Projects of the Research Unit 'National Cohort'
A. National Cohort
Conduct of feasibility studies in 2011 - early 2012
As funding from BMBF for the support of the non-Helmholtz institutions involved in the recruitment of the National Cohort is now available, the planning and conduct of the feasibility studies is ongoing. Within more than 20 different projects assessment instruments that were proposed for use in the entire cohort will be tested. All centers will conduct a basic program for recruitment of the participants of the feasibility studies, addressing also the important issue of standardized assessment in a multi-centric study across Germany. The results of these studies will guide the finalization of the detailed assessment program of the National Cohort study.
Pilot study in 2012
Before entering the main phase of recruitment, a pilot study will be set up that already consists of the supposedly final instruments. However, small modifications and adjustments necessary for the smooth running of the entire recruitment may be necessary and shall be identified in this pilot phase.
Recruitment of the National Cohort participants, 2012-2017
After adjustments to the study protocol have been made (on the basis of the results of the pilot phase) the main field phase for recruitment of the participants of the National Cohort will be entered. Recruitment is planned for about 5 years, followed by a 5-year re-assessment of the full cohort.
Homepage of the "National Cohort"
B. Scientific Projects
- Diet, lifestyle and metabolic factors in the development of selected chronic diseases
- Identification of gen-environment (diet) interactions with impact on metabolism and disease development
- Metabolites in biosamples as objcetive markers of diet, lifestyle and metabolism and their use in epidemiologic studies on risk factors and protective factors in the etiologiy of chronic diseases
- Personalized prevention of (metabolic) diseases through targeted modification of diet and lifestyle.