Mission

The consortium will generate the largest collection of samples so far assembled from treatment naïve patients recently diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation and ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcription status, protein markers, gut microbial content, patient genotype for known susceptibility loci, and classical clinical data will be extensively analyzed for the characterization of the cohort in order to create a molecular snapshot of IBD in its early manifestation. This massive molecular profiling will be used to yield a list of biomarkers indicative for onset of the disease.

The participating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will develop assays capable of analyzing panels of several hundred relevant protein markers as well as methods for rapid profiling of gut microbial content relevant for IBD. The proposed biomarkers will form a solid ground for development of improved diagnostic assays and will be a rich source to mine for novel therapeutic targets.

Based on the findings within the consortium, results are expected to improve many aspects of patient care, including the development of new personalized medical strategies and treatments.

Consortium History

IBD-Character is a four-year project running from Dec. 1, 2012, until Nov. 30, 2016.

Financing

IBD-Character was started with a €6 million grant from the European Commission´s Seventh Framework Program.

Points of Contact

Jack Satsangi (Coordinator) UK
The University of Edinburgh,
email: J.Satsangi@ed.ac.uk

Sponsors & Partners