Germany launches a 16M€ epigenome program in the frame of the International Human Epigenome Consortium IHEC

DEEP will be the official German contribution to the world wide operating International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC). The DEEP program will be coordinated by Prof. Dr. Jörn Walter, Saarland University.

DEEP forms a network of 21 German expert groups for interdisciplinary epigenome research. DEEP will generate 70 reference epigenome maps of major primary cell/tissue types in normal and diseased states exclusively using NGS technologies. The scientific program focusses on metabolic and inflammatory diseases such as adipositas, fatty liver disease, bowel disease and rheumatic arthritis. DEEP combines strong experimental and bioinformatics expertise in epigenomics.

The goal is to generate high quality reference epigenomes which will be deposited in public repositories coordinated by IHEC. The DEEP epigenome program will be flanked by functional model studies using mouse and human cell systems. This combined program will produce new functional insights in the molecular processes of complex systemic diseases.

The partners in DEEP are: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg, Deutsches Rheumaforschungs-Zentrum Berlin, EURICE – European Research and Project Office GmbH , IFADO Dortmund, Institut für Arbeitsmedizin Dortmund, Max-Delbrück-Centrum Berlin, Max-Planck-Institut für Immunologie und Epigenetik Freiburg, Max-Planck-Institut für Informatik Saarbrücken, Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Genetik Berlin, Quiagen AG Hilden, Sanofi-Aventis Höchst, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universität Kiel, Universität Münster, Universität Regensburg, Universität des Saarlandes.

For further information, please contact:
Professor Dr. Jörn Walter
Phone: +49 681 3024367
E-Mail: j.walter@mx.uni-saarland.de