COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Annual Progress Conference Action BM0803 A European network of the HLA diversity for histocompatibility, clinical transplantation, epidemiology and population genetics 29-30 May 2012, Zagreb Action Chair: Prof. Alicia Sanchez-Mazas Rapporteur: Prof. Aleksandar Dimovski Science Officer: Dr. Magdalena Radwanska Start date: 29/01/2009 / End date: 28/01/2013 COST Domain - Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences (BMBS)
population genetics need a fine characterization of the HLA molecular profile of human populations: (1) to control stem cell and organ donor-recipient matching, (2) to assess susceptibility or resistance in autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, (3) to study the genetic structure of human populations and the mechanisms of molecular evolution. Epidemiology HIV Malaria Transplantation Donor Recipient Public health Basic science Population genetics HLA loci on chromosome 6 HLA-NET aims to Offer an innovative framework by which scientists in bone marrow transplantation, epidemiology and population genetics share their expertise in laboratory work, clinical work, ethical issues, population genetics, biostatistics and computer science.
the molecular characterization of the HLA genetic diversity of human populations in a standard way in order to ensure data quality and allow comparative studies. Scientific scope (2) HLA-NET aims to Elaborate consensual standards and define common procedures in immunogenetics to be used in daily practice and fundamental research.  Share high quality data and computer tools to analyze the HLA genetic diversity of human populations.
20% 25% Scientific scope (3) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Locus HLA-A North Europe & Quebecers Central Europe Southeast Europe Colors = geographic areas Locus HLA-B North Europe & Quebecers Central Europe Southeast Europe HLA-NET aims to Construct a detailed HLA map of Europe and pan-European regions. 4
online WG1 & WG2 & WG3 & WG4 7 Common paper published by 34 authors (Action members), currently online in early view, Open access, Acknowledgments Publication not possible without COST
computer tools available and bioinformatic pipeline running WG1 & WG3 In preparation AN INTEGRATED DATABASE SCHEMA TO REPRESENT GENETIC, GEOGRAPHICAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY FOR THE STUDY OF HUMAN POPULATIONS. Vangenot C, Galarza-Gonzalez F, Sanchez-Mazas A, Middleton D, Nunes JM Poster at the joint 16th IHIW-26th EIHC- 23th BSHIC, Liverpool May-June 2012 Common paper in preparation by 5 Action members, Acknowledgments
on public health Scientific outputs related to networking (5) 11 Under review (PLoS ONE) AN THE HETEROGENEOUS HLA GENETIC MAKEUP OF THE SWISS POPULATION Buhler S, Nunes JM, Nicoloso G, Tiercy JM and Sanchez-Mazas A Common paper in preparation by 4 Action members, Acknowledgments Poster at the joint 16th IHIW-26th EIHC- 23th BSHIC, Liverpool May-June 2012 11
2011 or prepared in 2011 and published in 2012, with acknowledgments to HLA-NET.  Meetings/conferences: • EFI REGION 8 Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Laboratories Meeting (Athens, March 2011) •EFI meeting (Prague, May 2011) • Discussion meeting on Human evolution, migration and history revealed by genetics, immunity and infection, Royal Society (London, June 2011) •15èmes Journées Educationnelles de l'EFI (Tours, Sept 2011) •«HLA-NET open meeting» at the Joint 16th International HLA and Immunogenetics Conference/26th European Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Conference/23rd British Society of Histocompatibilty and Immunogenetics Conference (Liverpool May-June 2012) Dissemination Dissemination through the Geneva University Euresearch Newsletter, Feb. 2012
IN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2009 5.8% of scient. budget Galarza Faviel UK  CH  Riccio Eugenia CH  IT  2010 2% of scient. budget Catanzaro Daniele BE  CH  2011 4.7% of scient. budget Carvalho Cláudia PT  UK  Riccio Eugenia CH  FR  2012 13.2% of scient. budget Buhler Stéphane CH  AU Cuénod Mélanie CH  NO  Gonzalez Faviel UK  DK Kitsiou Vera GR  NL  Kouniaki Diamanto GR  DE  Lukanov Tzvetelin BG  CH  Nokelainen Johanna FI  DE  Nunes José Manuel CH  UK  Pasholi Jonila AL  IT  Sanchez-Mazas Alicia CH  UK  Shyti Erkena AL  IT  Stylianou Galatia CY  CH  Vlachopoulou Efthymia FI  DE  17
Dimovski ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a) Met in MC/WG meeting (March 2011) b) A few e-mail contacts c) Excellent contact, scientific discussions d) Suggestions to improve this interaction: - through wiki - at additional meetings (e.g. core meetings) e) Rapporteur important to follow the Action, point missing aspects, stimulate participation, report on the Action 19