Identification of genetic and environmental factors contributing to disease susceptibility and clinical presentation of multiple sclerosis

The aim of this project is to identify factors contributing to development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a PhD project. MS is a debilitating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. The etiology is unknown, but both genetic and environmental fa ctors are involved. Identification of these factors can allow development of effective therapies, and could enable prevention of the disease in genetically susceptible individuals. The sub-aims of this project exploit the results obtained through previous collaborative efforts within the Oslo MS group, the Nordic Group of MS genetics and the GAMES (Genetic Analysis of Multiple Sclerosis in EuropeanS) collaborative. In particular we will correlate HLA class I and II, KIR and SH2D2A genotypes with MS diseas e expression. Since Norway is a high prevalence region for MS, we will also exploit the possibility of searching for susceptibility factors in MS patients having migrated to Oslo from low prevalence geographic regions. Furthermore, since activated T cells are supposed to play an important role in the etiology of MS, we will perform a systematic search for candidate genes involved in signal transduction pathways leading to T cell activation. Also, there is an agreement that the PhD student will work for a period in Cambridge, UK, to perform a candidate gene study in one of the gene regions identified through the GAMES project. The PhD student will also take part in the work with establishment of a national MS DNA biobank. This will be done in collaboration with the National MS competence centre and the National Institute of Public Health.