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"Food choices study" led by Professor Theresa Marteau at the Behaviour and Health Research Unit. This study aims to improve our understanding of the factors that influence food choices and preferences in a normal range of adults. Volunteers will undertake a single computer based task lasting 20 to 30 minutes. This can be completed from their own computer. You can view the full information sheet sent to volunteers here.
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“Identification of biomarkers of the IFN signature” led by Professor John Todd, JDRF/Wellcome Trust Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory. Our aim is to study IFIH1, responsible for sensing virus threats and generating interferon alpha, a powerful signalling molecule, in response to the infection, and how it contributes to type 1 diabetes. To do so, we will study Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), another autoimmune condition, where the same gene takes a major role, and where patients are known to have elevated levels of interferon alpha in circulation. We will measure the effects of interferon in gene expression and how this correlates with white blood cellular features. |
"Genes and mechanisms in clonal blood disorders" led by Professor Anthony Green at the University of Cambridge Department of Haematology. This study is investigating the way natural variation in genes affects the formation of blood cells, in order to better understand diseases of the blood system. Volunteers will be asked to provide a blood sample. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here.
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"Genetic factors affecting the neural coding of emotional signals in humans" led by Dr Andy Calder at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to provide a more fine-grained analysis of the particular areas of the brain that are associated with specific individual emotions in an attempt to improve our understanding of the way in which our brains process emotional information. This study involved performing a number of simple tasks, including looking at pictures of facial expressions or emotional scenes, listening to sounds, or reading emotional sentences whilst undergoing fMRI scanning and some behavioural testing outside the scanner. You can view the full information sheet sent to volunteers here and you can see more information about MRI scanning here. |
"Genome-wide association study of genomic stability" led by Dr Jeffrey Barrett at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Increased miconuclei frequency in peripheral blood (a marker of DNA instability) has been demonstrated to predict cancer risk (Bonassi et al, Carcinogenesis, 2006). Little is known, however, about how individual variation in DNA sequence relates to this trait. With the additional involvement of Dr David Adams, Dr Barrett's team will analyze red blood cells from planned volunteer blood donations to measure the level of DNA instability. These measurements will then be compared to matched DNA sequence variations at a million places in the human genome to look for correlations between the genetic variation and DNA instability. |
“Investigation of the functional role of the IL23R gene variant in psoriasis pathogenesis” led by Professor Frank Nestle, Mary Dunhill Chair of Cutaneous Medicine and Immunotherapy at King’s College London. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2% of the population in the UK. In this study Prof Nestle and his team aimed to determine the effect of a genetic variant in a protein called IL-23R that is known to be important in psoriasis. This study involved donating a single small blood sample and answering to a short questionnaire. You can view the full information sheet sent to volunteers here. |
"Neuronal mechanisms underlying the role of serotonin and its genetic polymorphism on compulsive behaviours" led by Professor Trevor Robbins at the University of Cambridge Department of Psychology & The Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute. The study is investigating the role of serotonin neurotransmission in the emergence and maintenance of compulsive and habitual behaviours. Volunteers will visit the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility where they will undertake a range of activities. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |
“Online Food Shopping Study” led by Professor Theresa Marteau at the Behaviour and Health Research Unit. This study aims to improve our understanding of the factors that influence food purchasing. Volunteers who participate in this study will visit a ‘virtual online supermarket’ and complete a variety of shopping tasks.
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"Phenotypes linked to common weight gain/diabetes genetic variants" led by Drs Savage, Farooqi, O'Rahilly, Wareham and Finucane at the University of Cambridge. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of how genetic variants alter body weight regulation and diabetes risk. The study involved a 3-day visit to the Clinical Research Facility at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Specifically it involved measuring food intake and how much energy the body uses, under carefully controlled conditions, in order to try to identify more effective ways of preventing weight gain and reducing the incidence of diabetes. You can view the full information sheet sent to volunteers here. |
"Study of ANCA associated vasculitis genetic variations" led by Professor Ken Smith in the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) - associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of autoimmune disorders characterised by systemic small vessel vasculitis. This study aims to better understand how specific genetic variations may contribute to AAV. Volunteers will be asked to provide a small blood sample. |
"Targeted Recall of UK10K Cohort/Cambridge BioResource – Genetic and Immune Studies" led by Professor Tim Vyse at King's College London. Existing studies have highlighted genetic variants that are common in patients with SLE, but are also found at a lower frequency in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study is to understand how these genetic variants influence the function of white blood cells. Volunteers will be asked to provide a single blood sample. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |
"The gut microbiota and NOD2 genotype in Crohn’s disease: a pilot study for the UKIBD Microbiota Consortium" led by Dr Charlie W Lees at Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. The aim of the study is to gain a better understanding of the composition of the gut microbiota in patients harbouring specific genetic Crohn's Disease (CD) risk variants. It is proposed that over time these genetic variations change the gut microbiota and this change of species could trigger the inflammation seen in CD. This study will use state of the art sequencing technology to define the influence of genetic variation on the host gut microbiota in those with, and without, CD. Volunteers who participate will be asked to donate a stool sample for analysis. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |
"The relationship between pancreatic beta-cell function and lipid turnover" led by Professor David Dunger at the University of Cambridge Department of Paediatrics. The purpose of this study is to find out whether genetic variation in the amount of insulin we release into blood could influence fat metabolism. Volunteers may be invited to spend a night at the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility to undergo a range of measurements including MRI and DXA scans. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |
"Time course and determinants of arterial stiffening" led by Dr Kevin O'Shaughnessy in the Department of Medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital. As we get older our arteries stiffen. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure and greater risk of strokes and heart attacks. Dr O'Shaughnessy and his team aim to measure how quickly arteries stiffen over time and to establish the reasons why they stiffen. Volunteers will be asked to visit the Vascular Research Clinic at Addenbrooke's Hospital to undergo a number of measurements and provide a small blood sample. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |
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"A study of the long-term safety and mechanism of action of alemtuzumab (Campath-1H)" led by Dr Stephen Sawcer and Dr Alasdair Coles in the University of Cambridge Department of Clinical Neurosciences based at Addenbrooke's Hospital. A previous international study has identified genes potentially involved in multiple sclerosis. This study aims to investigate a number of these genes, confirming their role, defining the mechanisms involved and potentially identifying new treatment targets. Volunteers will be asked to give up a blood sample. The full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |
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"PlAteletS in HeAlthy" individuals (PASHA) led by Professor Willem H. Ouwehand at the NHS Blood and Transplant. The overall goal of the PASHA study is to obtain a better understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms, which underlie the observed associations between common GWAS variants and the processes of megakaryopoiesis and platelet formation. In addition we would like to determine whether the GWAS SNVs also exert an effect on the prothrombotic function of platelets. Volunteers that take part in this study give a blood sample and the full information sheet sent to volunteers can be viewed here. |