Red Europea de genética de la diabetes tipo 1

Previous studies searching for genes associated with type 1 diabetes have been limited by sample size. To identify genes associated with a moderate risk of developing the disease (or conferring protection against it), the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) has been established with the aim of recruiting 2800 sib-pair families around the world. The European Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Network (ET1DGN) is a collaborative venture that involves more than 100 European centers, including six from Spain, whose aim is to study the genetics and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. As part of the T1DGC, its main objective is to recruit 1200 families in which at least two siblings have type 1 diabetes diagnosed before the age of 35. The ultimate goal is to promote further and closer collaboration between the European centres involved, which will include transferring knowledge from some centers to others and sharing resources. Although there is already a significant level of participation in Spain, there are still many centers that could contribute to the aims of this project, as well as enjoy the benefits of taking part in an international endeavor of this kind. Participation is still open, and family recruitment will continue until December 2006.