The BEAT-PCD Project
BEAT-PCD Clinical Research Collaboration (CRC) is a Europe-led international network of multidisciplinary researchers and clinicians interested in PCD. It was funded in 2020 by the European Respiratory Society, which in 2023 renewed its support for a next period (2023-2026). The network is coordinating research from basic science to clinical care, with the ultimate goal to improve diagnosis and develop treatments that lead to improvements in long-term outcome of patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). Read more.
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disease
Cilia are common structures throughout the body, so PCD may affect other organs, for example leading to situs inversus, congenital heart defects and infertility.
Mutations in more than 50 different genes have been identified to date, accounting for approximately 70% of PCD.
Cilia that line the mucosal surface are dysfunctional and cannot clear mucus leading to neonatal respiratory distress, persistent daily wet cough, recurrent upper and lower airway infections, bronchiectasis, hearing impairment and persistent rhino-sinusitis.
Featured events
More events can be found in the dedicated Events tab.
News
BEAT-PCD Newsletter
The issue 8 of the BEAT-PCD Newsletter is available here. All the previous issues are available on the News page.
Biobank project 'complete:PCD’
Job vacancy
A collaborative project, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), between the Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator (NATA) and University College London (UCL) is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist. The project aims to develop personalized antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare respiratory disorder affecting cilia function. The researcher will work on the design and evaluation of different ASO chemistries and modifications using airway cellular models, including air-liquid interface cultures. They will use optimal analytical methodologies to assess the efficacy of novel ASOs at RNA, protein and functional levels. The successful candidate is expected to have a strong work ethic, knowledge in nucleic acid drug development and to be experienced in cell and molecular biology. The NATA employee will be seconded to work full-time in the laboratories of Prof Hannah Mitchison and Dr Haiyan Zhou on RNA therapy, in collaboration with the teams of Prof Stephen Hart and Chris O’Callaghan, all based at the UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London. Follow the link for more information.
PCD Patient Conference 2023
Presentations translated in 4 languages (English, German,, French & Spanish) as well as the video replays are avaliable on our dedicated patients page.
Study call: Patients’ research priorities for primary ciliary dyskinesia
to participate & for more information, head over to the patients tab
New collaborative platform launched fo PCD Diagnosis
The "Work Package 7 - Improving PCD Diagnosis” has created a slack workspace to provide a collaborative platform about PCD diagnosis. In specific channels, BEAT-PCD members will have the opportunity to ask questions about protocols and methods and to share difficult cases (TEM, HSVM and IF).
Slack allows the sharing of images, videos or PDF files on the platform. The platform will be monitored and moderated at least twice a week by WP7 members providing answers or resources. We are asking members to keep opinion pieces to the minimum and we encourage the exchange of only evidence-based information.
If you would like to join, please contact Dr Mathieu Bottier to receive an invite.
