Center for Connective Tissue Disorders

The Center for Connective Tissue Disorders (CCT) is part of the Department of Clinical Genetics of the VU University Medical Center (VUmc) in Amsterdam.

The CCT participates in the genome diagnostics service of the Clinical Genetics department, offering DNA diagnostics for a number of inherited connective tissue disorders. The genome diagnostic laboratory is the national reference centre for a number of inherited disorders.

A comprehensive list of disorders can be found on www.orpha.net. Testing is not limited to DNA, but includes, if possible and required, functional analysis of gene mutations. Testing is also offered internationally, eg. for Marfan syndrome and for Fanconi anemia (all known genes).

The CCT laboratory has tissue culture facilities and state-of-the-art equipment for protein and cell analyses including infrared imaging and Pamgene© microarray. The centre has access to central facilities, such as DNA sequencing and microarray.