Identification of the genes involved in the formation of platelets

A large research project identifies 68 regions of the genome that regulate the formation and structure of the blood cells, affecting in many diseases. Millions of genetic variants were analyzed in 70,000 individuals. The study, carried out in collaboration between 100 research institutions, of which nine Italian, was published in Nature.

The joint efforts of researchers from four different continents, pertaining to one hundred research institutions, nine of which Italian, identify genetic variants involved in platelet formation. The results, derived from the largest research ever conducted on this issue, are published in the journal Nature. Large Italian participation: four in the National Council of Research institutes - the Genetic and Biomedical Research institute in Cagliari (IRGB-CNR); the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Pavia (IGM-CNR); the Institute of Genetics and Biophysics in Naples (IGB-CNR); the Institute of Genetics of Populations inSassari (IGP-CNR) - and then the Scientific Institute San Raffaele in Milan; EURAC of Bolzano; the IRCCS Burlo-Trieste; the Shardna Life Sciences; the l'Istituto di zootecnica dell'Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore.

Reference: Gieger C, Radhakrishnan A, Cvejic A, T et al. New gene functions in megakaryopoiesis and platelet formation. Nature. 2011 Nov 30;480(7376):201-8. doi: 10.1038/nature10659.