COST Committee of Senior Officials Meeting of 27/28 June 2006, Agenda Item 9 - Domain Descriptors (link)

Brussels, 20 Jun 2006

Full text of Document 254/06
Suite of documents 254/06

The CSO at its 164th meeting on 29/30 March 2006 approved the Terms of Reference for the new COST Domain Committees1, with a draft domain descriptor annexed to each mandate.

The draft domain descriptors as set out in this document have been examined by the new Domain Committees and will be presented to the CSO on /28 June 2006 for approval.

BIOMEDICINE AND MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES (BMBS)2

Domain descriptor

The Domain BIOMEDICINE AND MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES covers all areas of medicine as practiced in Europe and basic, preclinical and clinical medical research developed to materialise the "bench to bedside" concept. Research in biomedicine emphasises acquisition of knowledge of normal functions of the human body and alterations of them in the case of diseases. These functions may be conducted at the molecular and the whole body level, not excluding its integration in the environment (food, water supply, pollutants, forests, urban environment, etc.).

The following examples illustrate aspects of actual research in this Domain. The scope of the Domain is not restricted to these activities; it should be noted that networking of cutting edge specific research with a high degree of complexity and multidisciplinarity is encouraged.

Molecular Biosciences encompass all areas of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. They are not limited to research in humans, but may also concern research in plants, viruses, micro- organisms, and animals. Basic and applied biomolecular research is addressed, issues connected with forestry and agriculture included. The BMBS research also includes issues of genome, proteins (structures and functions), lipids, study of the Central Nervous System and neuronal connections, cognitive neuroscience, immune system, cell migration, cell dysfunctions (cancer), cellular mechanisms of diseases, contagious diseases (animals to humans transmissible diseases included), tropical diseases. Biomedicine and Specific Technologies: some of the related BMBS research areas include advanced imaging and treatment techniques (basic research, diagnosis, treatment procedures), medical devices and new medicines, advanced medical research on biomaterials. Micro- and Nanomedicine (including nanotechnologies), biomedicine/ molecular bioscience and pharmacology in extreme conditions (climate change, and outer space conditions). Research in BMBS is also concerned with some crucial interdisciplinary issues in the fields such as bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, medical physics and chemistry, mathematical models in medicine. Therefore, new ideas and initiatives are welcome as well as those with high interdisciplinary elements, high degree of innovation and close links and overlaps with other domains.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (FA)3

Domain descriptor

The Domain FOOD AND AGRICULTURE covers all aspects of research in the field of agricultural and food sciences in its widest sense. This naturally encompasses a very wide number of subjects, and relates to a large number of areas of human activity. The primary aim of the Domain is to encourage networking of research in any field linked to these activities as well as the related demands and needs. The following examples illustrate aspects of actual research in this Domain. It is emphasized that they are examples, not a complete catalogue. The Domain actively seeks innovative and interesting proposals even if they may not at first sight fit neatly into a traditional category of research in food and agriculture. The Biological Functions of Organisms: to advance understanding of the functions of organisms relevant to agriculture, food and nutrition, the domain will welcome proposals where fundamental science is an essential component of the topic. This will include biological science, animal science, veterinary science, plant science, microbiological science, soil science, genetics and breeding, agricultural system science or any other fundamental discipline related to food, agriculture & fisheries. Biotechnology - the use of the most recent techniques and applications that spring from their use - is also addressed. Human Nutrition and the Food Chain covers the entire food chain leading to non-processed, semi-processed and processed foods and encompasses food and feed quality, food safety, functional

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