ProgeNIA

A five-year, $5 million international research initiative funded by the National Institute on Aging could help scientists unravel the underlying genetic processes involved in certain age-related traits and diseases.

The ProgeNIA project will focus on Sardinia, an isolated Mediterranean island where historically there has been little immigration. As a result, most inhabitants share common ancestors and have inherited many of the same genetic traits. The interrelatedness of this population should simplify the identification of genes involved in age-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

“With this project we want to study aging, and in particular to identify genes involved in the development of several pathophysiological conditions typical of old age,” said David Schlessinger, Ph.D., chief of the NIA's Laboratory of Genetics. “The Sardinian population, thanks to its genetic patrimony, can make a fundamental contribution to the understanding of human biology.”

So, our annual meeting just finished, and our team has come up with lot's of results. The U.S. NIH has sponsored this project called ProgeNIA

The team has "Uncovered a New Piece to the Puzzle of Human Height"
discovered genes involved in Asthma and in β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

Here I am with Prof. David Schlessinger
Our NIH Coordinator.

If you would like to se more pictures go to My facebook page here.