Resources for Researchers
The Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT) supports three genetics research resources for autoimmune diseases.
The Multiple Autoimmune Disease Genetics Consortium collects clinical data and genetic material from families in which at least two individuals have two or more autoimmune diseases. The data and samples will be made available to researchers studying the genetics of susceptibility or resistance to autoimmune diseases.
The North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (NARAC) collects clinical data and genetic material from families with rheumatoid arthritis. These data are made available to investigators to facilitate the characterization of the genes underlying susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. NARAC is jointly supported by DAIT, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the Arthritis Foundation.
The International Histocompatibility Working Group (IHWG) is a network of more than 200 laboratories in over 70 countries that collect and share data on genes of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex; this complex controls key steps in the immune response, especially those related to recognition of specific antigens. The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Region Genetics in Immune-Mediated Diseases program is the successor to the IHWG. In FY 05, NIAID, with co-sponsorship from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), awarded five research cooperative agreements under the new program which will define the association between HLA region genes or genetic markers and immune-mediated disease and organ and cell transplantation outcomes.
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