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(Oklahoma City/March 19/OMRF) Since 1991, researchers at the Lupus
Genetics Study, housed at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation,
have been seeking to isolate the causes of systemic lupus erythematosus
(lupus or SLE). This has proven to be a massive undertaking.
The goal of the study is to determine which genes cause lupus.
This discovery would pave the way for more focused treatments that
could narrowly target the symptom or its cause with greater efficiency
thereby reducing side-effects. Researchers also hope that, with
this information and further research, a cure can be discovered.
To further this research, the Lupus Genetic Study is urgently seeking
people of varying age, sex and ethnicity for participation in the
study. The study is looking for people without lupus anywhere in
their family (excluding non-blood relatives such as a spouse, in-law
or step-relative) to volunteer to give a small, one-time blood sample.
The sample will be paired with a study participant of the same demographic
make-up that has lupus and will allow researchers to rule out certain
external factors.
The study is experiencing a severe lack of volunteers and requests
the help of any group or individual within the lupus community.
The only criteria for being a volunteer is to match a participant’s
demographic make-up for age, sex, ethnicity and geographic location
and not have a blood relative already involved in our study.
Over five-hundred volunteers from all fifty states as well as Canada
and Puerto Rico are needed. There is no travel involved and the
Lupus Genetics Study will incur all charges associated with volunteering
and will compensate all volunteers who send in a sample. Samples
can be drawn locally and shipped to the study.
For more information about the study or to volunteer in any way,
please contact the study at 1-888-OK LUPUS (655-8787) or can e-mail
through our website at http://lupus.omrf.ouhsc.edu
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