• to construct a case-cohort study for coronary heart disease within the EPIC observational cohort and to use this study as the basis for studying gene-lifestyle and gene-biomarker interplay;
• to study the association of biomarkers with incident coronary heart disease in the case-cohort study and to contribute to the analysis of gene-biomarker interplay;
• to study the association of nutritional, dietary and physical activity behaviours within the case-cohort study and to contribute to the analysis of gene-lifestyle interplay;
• to study the association of genetic variation with incident coronary heart disease in the case-cohort study and to contribute to the analysis of main genetic effects, gene-biomarker and gene-lifestyle interplay;
• to maximise synergy with InterAct to achieve specific objectives in a time- and cost-effective way.

These general scientific aims will be achieved through progress on 4 main specific objectives:

1. Identification and preparation of the sample framework
2. Biomarker assays
3. Genotyping
4. Database management, statistical analyses and interpretation of findings