EUROGLYCAN: A systematic approach towards the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of CDGS, a novel group of inborn metabolic disorders caused by defects of glycosylation

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0068-2

Key words (English)

Glycosylation; congenital disorder of glycosylation; saccharomyces cerevisiae;
Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Scientific Research

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLG1-2000-00047

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.8 Generic R&D activities

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: University of Leuven (B):

Abstract (English)

EUROGLYCAN will focus on a novel group of rare metabolic diseases caused by defects in protein glycosylation. The defects result in mental retardation, severe disease and physical handicap.

Our major aims are to:
1) develop effective tools and promote early diagnosis;
2) collate patient information, useful for the identification and classification of novel types;
3) raise awareness, because the disorders are largely unrecognised;
4) establish a patient group large enough for systematic investigations and clinical trials.

To fulfil these aims:
1) a database will be created, maintained by the reference centre and accessible through Internet;
2) the material will be reviewed and a depository of cell lines will be generated;
3) diagnostic services will be made widely available;
4) interesting cases will be selected for research;
5) (mouse)models will be developed;
6)collaborations will be sought with companies for the development of therapies.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0068-2