PROCARDIS
PROCARDIS exploits advances in complex trait genetics and functional genomics to discover novel susceptibility genes for coronary artery disease (CAD). PROCARDIS is incorporating a definitive genome-wide association analysis, next generation sequencing and measurement of novel intermediate phenotypes to yield biomarkers for CAD risk and quantitative traits for genetic analysis

AIMS
- identify novel proteins and pathways implicated in atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis
- define new targets for prevention and treatment
- devise diagnostic tools
Challenge
Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Europe which represents 1/3 to 1/2 of overall mortality rates hardly needs to be underlined. Two well recognised general features characterise the cardiovascular mortality figures within Europe, of which CAD accounts for between 1/3 and 2/3: a great inter-country variability, with decreasing East-West and North-South gradients, and a falling prevalence in the Western and Southern countries contrasting the stable/increasing rates in many Eastern countries. The need for targeted studies with the aim of exploring the specific interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors is recognised as a priority.
Funding
The PROCARDIS project was funded with 10 million Euros through the 6th Framework Program of the European Union (LSH-2005-2.1.1-1). The project is aimed to integrate the efforts of key European basic and clinical scientists into one cohesive effort. It started in Apr 2007 and funding lasted till Sept 2011. After the funding ended, PROCARDIS is still actively doing research in the field of coronary artery disease genetics. For more details, see our publications page.
[Previous web address of this website was www.procardis.org.]
PROCARDIS research projects
Recruitment
Assembled a uniquely large and carefully phenotyped collection of subjects from UK, Sweden, Germany and Italy with early (documented CAD event before age 66) CAD with extensive clinical and biochemical intermediate phenotype data are available since study subjects have been examined in dedicated clinics.
- 2658 affected sibling pairs
- 1189 Trios families
- 4653 genetically enriched cases
- 5188 matched controls free from CAD
[PROCARDIS is no longer recruiting]
Data Generation
We genotyped about 7,500 CAD cases and controls using the whole genome Illumina genotyping array
Genotyped 3128 cases and 3349 controls using the IBC 50K chip
Genotyped 1000 cases and 1000 controls using the 200K Metabochip
Genotyped about 2600 cases and 2300 controls using the Exome Chip array
Exome Sequenced about 500 cases and later sequenced about 1000 more cases and 1000 controls
Imputed the genome wide genotype data using the Hapmap2 and 1000G reference panels
Collaborations
PROCARDIS collaborated with HPS, PROMIS and LOLIPOP consortia and formed the C4D consortium
The C4D consortium now is part of a bigger CARDIoGRAMplusC4D consortium
PROCARDIS is also involved in the EU FP7 CVGenes@Target project
PROCARDIS is actively involved in the UK Biobank project
Data Analysis
We have performed genome-wide association studies using the above genotyped and imputed platforms on CAD and various risk phenotypes like BP, lipids, fasting glucose, HBA1C, Homocystein, uric acid, etc. The results from these analyses are part of different meta-analysis consortia and the publications can be seen in publications page.
Current ongoing projects
Follow up functional work on known CAD loci (contact Dr Theodosios Kyriakou)
Analysis the Exome Sequencing data
Analysis of UK Biobank data
- University of Oxford
- University Münster
- The Karolinska Institute
- The Mario Negri Institute
- Centre National de Genotypage
- Institut de Recerca del Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau
- Università degli Studi di Milano
- Clinical Gene Networks AB (biotechnology company)
- Metabometrix Limited (biotechnology company)
- AstraZeneca (pharmaceutical company)
- CF consulting S.r.l. (dissemination and management)
- Uppsala Universitet (Molecular Medicine Group, Service Unit)
- University of Surrey
Mailing Address
Project Manager
PROCARDIS Office
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics
Roosevelt Drive,
Oxford,
OX3 7BN,
UK
Telephone
+44(0)1865 287-679