Current studies

Study Title – Perioperative Quality Improvement Programme (PQIP)

Summary – The Perioperative Quality Improvement Programme (PQIP) is an exciting and novel project being piloted in the NHS. Our aim is to improve the care and treatment of patients undergoing major surgery in the United Kingdom.

Local Principal Investigator – Dr Sinan Bahlool

Website – PQIP

ORION 4
is a clinical trial testing whether a new medicine called inclisiran prevents heart attacks and strokes.

Local Principal Investigator – Dr Katarzyna Dickinson

SIGNET will be the largest randomised controlled trial in organ donation. The trial will evaluate the benefits of Simvastatin given to organ donors on outcomes in organ recipients.

Summary – Statins in Organ Donor Management An evaluation of the benefits of a single dose of Simvastatin given to potential organ donors declared dead by neurological criteria on outcomes in organ recipients

Local Principal Investigator – Dr Sinan Bahlool

A UK-wide service that makes it easy for anyone to take part in vital dementia research. Anyone over 18 can sign up, whether you have dementia or not.

Simply register your details and a researcher will be in touch when an appropriate study becomes available. You can decide whether to take part in individual studies, with no obligation.

Join Dementia Research

MyMelanoma

MyMelanoma is recruiting 20,000 melanoma patients to join the largest study of melanoma ever performed. A study designed to answer the most important current questions about melanoma and its treatment.

MyMelanoma

Targeting Immune Pathways

Summary – The immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to defend the body against infection. Over 70% of the immune system is based in the gastrointestinal tract where it plays a major role in a complex interaction with trillions of microbes to maintain health. The breakdown of this interaction leads to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and contributes to many others including colorectal cancer.

We work on the nature of intestinal immune responses in health including diseases such as IBD and in the inflammation associated with some gastrointestinal cancers. We have used modern single cell technologies to redefine the cells of the human intestine (3). These technologies allow us to build a map of rare intestinal tissue cells in health and disease. Using this approach, we have discovered novel non-uniformity between various cell types and have then compared how these new cell types change to drive disease. We’ve also defined transcription factors and surface markers that enable these cells to be knocked out for studies in model systems and defined key cellular changes demonstrating new avenues for therapeutic targeting in this disease.

Around 40% of patients fail to respond or adequately respond to available immunotherapies. In this work, we will build on our previous findings to explore how the immune system is imbalanced in chronic inflammation associated colorectal cancer. This study will create an atlas of rare human intestinal cells and will highlight pathways that drive inflammation in early disease compared to chronic unresponsive disease. Based on this information we will generate disease identifiers capable of indicating inflammation or responsiveness to particular therapies. In addition, we will generate novel drug targets for those with unresponsive IBD and colorectal cancer.

Local Principal Investigator – Judith Tidbury

UK MS Register – The MS Register is a ground-breaking study designed to increase our understanding of living with MS in the UK.

Study Title – The impact of psychological stress on cancer burden and recurrence in ovarian cancer

Summary– The treatment of advanced ovarian cancer uses therapies to extend the amount of time before requiring more treatment. In the first instance, this is through a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. There is evidence to suggest that stress may have a part to play in weakening the immune system and changing the behaviour of the disease. We would like to explore this further by following the stress levels of women during treatment and follow up for ovarian cancer.

Local Principal Investigator – Dr Kate Lankester

Website – University of Brighton

DUALITY

Summary – Dual mobility versus standard articulation total hip replacement in the treatment of older adults with a hip fracture.

Local Principal Investigator – Mr Christopher Buckle

Study Title – SPIROmetry to Manage Asthma in Children

Summary – The SPIROMAC study will see if a breathing test called spirometry every three months can help prevent asthma attacks.

Website – SPIROMAC

Principal Investigator – Dr Oana Anton

Study Title – Genetics of susceptibility and mortality in critical care (GenOMICC)
Summary – Infectious diseases and severe injuries affect millions of people around the world every year. Most cases are mild, but some people become very unwell. Our genes (or DNA) determine how vulnerable we are to critical illness. If we could find the genes that cause some people to be more vulnerable, we may be able to develop better treatments for patients in the future.

Local Principal Investigator – Dr Judith Highgate

Website – GenOMICC

Study Title – The EXTEND trial

Summary – EXTENDed antibiotics to improve outcomes in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection.

Local Principal Investigator – Mr Yesar El-Dhuwaib

Website – The EXTEND trial