The Ciliome Project

The Ciliome Project is an international scientific initiative aimed at mapping and understanding all the genes related to cilia, tiny hair-like structures on cells. Cilia play crucial roles in cell movement, sensory perception, and signaling; they are vital for respiratory health, development, and sensory functions. By characterizing cilia-associated genes and their functions across different species, the project helps researchers decipher how cilia work, how they malfunction in diseases (like ciliopathies), and paves the way for targeted treatments. It combines genetics, bioinformatics, and cell biology to advance our knowledge of these essential cellular components.