The Identification of Novel Genes and Biomarkers for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (BIOLUPUS)

NEWS

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a disease with a complex genetic background. The recent advances in genotyping technology have enabled the identification of over 35 lupus susceptibility genes. However new challenges arise in the horizon, how do the genetic variants within these genes affect the function of the genes in which they reside? Have we identified all the genes involved? Are there rare variants also involved? How can we identify these? What are the advantages and challenges of the new Next Generation Sequencing technology? What role does bioinformatics play? What are the possibilities of investigating the mechanisms behind genetic susceptibility and what other challenges are hidden within the genome and its regulation?
These are in general terms the questions we are seeking to answer in the ESF sponsored Conference on “Genomics of Complex Diseases: New Challenges” under the framework of the research network project BIOLUPUS and which is organised by Professor by Marta Alarcon-Riquelme (Spain) and Sergey Kozyrev (Sweden)
Dates: 12-13 May 2011, Venue:  Granada (Spain)
For more information click here (Introduction, conditions and how to apply, Final Programme and registration form) or go to the BIOLUPUS Scientific Activities web page 
 

Call for Applications for Short Visit Grants and Exchange Visit Grants

Summary

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease considered a prototype of autoimmune disease and inflammation. Without effective therapy SLE causes serious morbidity in about 1 in 2000 women aged between 20 and 50 years of age and considerable socioeconomic burden on European society.

The BIOLUPUS group has as long-term objective to apply genomics, proteomics and the use of translational databases to the identification of biomarkers of clinical utility. Thirty-five participants from 13 European countries are involved in this enterprise involving clinicians, immunologists and geneticists.

The network will serve as a basis for the creation of a database with clinical, environmental and demographic information that can be used for genetics studies as well as clinical trials of new drugs.

Duration

5 years, from June 2009 to June 2014 (07-RNP-083)