Prepared by: Dr Leona O’Reilly and Dr. Julian Mercer (Rowett Research Institute)

Desk Officer: Dr Achim Boenke

Date: 12DEC02

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR) – Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Absent:

Apologies: Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS) -LOC

Minutes: LOR

JM had contacted Achim Boenke (AB) to determine if the EU would like a representative at the workshop, or on the steering committee. AB suggested Mrs Katsada of the Commission. JM contacted Mrs Katsada but she was unable to attend. AB was confident that EU involvement was not necessary at this stage, and was content to be kept informed of progress and to provide support and advice as required.

As per the Technical Annex, JM suggested Prof. Wim Saris (WS) and Prof. Arne Astrup (AA) as members of the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC). AB agreed. JM undertook to contact WS and AA, and to co-ordinate the identification of the remaining members of the SSC.

LOR and JM discussed logistics of meeting. LOR to contact The Ardoe House Hotel re: provisional bookings.

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR) – Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Absent:

Apologies: Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS) -LOC

Minutes: LOR

JM had contacted WS and AA, both of whom had agreed to be part of the SSC. WS and AA suggested Dominique Langin, Berthold Koletzko and Jon Arch as the other members of the SSC. These individuals had been contacted and had agreed to participate.

JM set a date for a SSC and LOC meeting. The SSC agreed that the easiest way to facilitate this meeting was by teleconference. Date set for this October 21 between 0930-1100 h GMT. All members of the SSC confirmed their availability.

JM and LOR to draw up agenda (see next sheet) and circulate to SSC before teleconference.

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR) – Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Absent:

Apologies: Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS) -LOC

Minutes: LOR

After detailed discussion, the key research themes for the workshop were decided

1. Genomics and Biotech
2. Improving health through diet
3. Early nutrition and health

WS suggested Prof.Stephen O’Rahilly as the plenary speaker. It was felt that Prof. O’Rahilly had the expertise in this area to cover both animal and human models. However, it was noted that if Prof. O’Rahilly could not attend the SSC agreed to have two speakers i.e. one to cover the human research (Johannes Hebebrand) and another to cover the animal models (Lou Tartaglia). All agreed. JM agreed to contact Prof. O’Rahilly and Johannes Hebebrand, if necessary. WS to contact Lou Tartaglia.

AA suggested Dr Karine Clement as the plenary speaker. She could provide expertise in ‘Human aspects in gene-nutrient interactions for weight gain’. All agreed.

BK suggested Peter Gluckmann from Auckland, New Zealand, as the plenary speaker. All agreed. BK to contact.

The structure of the workshop was agreed. All agreed with the provisional timetable.

It was agreed that there should be four professional facilitators in attendance (one for each theme and one overall) at the workshop. JM had already contacted Jim Leslie, who had agreed to attend the workshop in a facilitator capacity. He had also suggested Laura Meagher and Peter Richmond as additional facilitators. Laura Meagher is to lead the facilitators and will advise on the fourth facilitator.

It was suggested that in addition to the facilitators there should be one mediator and one rapporteur per research theme. The mediators are in place to start and steer the breakout sessions. The rapporteurs’ main job is to feed back the main outcomes from each breakout session to the workshop. It was agreed that the mediators and the rapporteurs should be paid. The amount was not finalised. The following nominations were made for the mediators of each research theme:

1. Genomics and Biotech – Dominique Langin
2. Improving health through diet – Wim Saris
3. Early nutrition and health – Berthold Koletzko

SSC to provide LOR with a list of potential delegates for each research theme. LOR and JM to draw up a provisional listing based on ranking and geographical location. LOR to re-circulate this to the SSC and a final list to be developed. LOR to invite all delegates.

The SSC agreed that it was necessary to commence the workshop on the evening of January 12 in order to facilitate the early departure of some of the SSC on Tuesday afternoon.

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR) – Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Absent:

Apologies: Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS) -LOC

Minutes: LOR

JM had spoken with Prof Stephen O’Rahilly. Unfortunately he will be unable to attend the workshop due to personnel reasons. LOR emailed SSC with this information and it was agreed that Drs Johannes Hebebrand and Lou Tartaglia should be approached as plenary speakers.

JM and LOR finalised provisional delegate list. LOR to circulate to SSC

JM and LOR discussed arrangements to be made with Ardoe. LOR to arrange a site visit and meeting with staff at Ardoe House Hotel. This visit took place on 29OCT02.

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR), Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS) – Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Absent:

Apologies:

Minutes: LOR

LOC meet to discuss the provisional delegate list and arrangements to be made for the workshop.

JM explained that Drs Johannes Hebebrand and Karine Clement had confirmed as plenary speakers. Still waiting responses from Gluckmann and Tartaglia re: plenarys.

LOR explained that she was looking into cancellation insurance in case of a ‘force majeur’ during the workshop period. The Commission subsequently indicated that this would not be an eligible cost.

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR) – Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Absent:

Apologies: - Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS)

Minutes: LOR

LOR invited (by email) all delegates on provisional list.

Kolezko emailed to say that unfortunately Gluckmann would not be able to attend due to previous commitments.

The SSC suggested Susanne Ozanne as a replacement speaker. LOR emailed BK to ask him to invite her.

Attendance: Julian Mercer (JM), Leona O’Reilly (LOR) – Local Organising Committee (LOC) Jim Leslie (JL) & Laura Meagher (LM)

Absent:

Apologies: - Peter Morgan (PM) & John Speakman (JS)

Minutes: LOR

LOR provided everyone with an up to date list of delegates (see Delegate Listing) and the provisional timetable for the workshop.

An afternoon discussion took place on the format of the workshop and the provisional timetable was revised accordingly (see ERA-Workshop: Process Recommendations) and circulated to the SSC.

PS=Plenary Speaker; RD=Research Delegates; SSC=Scientific Steering Committee; LOC=Local Organising Committee; INDD=Industrial Delegates; NR=Non response/Maybes; CG=Consumer Groups; HP=Health Professionals; MED=Mediator; P-RAP=potential Rapporteur

RD = delegate (expenses to be covered in delegate budget); LOC/SSC/PS=other (expenses to come from another part of the budget); INDD=industry to pay; NR=No response or a maybe

PS=Plenary Speaker; RD=Research Delegates; SSC=Scientific Steering Committee; LOC=Local Organising Committee; INDD=Industrial Delegates; NR=Non response/Maybes; CG=Consumer Groups; HP=Health Professionals; MED=Mediator; P-RAP=potential Rapporteur

RD = delegate (expenses to be covered in delegate budget); LOC/SSC/PS=other (expenses to come from another part of the budget); INDD=industry to pay; NR=No response or a maybe

PS=Plenary Speaker; RD=Research Delegates; SSC=Scientific Steering Committee; LOC=Local Organising Committee; INDD=Industrial Delegates; NR=Non response/Maybes; CG=Consumer Groups; HP=Health Professionals; MED=Mediator; P-RAP=potential Rapporteur

RD = delegate (expenses to be covered in delegate budget); LOC/SSC/PS=other (expenses to come from another part of the budget); INDD=industry to pay; NR=No response or a maybe

PS=Plenary Speaker; RD=Research Delegates; SSC=Scientific Steering Committee; LOC=Local Organising Committee; INDD=Industrial Delegates; NR=Non response/Maybes; CG=Consumer Groups; HP=Health Professionals; MED=Mediator; P-RAP=potential Rapporteur

RD = delegate (expenses to be covered in delegate budget); LOC/SSC/PS=other (expenses to come from another part of the budget); INDD=industry to pay; NR=No response or a maybe

PS=Plenary Speaker; RD=Research Delegates; SSC=Scientific Steering Committee; LOC=Local Organising Committee; INDD=Industrial Delegates; ()=Non response/Maybes; CG=Consumer Groups; HP=Health Professionals

PS=Plenary Speaker; RD=Research Delegates; SSC=Scientific Steering Committee; LOC=Local Organising Committee; INDD=Industrial Delegates; ()=Non response/Maybes; CG=Consumer Groups; HP=Health Professionals

1615-1645 Light refreshments available

1645-1715 Workshop Launch: Purpose & Process (Julian Mercer, Laura Meagher)

1715-1815 Genomics & Biotech

1715-1745 Animal

1745-1815 Human

1815-1845 Tea/Coffee

1845-1915 Improving Health through Diet

1915-1945 Early Nutrition and Health

1945-2000 Looking to the Future with the EC (Jim Leslie)

2030-2230 Dinner

0830-0900 Introduction to the Day (Note: We actually probably need only 20 minutes, so could start a bit late, but if people aim for 0845 and are late, we will start the day late---so I am tempted to write 08:30 here)

0900-1000 Breakout Session 1a

1000-1030 Tea/Coffee

1030-1230 Breakout Session 1b

1230-1400 Lunch

1400-1530 Feedback Session 1

1530-1600 Tea/Coffee

1600-1800 Breakout Session 2

2130. Dinner

2130-2230 Discussion SSC etc

0830-0845 Introduction to the Day

0845-1000 Breakout Session 3

1000-1100 Feedback Session 2a (on Breakout Session 2)

1100-1130 Tea/Coffee

1130-1200 Feedback 2b (on Breakout Session 3)

1200-1300 Plenary Discussion: Wrap-up and Next Steps

1300-1400 Lunch

1400 Discussion SSC etc

Breakout Session 1a

Breakout Session 1b

Breakout Session 2

Breakout Session 3

• (Group introductions – 10 minutes)
• Identify important societal issues relating to obesity that impact European citizens. (25 min)
• Group together similar issues if they can be restated as one issue; note categories as relevant. (10)
• Prioritise the "top 5" issues that are most critical now or will be within the next 10 years. (15)

• Ideally, what would European obesity research have accomplished in 10 years time? (30)

• What challenges should European obesity research be able to tackle in 10 years time? (15)

• What should the shape and nature of the European obesity research community be? (20)

• Why is this vision important to Europe? What impacts on society will be felt, or in progress, in 10 years time? (20)

• To achieve this vision for the status of European research in 10 years time, what key research challenges need to be addressed now? (35)

• What building blocks of research are needed?

• What key research questions need to be addressed? What new capabilities will need to be developed?) (40)
• What emerging technologies need to be developed to serve as building blocks? (10)
• What new research directions need to be explored to serve as building blocks? (10)
• What existing areas of research need to be expanded to be more useful as building blocks? (10)

• In considering timeframes, note "5" or "20" next to those entries most likely to be addressed to a significant extent within the next 5 years or between years 6-10 respectively. (15)

• What linkages need to be made to form these building blocks?

• Identify necessary linkages between research specialities. (15)
• Asterisk those technologies, directions and areas covered within this theme which would (also) be useful to one or both of the other two themes. (10)
• Identify those points which could benefit from research in one or both of the other research themes. (10)

• For (at least) two of the issues identified, develop recommendations for implementation of effective research, identifying:
• The key research building blocks (15 minutes-Issue I; 10-Issue 2)
• Specific ways in which the blocks can be built together (e.g., Large Integrated Projects, Networks of Excellence, etc.) (15 minutes-Issue I; 10-Issue 2)
• A two-three sentence description of the overarching goal and general approach for tackling it. (15 minutes-Issue 1: 10-Issue 2))