The primary aim is the conduct of high-quality analyses that produce, in an efficient and timely manner, reliable and valid findings across multiple cardiovascular and aging-related phenotypes. The organizational structure is simple and comprises a Research Steering Committee (RSC), an Analysis Committee, a Genotyping Committee, and approximately 20 phenotype-specific working groups. The RSC, which has 2 representatives from each cohort, is responsible for establishing the other committees, for nominating working group members, and for developing general guidelines for collaboration, authorship, sharing of results, publication, and timely participation. The Analysis Committee develops guidelines that the working groups are encouraged to adopt or adapt, and the Genotyping Committee coordinates requests for follow-up genotyping.
