New study to explore genetics of eczema

A tri-state research collaboration is set to use sibling pairs to examine the genetic reasoning behind the most common form of eczema.

Westmead Hospital, together with Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the Australian Genome Research Facility and Royal Melbourne Hospital, are seeking volunteer sibling pairs for the three-year project.

Eczema is a skin disease effecting almost a third of Australia's population.

Staff specialist (immunology) at Westmead Dr David Fulcher said genetics were already established as a very strong factor in eczema, with an 86 per cent concordance in identical twins and 20 per cent concordance among siblings. But while genes were known to play a role, it remained a mystery as to which genes specifically caused the disease.

"We'll be trying to find chromosomal areas associated with atopic eczema among sibling pairs," Fulcher said. "We will take blood and look at chromosomes to come up with satellite markers for eczema."

About 300 pairs are needed for the study, which is being funded with $500,000 from the National Health and Medical Research Council over three years.

Beginning by searching a large chromosomal area, the researchers will examine candidate genes within those areas and then look for mutations of those genes in the hope of identifying possible interventions that could be developed as new treatments.

Westmead's head of immunology, Assoc Prof Grahame Stewart, said the work would use DNA collected to trawl through the entire human genome for clinical evidence.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the research should contact the Eczema Association of Australasia.