Welcome to EpigenChlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are responsible for
both the world leading cause of blindness (trachoma) and the most
prevalent sexually transmitted disease which is strongly associated with
pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility.
Preliminary
twin study-based findings of members of this consortium estimate that
there is a 40% genetic predisposition to CT infections.
In order
to fully exploit human genomics in the battle against CT infections, it
is necessary to reliably determine aforementioned genetic predisposition
at the gene level to CT infection and to define a genetic fingerprint
that can be used as a marker for this predisposition. The
EpiGenChlamydia CA aims to structure trans-national research to such
degree that comparative genomics and genetic epidemiology on large
numbers of unrelated individuals can be performed.
For this
purpose, 6 interdependent workpackages have been defined: Epidemiology
(to define suitable cohorts in Europe), Genetics & Genomics (to
define a SNP-Chip, based on the complete host and bacterial genomes
available), Biobanking & Datawarehouse (to built a biomedical
ethically allowed central sample collection and data management system),
Research integration (to streamline all European groups working on
immunogenetics and chlamydial infections in general to gain synergy),
Dissemination (to extend and further validate this consortium), and
Project management.
The collective synergy acquired in the CA
will allow for the generation of scientific knowledge on the CT - host
interaction, knowledge on the genetic predisposition to CT infection,
development of tools for early detection of a predisposition to CT
infection, and development of alternative diagnostics to detect CT
infections indicative to specific treatment.
Moreover, it will
provide a basis for the development of effective active preventive
(vaccine) and/or curative measures for CT infections.