Understanding coronary artery disease genes
- Heribert SCHUNKERT, University of Lübeck (Germany)
- A. Jake LUSIS, University of California, Los Angeles USA)
- Jeanette ERDMANN, University of Lübeck (Germany)
- Nilesh J. SAMANI, University of Leicester (UK)
- François CAMBIEN, INSERM, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris (France)
- Eric E. SCHADT, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinaï, New York, NY (USA)
- Johan BJORKEGREN, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinaï, New York, NY (USA)
- Eric J. TOPOL, STSI, La Jolla, California (USA)
- Daniel TEUPSER, Klinikum der Universität München (Germany)
- Lesca HOLDT, Klinikum der Universität München (Germany)
In the last several years, Genome-wide Association (GWA) studies carried out by some of the members of this Transatlantic Network have identified genetic loci linked to an increased susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD). In many cases, despite a clear association of a particular gene with cardiovascular disease, its exact role in pathogenesis remains elusive. The main objective of the CADgenomics network is to use the GWAS results as a starting point, together with evidence at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level, to examine the underlying functional biology of the cardiovascular disease pathways in which they are involved. Members of this multidisciplinary network will focus on genes likely to act at the level of the arterial wall and/or affecting local inflammation. State of the art bioinformatics approaches coupled with manipulations of gene expression and function will be used to reach this goal. By yielding major advances in understanding the genetic pathogenesis of CAD this program may, it is hoped, identify novel therapeutic targets to tackle this important human disease. Junior scientists will work alongside experienced investigators in each participating institution, promoting further research in this exciting and fast-moving field.