Project R-14584

NEMESIS project (Novel Effect biomarkers for MEtabolic disruptorS: evidence on health Impacts to science and policy NeedS) (Research)

In recent years, growing concern about the harmful effects of environmental chemicals, such as plastic softeners and pesticides, has accelerated research. The focus has been on the ability of environmental chemicals to act like estrogen, disrupting the body's normal hormone functions. Only recently has the ability of several environmental chemicals to disrupt the body's regular metabolism been noticed. Exposure to some of these compounds has been linked to, e.g., an increase in obesity, fatty liver, and insulin tolerance. The EU is keen on funding research on the topic, as the role of metabolism-disrupting chemicals as a cause of diseases needs to be clarified so that citizens can be protected by chemical policies based on solid research evidence. Starting in January 2024, the NEMESIS project (Novel Effect biomarkers for MEtabolic disruptorS: evidence on health Impacts to science and policy NeedS) is methodologically impressive. The ability of environmental chemicals to disrupt metabolism will be investigated with several cohorts in different EU countries. Mechanisms behind the adverse health effects will be investigated using state-of-the-art in vitro methods by leading researchers in the field. The impact of environmental chemical exposure is studied in the whole organism for example in zebrafish. In addition, the aim is to increase the impact of research findings by raising citizens' awareness of the harmful effects caused by environmental chemicals and how exposure to these harmful chemicals can be avoided in everyday life. The University of Eastern Finland coordinates the project. There are also partners from the University of Oulu, University of Tampere, Karolinska Institutet, NOVA University Lisbon, Hasselt University, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Université libre de Bruxelles, Umeå University, NovaMechanics, Spanish National Research Council, Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, and Foundation for Health and Biomedicine Research and Innovation of Asturias.

01 January 2024 - 31 December 2028