About Mesargen

Our aim in this international initiative is to provide opportunities for addressing various research aspects of the genomics of sarcoidosis with scientific rigor and clinical relevance. Consequently, the MESARGEN consortium has been established.

MESARGEN is an international framework established by Natalia Rivera, who serves as the Principal Investigator. Natalia developed this valuable resource during her postdoctoral training under the guidance of Professor Anders Eklund and Johan Grunewald in the Respiratory Medicine Division of the Department of Medicine at Solna, Karolinska Institutet. She benefited from the mentorship of the renowned geneticist, Professor Leonid Padyukov. Currently, Natalia is an Associate Professor (docent) of Medical Genetics and the Team Leader at the Center of Molecular Medicine at Karolinska Institutet.

MESARGEN aims to conduct translational and genomic investigations using large sample sizes, including diverse ethnic populations with well-phenotyped clinical data and molecular phenotypes (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics). Using high-throughput omics technologies coupled with cutting-edge bioinformatics and statistical methods, we intend to elucidate the underlying disease mechanisms of target-organ phenotypes in sarcoidosis (pulmonary, cardiac, skin, ocular, and neurosarcoidosis) and other extrapulmonary manifestations. Our goal is to identify specific genomic loci and genes that can serve as biomarkers for clinical applications in sarcoidosis, including early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring, through collaboration within our consortium. By examining molecular phenotypes and their integration, we aim to discover genes that could serve as targets for developing more effective gene-based therapies.

The MESARGEN consortium has brought together many scientific and clinical investigators from across the globe. The MESARGEN cohorts section describes current participating cohorts from different countries. MESARGEN also includes data from established biobanks.