Focus: G-Proteins
The main goal of pharmacogenetics / pharmacogenomics is the individualised prediction of desirable and undesirable drug effects based on variations in relevant genes. A major challenge is to identify the relevant gene loci from the abundance of genetic sequence information. So far the main focus of such studies was on the analysis of genes that are important for drug metabolism and transport, as well as on genes that code for drug receptors.
In contrast to this, the research team of Professor Siffert at the Institute of Pharmacogenetics, University of Essen, Medical School, focuses on analysis of genes coding for G-proteins. These proteins play a major role in signal transduction from all receptors into the cell. These receptors are the main target structures of many drugs. G-proteins are thus in the centre of cellular information transmission (signal transduction). Based on this approach patterns of genes and polymorphisms could be identified which allow prediction of drug effects on a new level of accuracy. It is now possible to predict, which patients will respond to drugs of different indications with a high probability.
The associated genetic tests have been validated in clinical trials and are the subject of patents which have been already issued and of patent applications. In addition to these genetic testing services, Eurofins Medigenomix offers with the assistance of Professor Siffert expert advice in the scope of evaluation and interpretation of results and comprehensive scientific consultancy.
Since G-proteins, as described above, play a central role in cellular signal transduction, functional variations of these proteins have an enormous impact on drug efficacy and on the normal course of many different diseases such as infections, neurological diseases and cancer. A number of studies have shown that by using the "Drug Response Panel" developed by Professor Siffert (which refers to analysis of polymorphisms in genes coding for G proteins) drug reactions can be predicted with high precision for the following indications:
- Response and progress of a therapy with antidepressants
- Success of drugs lowering blood pressure
- Thrombocyte aggregation after administration of certain medicines
- Successful therapy of obesity treatment
- Immune response or response to vaccination to certain pathogens and their therapies with immune-modulating drugs
- Response to anti-cancer drugs
Our services:
In the area of G-proteins Eurofins Medigenomix offers the following services:
- Analysis of G-protein-coding genes, e.g. in the scope of clinical trials or in the area of preclinical research
- exclusive / non-exclusive usage of patented genetic tests for different indications (through acquisition of license)
- Scientific support for study design and evaluation, interpretation of results, support for investigation of the mechanism of action, particularly with regard to the available genetic tests
Please contact us to discuss your project or your study in detail: pharmacogenetics@medigenomix.de
