SEWPROF aims to develop inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral research capability for the next generation of scientists
working in the newly-emerging field of sewage epidemiology. It will provide an integrated approach towards public health
monitoring at a community level based on innovative sewage epidemiology techniques. The approach will deliver real-time
profiling of community-wide health and lifestyle through the analysis of human biomarkers in sewage using a wide-range of
methods including hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques, bioanalytical techniques and real-time sensing. The innovative
research strategy of obtaining epidemiological information from sewage has been pioneered by members of the SEWPROF
team, and, although still in its infancy, is currently used to determine illicit drug use trends at community level via the analysis
of urinary biomarkers in sewage. SEWPROF aims to advance knowledge of the epidemiology of (illicit) drug use and to
bridge gaps in the available expertise with the ultimate goal of applying this cutting edge interdisciplinary approach within
epidemiological studies of societal health. This conceptually simple but methodologically sophisticated epidemiological
approach could become an early warning system for outbreaks of disease and a unique tool for the identification of hot-spots
for pandemics. This will be achieved through bringing together leaders in the field across Europe in academia, research
institutes and the private sector and utilising their expertise and commitment in training a highly employable cohort of
researchers who will acquire advanced knowledge in the field through an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral training
programme delivered by world class research-led organisations and industrial partners.