European Network of Genomic and Genetic Epidemiology
| |
| About ENGAGE |
| Workplan |
| Background |
| Partners |
| Contact us |
|
Workplan |
The ENGAGE project consists of 8 research lines and 2 components dealing with “Training and Dissemination” and “Coordination”. Each component forms a workpackage (WP). The overall structure is summarized in the figure below.
|
Description of each workpackage
WP1 Genome Wide Data Integration and statistical genetics (Leader: Mark McCarthy, Oxford University, UK):WP1 will contribute to the integration of large-scale genetic and genomic data generated by multiple ENGAGE Partners, and the analyses of those data to reveal novel disease-susceptibility genes. Validation (confirmation of genotypes in the original GWA samples) and replication (typing of additional, independent samples) analyses within this WP will establish that the variants which emerge from WP1 are very likely to be genuine susceptibility. WP1 will initially deal with GWA data generated from the current ‘wave’ of common-SNP based reagents, but will in turn direct its attention to other sources of genome sequence variation (WP2) and novel phenotypes (WP3).
WP2 Novel sources of genome wide variation (Leader: Xavier Estivill, Centre for Genomic Reglation, Spain):
WP2 will be responsible for ensuring that ENGAGE exploits the potential of accessing additional types of GWA (structural variants; methylation variants; deep resequencing) as the relevant technologies mature. ENGAGE Partners provide expertise and resources to expedite appropriate application of these technologies to ENGAGE samples. WP2 will have some resources to initiate specific small-scale projects in each area, though application to large sample sets will be reliant on external funding. WP2 will liaise closely with WP1 and WP4 to ensure that data are made available to the WP1 in standardized format and with relevant meta-data.
WP3 Novel phenotypes (Leader: Gert-Jan van Ommen, Leiden University Medical Centre, NL):
WP3 will ensure that we move beyond classical disease and trait phenotypes by providing expertise and resources in two areas. The first relates to improved analysis for multivariate and longitudinal phenotypes, the second to the provision of genomic data (expression profiling initially, proteomics and metabonomics after) to facilitate ‘genetical genomics’ relating DNA sequence variation, intermediate genomic phenotypes and disease/trait phenotypes. WP3 will interact with WP1 & WP6.
WP4 Informatics and bioinformatics (Leader: Alvis Brazma, EBI-EMBL, UK):
WP4 will be responsible for data management and logistics and informatics and for the integration of genetic and genomic data (proprietary and public) with existing biological and literature resources. Such integration is important at all stages of the project but it will have a particular role in WP5 where one aim will be to establish how prior information (on the SNPs and genes within a region) can be used to improve the efficiency of fine-mapping and resequencing.
WP5 Identifying the causal variants (Leader: Kari Stefansson, deCODE, IS):
This WP is concerned with refining signals emerging from WP1, the main objective being to characterize the variants most likely to be causal for the signals concerned. As a result of LD and allelic heterogeneity, the variants which produce the strongest signals on the GWA may not necessarily be those which are causal. In this WP, the aim will be: 1. To identify higher risk, lower frequency variants associated with the phenotype; 2. To identify new risk variants within the same gene or LD blocks (independent of the original signal); 3. To localise (wherever possible) the actual sequence variant predisposing to disease. As a result of WP5, we expect to have in hand either the aetiological variant (or variants) themselves, or highly-correlated proxies for them.
WP6 Epidemiology and joint effects (Leader: Nancy Pedersen, Karolinska Institutet, SE)
WP6 focuses on understanding how these variants interact with each other and with pertinent environmental/lifestyle exposures at the population-level, and on obtaining more precise estimates of their individual and joint effects on disease progression and risk. We will make best use of data from isolates/large pedigrees, prospective cohorts and our unique twin resources to support studies of such joint effects. Such information is essential for efforts at clinical translation.
WP7 Clinical translation (Leader: Leif Groop, Lund University, SE)
WP7 is designed to accelerate the translation of the findings into the clinical arena. It will build on the basic research findings of the previous WPs, but will provide additional insights into the physiological and pharmacogenomic ramifications. It will use the epidemiological findings of WP7 to explore the potential for the development of diagnostics, and data from prospective and cross-sectional cohorts to understand how genetic information can productively be combined with genomic (‘biomarker’) data to provide more precise diagnostic and prognostic tools. WP7 will also aim to understand how a molecular classification of disease can be used to improve the use of existing therapeutic agents. WP7 will concerned with the dissemination of findings to relevant biotech and pharma entities (including some within ENGAGE, and others without) to ensure speedy transition, where appropriate, into the development of clinical diagnostics, and novel therapeutics.
WP8 Societal aspects (Leader: Jennifer Harris, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NO)
WP8 will study the ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) surrounding our research through conceptual analyses and will play a major role in dissemination, communication and tool-building to promote interoperability in translational molecular epidemiology. Here we rely in many aspects, on the tools and codes of conduct developed or being developed in P3G effort.
WP9 Training and Dissemination (Leader: Jaakko Kaprio, University of Helsinki, FI)
To realise the final goals and ambitions of ENGAGE high profile publications in top journals but also several communications media are critical to make clinical and public health care community as well as general public and decision makers aware of the advancement. Similarly, efficient training program is essential if the project aims to have an impact on the research community, future generation of scientists, professionals in modern molecular epidemiology. They will be in critical position for future inventions in common health problems. WP9 aims at: 1. Dissemination of research outputs (actual and methodological) to the scientific and non-specialist audience; 2. Training of new generation of scientists in molecular epidemiology and genome medicine.
WP10 Coordination (Leader: Leena Peltonen-Palotie, University of Helsinki / Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, FI / UK)
The project coordination and management will be led by ENGAGE Project Coordination Office. The objectives of WP10 are: 1. To carry out the coordination, management and monitoring of the project on a day-to-day basis 2. To provide the infrastructural services required for the project. 3. To ensure that the project works as an integrated whole 4. To maximise the complementarities and synergies of its members. 5. To ensure compliance with reporting and other relevant issues.
|
Contact Events Partners
|