ANZGene: Australian and New Zealand MS Genetics Research

The major goals of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) genetic research are to identify the genes that influence disease susceptibility and the progression of symptoms. Knowing what these genes are and what they do will help researchers to understand the causes of MS and its progression. Armed with this knowledge we will be in better position to predict a person’s prognosis and design new and more effective treatments.

The Australian MS genetics research effort focuses on identifying the genes that influence the progression of MS and lead to relapses. The project is broken into three components:

• Phase 1 was the development of the MS Gene Bank. This has been successful in pooling Australia's MS samples to increase the reliability of results from MS genetics studies.

• Phase 2 will see the first samples undergo gene-mapping and analysis at the University of Queensland in early 2008. The MS Gene Bank continues to accept samples from People with MS.

• Phase 3 measures the amount of gene product in blood from samples from People with PPMS, Relapsing Remitting MS, Secondary Progressive MS and People without MS. 

The MS genetics team is a national, collaborative effort between a multi-disciplinary team of neurologists, geneticists, bioinformaticians and molecular biologists. MSRA has a secretariat function.

[Feb 2008] - Research Update

The ANZGene Consortium, formerly known as AusGene prior to the involvement of New Zealand researchers, is currently working with The University of Queensland to genotype 2,000 MS DNA samples with 370,000 genetic markers spread across the genome. Read more here

Recruitment of People Primary Progress MS to the Study

It is very important that as many samples from People with Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) are used to maximise the chances of identifying the genes that lead to this more severe form of MS. There is an underwhelming amount of research directed to PPMS, with limited treatments and understanding, making this facet of the Ausgene study pivotal to the worldwide effort.

If you have Primary Progressive MS Read how you can contribute to ANZgene here

If you have MS, consider donating to the MS Gene Bank.

Please call your local Clinical Contact for more information

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