Three categories of subjects are needed for lupus studies being conducted by the Lupus Family Registry & Repository of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

• People of all ethnicities who do not have lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) and have no family history of autoimmune diseases - The Foundation is particularly seeking African Americans, Latinos, American Indians, and Asians.

• Families with one or more male or female members who have been diagnosed with lupus as well as some unaffected blood-related family members - For each lupus patient, one person who is not a blood relative will be needed to participate (friend or individual interested in assisting lupus research).

• Men with Klinefelter's syndrome (with or without lupus) - This study will help to further the understanding of lupus and the involvement of the X chromosome. (See December 2009 InFocus, page 7, for information on Klinefelter's syndrome.)

All participants will be asked to sign a consent form, complete a questionnaire, and donate a blood sample. Participants do not need to live in the Oklahoma area. Blood drawing supplies and paperwork will be sent to participants who can have blood drawn locally. Then the blood will be returned to the Lupus Family Registry & Repository via Federal Express or another designated carrier.

Participants will receive minor monetary reimbursement upon study completion.

The Lupus Family Registry & Repository is a long-term research project sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

To receive additional information or register for the study, interested persons may call toll-free 1-888-655-8787, visit http://lupus.omrf.org, or write to Lupus Genetic Studies, 825 NE 13th, Mailstop 5, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.