Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a collection of difficult-to-treat and debilitating connective tissue disorders. EDS’ various forms attack the bonds that sustain healthy joints and skin, leading to sometimes lifelong struggles with multiple skin wounds, damaged joints and malfunctioning vertebrae, among other issues. The inherited condition affects the proteins that are integral parts of healthy connecting tissue. 

With philanthropic and institutional support, a robust research and clinical program focused on EDS was established at CU Anschutz in early 2019. Gates Institute is the research partner in collaboration with the CU Anschutz School of Medicine to translate leading-edge research into novel therapeutics for new, highly effective treatments in concert with Children's Hospital Colorado, which provides patient-centered, coordinated EDS care at its Special Care Clinic.

Ellen Roy Elias, MD, professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine, is the medical director of the Special Care Clinic at Children’s Colorado. 

The research program at Gates Institute is led by Dennis Roop, PhD, professor of dermatology and associate director of Gates Institute, in partnership with Ganna Bilousova, PhD, co-director of the EDS research program, and Igor Kogut, PhD, associate director of the EDS research program.