The Wolfson Laboratories at the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU), University of Oxford, have previously undertaken a series of studies using samples of blood and urine from healthy volunteers to investigate the effect of various collection, transport or storage conditions on the concentration of particular components (or on the quality and yield of DNA) and for the validation of laboratory procedures or analytical methods. Separately, CTSU has designed and organised the Study of Heart and Renal Protection ...

GO TO STUDY

The Pediatric Vasculitis Initiative (PedVas Study) is a project which aims to improve the overall quality of care and health of children with childhood vasculitis by collecting clinical data and biological samples from vasculitis patients all over the world. The initiative is coordinated by the University of British Columbia and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. In the UK the PedVas study is sponsored by the University of Oxford. The initiative will help us better understand vasculitis and develop ...

GO TO STUDY

Our study aims to look for new genes and new mutations causing unexplained anaemias in patients who suffer from an inherited anaemia. We have developed in our diagnostic lab a novel high throughput sequencing test simultaneously looking for mutations in 20+ genes that cause inherited anaemias. Patients whose samples are referred for this test and in whom we identify novel or no mutations are invited to participate in the study. The study uses exome/genome sequencing to find new mutations and ...

GO TO STUDY

This prospective observational cohort study aims to recruit all children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis who are starting therapy with a biologic drug. A parallel cohort of children starting Methotrexate will also be collected. Recruitment and data collection will be facilitated by research nurses established in a number of key paediatric centres across the UK and in particular through collaboration with the MCRN/CLRN and its Local Research Networks (LRN). All children will be followed for a minimum of 5 years. The ...

GO TO STUDY

Study of immune function in patients with inflammatory arthritis

GO TO STUDY

Obesity is one of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart attacks. However, the biological role of fat (adipose) tissue in our body is not completely understood. We aim to investigate the relationships between molecules produced by adipose tissue and the risk of developing CHD and heart attacks by examining several key mechanisms involved, such as oxidative stress (the production of toxic free radicals) inside the blood vessel wall and in the heart muscle (myocardium). Patients scheduled ...

GO TO STUDY

Systemic IgG4 disease may affect multiple organs in the body, and is characterised by tissue infiltration with immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cells. The disease may affect the pancreas, the biliary tract, the lungs, the kidneys and other body organs. The disease may mimic cancer, leading to distress and unnecessary invasive surgery if misdiagnosed. There is little understanding of the natural history of disease. The extent (prevalence) of disease is currently unclear. Diagnosis is based upon a combination of serological, radiological and histopathological ...

GO TO STUDY

The primary objective of this proposal is to identify new genetic causes of craniofacial malformation. The major benefits from this endeavour are improved diagnosis, genetic counselling, carrier and prenatal testing, and prognostic information. Secondary objectives are estimates of the prevalence of different genetic variations and their range of consequences for the phenotype and prognosis. The research may also identify environmental factors that influence craniofacial malformation.

GO TO STUDY

The Activation of Coagulation & Inflammation in Trauma (ACIT) study is designed to identify the clinically significant mechanisms by which the body’s inflammation and coagulation pathways are activated immediately following major trauma. Severely injured patients are enrolled into the study in the emergency department, where blood samples are collected immediately, then at 24 and 72 hours post admission. Patients who are actively bleeding in the emergency department have additional samples taken after administration of the 4th, 8th and 12th units of ...

GO TO STUDY

UK-wide study of children and young people with juvenile-onset SLE. The aims of establishing a collaborative national Cohort Study and Repository of patients with JSLE with comprehensive collection of clinical data as well as biological samples are to: 1. Facilitate hypothesis driven research into JSLE 2. Determine the demographics of JSLE 3. Perform descriptive analyses of disease presentation, activity, and damage in JSLE and response to medication 4. Determine prognostic markers in JSLE 5. Establish the mortality rate of patients with JSLE and describe the causes of death 6. Determine the long-term ...

GO TO STUDY