Projects 

At this webpage, a short summary is given of the projects that are being conducted within ReGeNet. For more information on the activities as well as for an overview of the scientific publications within the projects, we refer to the project websites.

Project 1: GENECURE: GENomic stratEgies for treatment and prevention of Cardiovascular death in Uraemia and end-stage REnal disease

In renal failure cardiovascular (CV) risk is greatly enhanced, posing a large burden on both patient and society. Elucidation of its genetic basis is important to allow innovative prevention strategies in these patients by: a) early identification of subjects at risk; b) better allocation of available prevention and treatment modalities and c) identification of novel pathways of organ damage as new targets for intervention. Genecure will pursue these aims by a coherent set of studies and initiatives that will 1) link existing initiatives into a joint infrastructure for collaborative genetic studies in renal populations,  and 2) identify genes relevant to accelerated CV damage in end-stage renal disease, in terms of natural course and response to intervention, with emphasis on identification of targets for primary and secondary prevention. Furthermore, candidate genes from established pathophysiological pathways will be studied, and novel candidates identified from hypothesis free studies in rodent models and human tissue. In addition, a statistical risk model on impact of genetic and environmental factors over time will be developed for clinical use in risk stratification and decision making (to be tested in future prospective studies) and for scientific use for identification of research targets likely to have the largest clinical impact. This will provide a systematic overall assessment on the role of genetic factors in CV risk in renal failure, to be made available for guideline development and health economic evaluation. Moreover, a scientific and infrastructural basis for future collaborative genetic studies will be established.

Website
www.genecure.eu

Project leader
Prof.dr. Gerjan Navis
g.j.navis@int.umcg.nl
University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NL

Project 2: International EPS DNA Bank: Genetic Markers of EPS in Peritoneal Dialysis

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but often fatal complication in patients on peritoneal dialysis. The aim of this project is to establish an International EPS DNA bank to facilitate the study of candidate genetic markers which may predispose to EPS extending the study to an International cohort would give the statistical power to relate genotypes to the development of EPS. Standard clinical data will also be collected on all patients at entry to the study. This would provide a unique dataset to analyse epidemiology and ethnicity issues Understanding the genetic component to EPS will allow development of new therapies and may predict the response to treatment.

Website
www.epsregistry.eu

Study coordinators
Dr. Angela Summers
Angela.Summers@cmmc.nhs.uk
Prof.dr. Paul Brenchley
Paul.Brenchley@manchester.ac.uk
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK