Programmes Européens EU PCRD6

A genome-wide mapping and functional genomics approach to elucidating precocious coronary artery disease (PROCARDIS)

• Coordinator

  Contact Person:
  WATKINS, Hugh (Professor)
  Tel: +44-1865220257
  Fax: +44-1865768844
  Email: Contact

  Organisation:
  THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
  CLINCAL TRIALS SERVICE UNIT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PRIMARY CARE
  DEPARTMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
  University Offices, Wellington Square
  UNITED KINGDOM

Project description

Procardis is a European Commission Framework 6 (FP6) funded project which exploits advances in complex trait genetics and functional genomics to discover novel susceptibility genes for coronary artery disease (CAD). PROCARDIS is incorporating a definitive genome-wide association analysis and measurement of novel intermediate phenotypes to yield biomarkers for CAD risk and quantitative traits for genetic analysis.

Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Europe which represents 1/3 to 1/2 of overall mortality rates hardly needs to be underlined. Two well recognised general features characterise the cardiovascular mortality figures within Europe, of which CAD accounts for between 1/3 and 2/3: a great inter-country variability, with decreasing East-West and North-South gradients, and a falling prevalence in the Western and Southern countries contrasting the stable/increasing rates in many Eastern countries. The need for targeted studies with the aim of exploring the specific interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors is recognised as a priority.

The specific aims of the Procardis project are:

• identify novel proteins and pathways implicated in atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis
• define new targets for prevention and treatment
• devise diagnostic tools

The Procardis project is funded with 10 million Euros through the 6th Framework Program of the European Union (LSH-2005-2.1.1-1). The project is aimed to integrate the efforts of key European basic and clinical scientists into one cohesive effort. It started in Apr 2007 and will run for 4 years.

Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM
• COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, FRANCE
• ASTRAZENECA, SWEDEN
• LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR ARTERIOSKLEROSEFORSCHUNG AN DER UNIVERSITAT MUNSTER, GERMANY
• KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET, SWEDEN
• DIGILAB BIOVISION GMBH, GERMANY
• CLINICAL GENE NETWORKS AB, SWEDEN
• UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO, ITALY
• INSTITUT DE RECERCA DEL HOSPITAL DE LA SANTA CREU I SANT PAU, SPAIN
• ISTITUTO DI RICERCHE FARMACOLOGICHE MARIO NEGRI, ITALY
• CONSORTIUM NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE EN GENOMIQUE - CNG, FRANCE
• CF CONSULTING FINANZIAMENTI UNIONE EUROPEA SRL, ITALY
• METABOMETRIX LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM