"Cardio-metabolic disorders (CMD) represent a heavy public health burden for Europe which has one of the highest adult mortality rates in the world, primarily due to a very high incidence of CMD. The 2011 FP7 Health Work Programme included three Calls targeted specifically on understanding CMD nature and pathophysiology, while the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe recently recognised CMD as the greatest public health challenge of the 21st century. The aim of this proposal is to create a multiannual joint programme of collaboration between eminent research entities based in EU or Associated Countries (EU/AC) and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) countries for investigating the prevalence of uncoupling protein one genetic polymorphisms and their impact on predisposition to CMD. Thus, U-GENE fits perfectly within the scope of IRSES which aims in establishing long-term research cooperations through coordinated joint programmes of balanced research staff exchanges in thematic areas that are relevant to the European population. In addition, the EECA region is of strategic importance to the EU, in both economic (trade, energy) and political (security, stability) terms. The U-GENE partners boast an outstanding group of researchers, extensive collaboration and knowledge transfer networks, a large number of relevant publications, as well as very active participation in research programs funded by the European Commission. Moreover, the partners’ experience and specialisation in CMD research, their extensive experience in networks of excellence and international collaborations, and their broad infrastructures will provide the level of quality required to transform the U-GENE joint exchange programme into a successful multi-national network of excellence for CMD research."