Introduction

ESDN comprises 8 partners in 6 European countries and provides an integrated research and diagnostic network for skeletal dysplasias. The objectives of ESDN are two fold:

• To understand what cellular, molecular and genetic factors cause bone dysplasias
• To develop effective approaches for the diagnosis of bone dysplasias

Ultimately this integrated and multidisciplinary approach will promote the correct diagnosis of many skeletal dysplasias.

ESDN was established in January 2002 with funding from the European Commissions Fifth Framework Programme (contract number QLG1-CT-2001-02188) with additional financial support from the Swiss government (contract number OFES 01.0258).