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International Relationship Fund: EU-NZ collaboration

Year:
2014
Duration:
24 months
Approved budget:
$195,406.00
Researchers:
Professor Tony Merriman
Health issue:
Rheumatology/arthritis
Proposal type:
EU Collaboration Enabling Grant
Lay summary
This application addresses the non-communicable disease gout, taking a genetic approach towards furthering knowledge of the molecular pathways of gout. The work will support new collaborative activity between New Zealand gout researchers (Merriman and Dalbeth) and a network of European gout researchers, led by Professors So and Lioté. This new network (Eurogout) is under the aegis of the European Crystal Network and is yet to receive dedicated funding. The collaborative activity ultimately aims to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for genes that cause gout, including a focus on pathways driving co-morbidities (e.g. diabetes, heart and kidney disease) and to study gene-environment interactions. Also developed will be a database with genetic, anthropomorphic, clinical, biochemical and environmental data that will facilitate further New Zealand-European collaborative research projects.