Pathogenomics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pathogenomics refers to genomic research on pathogenic microorganisms.

ERA-NET PathoGenoMics:

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www.pathogenomics-era.net.

An EU FP6 coordination Action on genome research of disease causing bacteria and fungi with the aim to join forces of research funding in the partner countries: Austria, Germany, France, Finland, Israel, Hungary,Latvia, Spain, Slovenia and Portugal.

The death toll caused by infections with pathogenic microorganisms is still highest among human diseases. This worldwide public health threat is even increasing because of new pathovariants spred by global tourism, enhanced resistance to antiinfective drugs, potential bioterrorist attacks, etc. Concurrently, the advent of functional genomics technologies allows the rational, systematic unravelling of pathogenesis-related genes thereby identifying new targets for diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention.

In contrast to human genome research with long-lasting, coordinated national programmes, the funding of genome research on human-pathogenic microorganisms (“pathogenomics“) is fragmented, but - nevertheless - ready for restructuring. PathoGenoMics supports the establishment of the ERA by:

improving the transparency and coherence of national research programmes / programme parts for genome research on pathogenic microorganisms (“pathogenomics”) by means of their tight and sustainable coordination and cooperation stimulating the continual cooperation and exchange of views of the leading funding bodies in the field as well as other relevant stakeholders (scientific associations, industrial associations, innovation agencies, etc.)

creating an internal market for pathogenomics with transnational movement/exchange of informations/knowledge, more abundant/mobile human resources, transnational systems for supporting innovation and technology transfer

defining a European Research and Training Agenda on pathogenomics as part of a European Research policy.