So far, the research into common diseases has treated each disease as an independent disorder. Researchers would for example only focus on rheumatoid arthritis and pay no attention to the presence of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer, or other disorders that are characterized by deranged inflammation. Furthermore, research into any particular disease is typically split up into several technical areas, leaving no room for an overall view. This has led to a wealth of information on numerous detailed aspects of different diseases, while the integration of this knowledge into a real understanding of the disease has been lacking.

As one of the first centers in the world, in 2002 CMSB proposed a different approach. We consider common diseases as complex disorders that have no single primary cause and that are biologically related to each other, below the surface of their various clinical presentations. In this view, common diseases arise from complex networks of interrelated biological, genetic and environmental factors. Our aim is to unravel these networks by taking a very broad perspective on them.

Common diseases exhibit a large variety in symptoms and severity. Which genetic and/or environmental factors are of crucial importance seems to vary per patient. On the other hand, research has shown that only a limited number of pathways are involved in health and disease. This has led CMSB to believe that there must be common determinants that link different diseases. The primary cause, the onset and the ultimate clinical symptoms may be different, but somewhere along the way the same disruption of the system occurs. This could be for example in the way immune responses are processed. We feel that a few 'Master switches' in the human body play an essential role in either becoming ill or staying healthy. The challenge now lies in finding these master switches.

CMSB employs an integrated strategy built on clinical epidemiological studies and 'Systems biology', the epidemiology of our life's molecules. The Netherlands boasts an impressive collection of epidemiological data to which CMSB has access. This includes large population cohorts, a twin registry, genetic isolates and various clinical populations.

The epidemiological studies provide starting points for potential relationships between diseases. These will subsequently be further explored using our systems biology platform, which maps biological phenomena on three molecular levels: genes, proteins and metabolites. This way, patterns become visible that can provide insight into the complete chains of processes, or pathways, in a cell. Results from the systems biology studies will be validated by technological approaches and in vivo animal model systems, for ultimate translation into clinical solutions, thus improving diagnosis, therapy and prevention.

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