Dr. Zoccali: As a main initiative of your Presidency of the ERA-EDTA you are promoting the creation of Working Groups. Other scientific societies have already promoted shared research and educational initiatives. Could you tell us the opportunities that this move can offer to the ERA-EDTA membership?
Prof. London: The first opportunity is of course educational. At the difference between industry sponsored symposia or even CME courses the WG offers the possibility to focus on more specific and actual aspects of clinical research since WG will bring together doctors developing research in new fields. Secondly to bring new informations to ERA-EDTA members participating in the WG activities will encourage them to join these activities, to participate to the development of research protocols and registries, and to be an active "player" in clinical research.
Dr. Zoccali: This is a difficult moment for scientific research and education funding. How Working Groups can receive essential funding? Have you set a general document on the ethical rules to be followed by Working Groups?
Prof. London: The problem of fundings was discussed during the first meeting of EURECAM WG and a document was prepared by Prof. Adrian Covic and after an intense discussion between the WG members was presented for approval to ERA-EDTA Council. The ethical rules are clearly defined and relationships with eventual sponsors and industry strictly defined. The document can be found on Society website.
Dr. Zoccali: The vast majority of ERA-EDTA members are clinicians. Do you believe that working groups may be instrumental in promoting the growth of scientific research among clinicians?
Prof. London: I think that WG create a unique opportunity for clinicians to participate on clinical research. The best example is cardionephrology. Many colleagues are concerned with cardiovascular pathology in CKD-ESRD patients. The problem is that to better understand the pathophysiology, epidemiology and therapy of these complications it is necessary to create registries and common protocols including large cohorts; these is difficult to achieve if those concerned are working in isolation with small patients' cohorts and different protocols. The WG is a unique opportunity for all those interested to join larger research groups and this is probably the best opportunity to implicate young investigators.
Dr. Zoccali: Attracting and helping the growth of young investigators is critical to the future of ERA-EDTA. Do you see a role of Working Groups in this undertaking?
Prof. London: This is exactly what I wanted to say in response to your previous question. The implication of young doctors is essential.
Dr. Zoccali: You are a co-founder of EURECAM (EUropean REnal and CArdiovascular Medicine working group). EURECAM is posited in a border territory between nephrology, cardiology and other medical specialities. Which are strengths and the weaknesses of a working group trying to bond several disciplines?
Prof. London: Today the degree of specialization is probably too great. The new data very clearly indicate that all organs maintain a permanent cross talks. This is understandable since at the origin all tissues and organ originate from a single cell. The cross talk between kidney and cardiovascular system is evident but in reality those interested on the heart limit their interest from the left ventricle to the root of the aorta and coronary circulation and those focused on the kidney have tendency to forgot that even glomerulus is an originally designed vascular system.
Dr. Zoccali: Do you believe that an initiative of the kind may conflict with other, similar initiatives at national level or by other societies?
Prof. London: Many national and international societies create .there own working groups. The creation of different WG within ERA-EDTA is not to compete with those national societies but to the contrary to try to collaborate.One of the best example of such collaboration would be the elaboration of common recommendations (for example between cardiology and nephrology).
Dr. Zoccali: Which is the precise research topic that intrigues you most presently?
Prof. London: The topic I found absolutely fascinating concerns again the organs cross-talks and in this case the cross talks between bone, energy control and adipocytes, .and vascular diseases.
Dr. Zoccali: Which is the original paper published in 2009 that you consider as the most stimulating?
Prof. London: I cannot consider only one but I must say that the papers published by the group of Gérard Karsenty from Columbia University and the topics I just mentioned are fascinating.