Haemoglobinopathies in European Liaison of Medicine and Science (HELIOS) is an action aiming to build a network of excellence to overcome the challenge that healthcare and research are facing towards the global spread of hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia syndromes. During the 4 years of duration, this COST project (CA22119) will be focused on integrating, harmonising, and spreading the existing knowledge and developing innovative services and tools, thus improving knowledge accessibility and healthcare equally across Europe and beyond which will improve survival and quality of life for existing and future patients.
HELIOS is chaired by Dr. Petros Kountouris from Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), Cyprus, vice-chaired by Dr. María del Mar Mañú-Pereira (Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron), Spain, and counts on the participation of 107 members from 26 countries (Albania, Belgium, Bosnia&Herzegovina, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Morocco, The Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States)
Five working groups will coordinate existing and emerging hemoglobinopathy-related activities in Europe, ranging from clinical and molecular research to data analysis and bioinformatics. Three of them are ERN-EuroBloodNet Members*:
