthy ageing in long lived families are based on a combination of favourable glucose, lipid and thyroid  metabolism leading a.o. to preservation of insulin sensitivity. -   Human skin fibroblasts from offspring of long lived families have a more favourable stress response compared to controls. -   Biomarker analysis of the longevity families indicated specific features to be potentially novel markers of healthy ageing. -   We have also formulated expected results and outcomes for phase 2 (2011-2012), but these plans are still confidential (submitted to NGI).   Ultimate outcome: Building on the Netherlands’ national multidisciplinary infrastructure for research on aging, NCHA is contributing to new economic activities aimed specifically at an increasingly important market segment: senior citizens. And by enhancing the fast, efficient two-way transfer of knowledge between our academic and business partners, we are easing research into clinical and healthcare practice. If society dares to make the right choices, healthy aging will become a reality, making more people economically and socially active for longer, and reducing the burdens of demographic developments on younger generations

Phase 1 of the NCHA (2008-2010) comprised of a broad programme of discovery research using advanced genetics and genomics in the fields of longevity, mobility, cognition and cardio-vascular research.  This was carried out within two world class epidemiological studies: the Rotterdam Study (RS) and the Leiden Longevity Study (LLS).  According to the charter of the NGI one of the aims is to translate scientific results from the discovery phase in ‘commercially viable products or services’. To facilitate this, the consortium has had three industrial partners from the start (Unilever, Philips and Galápagos) to help focus towards exploitation. In Phase 2 of the NCHA (2011-2012) some further discovery activities will remain in cases where new insights and high scientific value are imminent, but a shift in emphasis will be on translational activities (‘valorisation’). The results of these activities are envisaged in three areas: (a) IP leading to direct economic gains; (b) new insights with potential societal value, for instance for health care policy; (c) collaborative projects with industry that might continue beyond the current NGI grant. The consortium has been enlarged by more industrial partners (Pfizer, DSM, McRoberts) and universities (Univerity of Groningen, University of Wageningen, University of Amsterdam and Free university of Amsterdam). A yet confidential business plan for phase 2 has been submitted to NGI.

Leiden Medical University Center: Molecular epidemiology, epidemiology, gerontology and geriatrics, radiology, neurology, cardiovascular diseases and bioinformatics Rotterdam Erasmus Medical Center: internal medicin, epidemiology, dermatology, philosophie University of Wageningen: nutrional research in the elderly, epidemiology University of Amsterdam: Neurology Free University of Amsterdam: Social medicin University of Groningen: Healthy Ageing Institute

NCHA is one of the instruments (Centers) of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI) ( www.genomics.nl )  to build and consolidate knowledge infrastructures, focusing on societal impact and stimulation of the knowledge economy by exploitation of modern genomics technologies. The NCHA was among the last NGI-sponsored initiatives and started in 2008. Funding is paid by means of tranches of advanced money, once or twice yearly. Advanced money is requested and assigned during the ‚half year evaluations‘.  

- similar scientific interests and complementary expertise or techniques