Localisation of genes for multiple sclerosis in the HLA region [ 2003 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Justin Rubio (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Brian Tait ,  A/Pr Bruce Bennetts ,  Prof David Booth ,  Prof Graeme Stewart

Brief description Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects around 10,000 Australians. It is a disease of young adults with women being affected more often than men. While there are therapeutics available to treat it, these are very expensive ($10-12,000 per annum) and are effective in only a proportion of affected individuals. MS is governed by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic susceptibility factors, neither alone sufficient to cause disease, however, the study of these factors has been confounded by the complex nature of the disease. We and other researchers have identified the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex on chromosome 6 as harbouring susceptibility genes for MS. Our recent work has localised these genes in two distinct regions of the HLA complex. In this project we plan to localise these genes more precisely to permit their identification. By identifying these genes we hope to develop an understanding of their function in a healthy person and in a person with MS. Understanding what goes wrong during disease is a critical first step along the track to the design of novel therapeutics. A successful therapeutic agent would be designed to interfere with disease processes and treat the disease more effectively.

Funding Amount $AUD 426,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant