Mental retardation (MR) is a highly heterogeneous disorder and is of genetic origin in about 50% of the cases. Despite recent progress in research the causes and the pathophysiology of MR remains obscure. It is essential to investigate this in order to develop future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The overall goal of this proposal is to establish an interdisciplinary Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) consortium of experts with a joint programme of activities to generate knowledge about MR and the structure and dynamics of the brain as such. This project will be the first to study in depth the prevalence and incidence of MR in EECA.

The EUROGENE objective is to migrate towards more efficient use and development of higher quality (multimedia) didactic material on genetics through the guided editing and assembly of educational packages based on the consortium proprietary learning design metadata framework and the sharing of different types of digital learning objects between content owners, in 9 languages. The project proposes to do so by establishing the EUROGENE web portal as a reference point for the sharing of a critical mass of educational content items and packages, offering an integrated toolset and service for content authors.

Three year fund in support of EGF key activities: to contribute to the advanced scientific and professional training of young geneticists, especially in the field of preventive medicine, through a post-doc school (European School of Genetic Medicine), to promote the public understanding of genetics to the general public, to organize congresses, courses and initiatives to promote communication between the sciences and humanistic disciplines, to coordinate projects funded by the European Commission, in the fields of international cooperation, genetic research, transfer of knowledge and development of IT technologies.

Training activities for health-care personnel on Breast Tumour counselling: familiarity and mammary carcinoma.