A comprehensive environmental genomic study of socially important diseases in Russia and the EU (EUROGEN)

Starting date
January 1, 2010
Duration (months)
24
Managers or local contacts
Malerba Giovanni
Keyword
COPD, EH, T2D, GWAS, gene expression

Genome wide analysis has been conducted for several important diseases in large populations, but there are many discrepancies between the studies. A possible reason is the lack of analysis of gene-environment interactions. Furthermore, there is generally little information provided on the functional role of identified genes. In EURUGEN, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes, all important in Russia and the EU, will be investigated in a multi-center case control study using genome-wide analysis. The samples will be analysed with high throughput genotyping, deep sequencing and metabolomics to provide useful data for a functional genomics approach. In addition, environmental and lifestyle data will be collected to provide a comprehensive description of gene-environment interactions related to each disease. Correlations will be made not only with disease onset but also co-morbidities between the three diseases and their complications, and potential prognostic markers will be identified. The project will take initial steps towards functional analysis of selected polymorphisms and will develop predictive models for use by epidemiologists and clinicians. The consortium is balanced between three Russian partners from different regions, and three European partners. European partners will support the high throughput genotyping, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of samples from Russian populations and there will be training opportunities for Russian scientists to learn these techniques, thus aiding capacity building in the Russian groups.

Sponsors:

7PQ VALUTATI POSITIVAMENTE
Funds: requested
Syllabus: EUROPA - Progetti Europei

Project participants

Francesca Belpinati
Technical-administrative staff
Cristina Bombieri
Associate Professor
Massimo Delledonne
Full Professor
Roberta Galavotti
Technical-administrative staff
Giovanni Malerba
Associate Professor
Andrea Marostica
Cristina Patuzzo
Technical-administrative staff
Pierfranco Pignatti
Paola Prandini
Elisabetta Trabetti
Associate Professor
Luciano Xumerle

Collaboratori esterni

Thomas Illig
Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Muenchen-Neuherberg

Activities

Research facilities

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