The three year program will see up to five new fellows appointed each year to build a network of research excellence into psoriatic arthritis
(Erlangen) – 07 November 2016 – Five European research institutions have come together to launch the PARTNER Psoriatic Arthritis Network Fellowship Program in recognition of the need to advance knowledge on the pathophysiology of psoriatic arthritis and to gain a better understanding of the specific molecular processes and clinical features of the disease. The host institutions include the Universities of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Germany), Glasgow (UK), Leeds (UK), Leuven (Belgium) and Paris Quest-Versailles Saint Quentin en Yveline (France), which are dedicated to psoriatic arthritis research and education.
Psoriatic arthritis affects up to 40 percent of people who are living with psoriasis and can often go undiagnosed,[i] thus leading to significant disability. Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis can be a tricky process because its symptoms frequently mimic those of other forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. It can also be confused with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.[ii] A better understanding of psoriatic arthritis through dedicated research will improve the diagnosis, monitoring and management of this condition.
Professor Georg Schett, PARTNER Scientific Committee Lead from the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg said: “Psoriatic arthritis is a complex disease which can have a debilitating impact on those who suffer from this condition. Psoriatic arthritis is distinct from other forms of arthritis and the lack of dedicated research into this disease makes diagnosis and management challenging. The PARTNER program encourages investigators to engage in clinical and basic research in psoriatic arthritis and come together to build a network of research excellence in psoriatic arthritis. This fellowship provides the right environment for the next generation of experts in this field to start their psoriatic arthritis research and benefit from exceptional teaching in this therapy area.”
Fellowships will be granted to allow a one-year stay in one of the host institutions to accomplish a research project orientated to psoriatic arthritis. Project applications need to be submitted to the PARTNER Fellowship Office by December 1st, 2016. Interested applicants can submit their application online and find out more information at www.partner-fellows.eu.
The PARTNER program is supported by Celgene, through the attribution of an educational grant.
About PARTNER
PARTNER is based on a network of five university centres dedicated to high quality psoriatic arthritis research and education: University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium and University Paris Quest-Versailles Saint Quentin en Yveline, Paris, France.
The participating centres form a Steering Committee that includes a lead researcher from each centre and is also supported by other researchers from across Europe. The Steering Committee is responsible for reviewing the applications and providing guidance on the scientific quality and progress of the fellowships.
Applicants will have to submit a research proposal describing their planned study along with their choice of the host centre where they would like to conduct the research.
For more information visit: www.partner-fellows.eu.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sandra Jeleazcov
PARTNER Fellowship Office
+49 9131 39109
References
[i] World Psoriasis Day Consortium. Facts about Psoriasis. Accessed March 2015. (http://www.worldpsoriasisday.com/web/page.aspx?refid=129)
[ii] Arthritis Foundation. Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosis. http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/psoriatic-arthritis/diagnosing.php