- Genome Networks that aim at elucidating the causes of major diseases
- Systematic-Methodological Platforms
- Explorative Projects
The Disease-oriented Genome Networks:
In the genome network on Diseases Due to Environmental Factors scientists are investigating inflammatory diseases which are caused by the coincidence of genetic mutations and certain environmental influences.
In another genome network the human organism is being investigated as to how it reacts to infections with different pathogens or to inflammation.
In the genome network on Cardiovascular Diseases scientists are searching for the molecular causes of high blood pressure, heart insufficiency, heart rhythm disorders, and heart malformations.
Using functional genome analysis NGFN-scientists are tracing the causes of Diseases of the Nervous System. The spectrum ranges from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Stroke to addiction diseases and eating disorders.
In order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer diseases, scientists working in the disease area Cancer want to find out which alterations in the genetic material and in the control systems of the cells play a role in cancer diseases.
Experts in Genetic Epidemiology provide support for the scientists in the genome networks. Genetic Epidemiology is concerned with the spreading of diseases and their most important risk factors. Specialists from this field analyze the significance of genetic factors for the incidence and spread of certain diseases.
Systematic-Methodological platforms:
The research on cancer, heart attack or Alzheimer’s and other complex diseases is only possible when not only single genes but rather hundreds of genes are systematically investigated. In order to conduct such research at justifiable costs and in a reasonable timespan, scientists are dependent on sophisticated, high-throughput technology and appropriate data processing.
In the National Genome Research Network highly specialized experts apply these technologies and constantly develop them further. These expert groups and their research fields are combined under the term Systematic-Methodological Platforms in the National Genome Research Network.
The Explorative Projects:
Technical progress depends on new, visionary ideas.
But having good ideas is not enough. It is also necessary to have the financial means to implement them. With the funding of Explorative Projects, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) provides researchers with the opportunity to test whether their scientific “visions” are realizable and whether their hypotheses prove true. These projects can deal with questions of new technologies, technology development or explore an innovative research field or a new problem.
