COST Action

The aim of the COST Action GENIEUR is the creation of a pan-European interdisciplinary network to identify genetic factors (human genetics, epigenetics, metagenomics) contributing to IBS etiopathogenesis. The interdisciplinary connection of clinicians specialized in functional GI disorders, immunology and psychiatry and basic scientists focusing on (epi-) genetics, microbiomics and phenotypic analysis of case-control cohorts under the umbrella of GENIEUR is an important prerequisite for success in this field.
The COST Action is focusing on the following secondary objectives:

• Standardization and harmonization of criteria for case-control definition and recruitment as well as IBS patient characterization
• Establishing a phenotyping tool as gold standard for large-scale studies
• Creation of a database collecting data which will be created during the course of the Action such as harmonized inventories, inventories for the assessment of data such as exposure to environmental factors (exposure to certain germs, infection, gastroenteritis, nutrition), phenotyping tool, SOPs guidelines, presentations etc.
• Establishment of a biobank fostering a better data availability by collecting patient and control material (blood, tissue, stool) not only for genetic studies but also for analyses of functional / phenotypical consequences of coined genetic factors. Such a biobank could also be used to test novel pharmacological targets developed by pharmaceutical or 'agro-alimentary' industries ...