What is SYSGENET?
SYSGENET represents a network of scientists in Europe who use mouse genetic reference populations (GRP) to identify complex genetic factors influencing phenotypic traits. Studies with GRPs are expected to contribute to the discovery of principal biological processes and gene networks that are involved in disease phenotypes. The findings will be translated to human diseases and represent the basis for understanding disease etiology and developing new treatment strategies. These gene networks can be extended to other species, as well.
The researchers in SYSGENET are using various GRPs as model systems to investigate the biological mechanisms and gene regulatory networks involved in disease phenotypes. The SYSGENET network partners are studying phenotypes relevant to infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders, metabolic diseases, cancer, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and infertility. The GRPs presently exploited by the network laboratories include inbred strains, consomic strains, recombinant inbred strains, congenic strains, interspecific recombinant congenic strains, outbred populations, and the upcoming large recombinant inbred strain collection known as the collaborative cross.
SYSGENET integrates the different national, European, and world-wide research programs in the field of complex genetics, systems biology, and the development of sophisticated experimental model systems. SYSGENET also reaches out to systems genetics programs in the United States and Australia.
Objectives and instruments
The specific objectives of SYSGENET are:
- to create a European network on systems genetics for complex genetic trait studies in mouse models by combining expertise, methods, exchanging results and connecting the different ongoing national programs
- to link to research groups studying human complex genetic diseases
- to prepare concepts for a EU mouse resource infrastructure for GRPs
- to interact with world-wide systems genetics programs
- to prepare calls for research programs in the field of systems genetics in Europe
The instruments used in SYSGENET are:
- Network meetings, scientific meetings and work shops
- Working Groups
- Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)
- Training courses
- Publications on GRPs and phenotype analyses
The principle scientific approach of the SYSGENET research projects will be to phenotype mice from different GRPs, to collate the data in a central database and to analyze them for quantitative trait loci and draw conclusion about associations between different diseases. The most innovative aspect of this approach is to commonly exploit the currently available and future GRP resources across many laboratories.
In SYSGENET, the participating laboratories will provide their expertise and contribute through their national funding programs to promote research in the area of systems genetics. Training Schools will be established for young researchers (PhD student level and early postdoctoral level). An exchange program will be developed as Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) to allow young researchers to visit other groups from the participating laboratories and to learn a specific method or get acquainted with another research area which is relevant for their studies.
