GP-TCM is a European Coordination Action funded under the 7th framework programme. The overall aim of the project is to inform best practice and harmonise research of the safety and efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in EU Member States using a functional genomics approach through exchange of opinions, experience and expertise among scientists in EU Member States and China. The main objectives of the GP-TCM consortium are:<\/p>\n
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- Develop a European-Chinese network collaborating on functional genomics research in TCM<\/li>\n
- Review current practice of TCM research, identifying problems and proposing ways out<\/li>\n
- Propose standard protocols of methodology<\/li>\n
- Propose priority areas of future research<\/li>\n
- Develop online resources to support and enhance Pan-European studies of TCM research<\/li>\n
- Facilitate and foster a sustainable European Collaboration by founding the European Society of CM Research (ESCMR)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In contrast to the reductionist approach of Western medicine that is based on modern anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology as well as cell and molecular biology, TCM uses a unique theory system and an individualised and\u00a0holistic\u00a0approach to describe health and disease, based on the philosophy of Yin-Yang balance and an emphasis on harmony of\u00a0functions. These two medicine systems disagree with each other in many situations as both of them may observe health from their limited perspective. GP-TCM aims to inform best practice, and harmonise research of safety and efficacy of TCM, especially Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) and acupuncture, in EU Member States and China.<\/p>\n
This Coordination Action has grouped together a network of institutions and experts to discuss the application of functional genomics approaches to revisit TCM, especially to address its holistic and function-based view of drugs and patients. The consortium aims to achieve this overall objective through networking and dialogue between more than 150 scientists, clinicians and TCM practitioners from 13 EU Member States, and\u00a06 Non-EU countries including 5 leading Chinese TCM institutions. To facilitate multilateral interaction, this project is being delivered in 10 independent and interacting Work Packages (WPs), in which there are both specialists of TCM research and experts of functional genomics. The project is being managed by a Steering Committee and supported by a Scientific Advisory Committee and a Functional Genomics Technology Committee.<\/p>\n
During the funded lifetime of the project, the European Society of Chinese Medicine (CM) Research will be established and will be kept running autonomously to continue the guidance and coordination of EU-China collaboration in TCM research.<\/p>\n
In 10 work package, the consortium takes actions to review the current status, identify problems and solutions in the quality control, extraction and analysis of CHM. While these fundamental issues are addressed, discussion fora emphasising the use of functional genomics methodology in research of the safety, efficacy and mechanisms of CHM and acupuncture will be the core of this coordination project. The project includes the application of techniques in cell-based models, animal models and in clinical investigations. The consortium\u2019s work packages are as follows:<\/p>\n
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- WP1 \u2013 Quality Control of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP2 \u2013 Extraction and Component Analysis of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP3 \u2013 Functional Genomics in Toxicology Study of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP4 \u2013 Functional Genomics of Chinese Herb Medicine Research in Vitro<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP5 \u2013 Functional Genomics of Chinese Herbal Medicine Research\u00a0in Vivo<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP6 \u2013 Functional Genomics in Clinical Studies of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP7 –\u00a0Functional Genomics in R & D of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP8 –\u00a0Functional Genomics in Studies of Acupuncture-Moxibustion<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP9 \u2013 Final Conference<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP10 \u2013 Management: Sustainable Coordination and Development of TCM Research in the EU<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Coordination Office:<\/h4>\n
The project will be administered by the\u00a0Coordination Office (CO)<\/strong>\u00a0based at King\u2019s College London, which leads the consortium\u2019s Management Team (WP10). Members of the CO are as follows:<\/p>\n
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- Dr. Qihe Xu (King\u2019s College London, UK),\u00a0GP-TCM Coordinator, Chairman of the Coordination Office (CO)<\/li>\n
- Prof. Alberto Dias (Portugal),\u00a0GP-TCM Deputy Coordinator<\/li>\n
- Prof. De-an Guo (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China),\u00a0GP-TCM Deputy Coordinator<\/li>\n
- Prof. Bruce Hendry (King\u2019s College London, UK)<\/li>\n
- Prof. Peter Hylands (King\u2019s College London, UK)<\/li>\n
- Dr. Hani El-Nezami (University of Hong Kong, China),\u00a0GP-TCM Assistant Coordinator<\/li>\n
- Dr. Tai-Ping Fan (University of Cambridge, UK),\u00a0GP-TCM Deputy\u00a0Coordinator<\/li>\n
- Dr. Halil Uzuner (King\u2019s College London, UK),\u00a0GP-TCM Project Manager<\/li>\n
- Mr. Daniel Walker (King\u2019s College London, UK).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
GP-TCM Contact Address:<\/h4>\n
Dr. Halil Uzuner<\/h4>\n
GP-TCM Project Manager<\/p>\n
Department of Renal Medicine<\/p>\n
King\u2019s College London<\/p>\n
Weston Education Centre<\/p>\n
10 Cutcombe Road<\/p>\n
London<\/p>\n
SE5 9RJ<\/p>\n
UK<\/p>\n
Tel:\u00a0 +44 207 848 0492<\/p>\n
E-mail:\u00a0halil.uzuner@kcl.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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- WP2 \u2013 Extraction and Component Analysis of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n
- WP1 \u2013 Quality Control of Chinese Herbal Medicines<\/a><\/li>\n