Origins and impacts of EDS in connective tissues and skin

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Origins and impact of EDS in connective tissues and skin

  • IRAS ID

    153295

  • Contact name

    Suzanne Emerton

  • Contact email

    randd@uclh.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Z636410620150677, UCL Data Protection

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    5 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is an inherited disease of collagen, found in connective tissues, such as skin. EDS patients suffer from joint and skin problems (skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility) along with a large range of other disorders, including, delayed wound healing with atrophic scarring, easy bruising, tissue fragility, gastrointestinal and gum problems. There are many different types of EDS, with different mechanisms of action, and not all of these are well understood. This study will used advanced microscopy techniques called atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyse the changes in collagen as a result of EDS, compared to normal collagen. These changes will be viewed at the micron and nanoscale level (between 1,000 to 100,000 x magnification), and will focus on the differences in collagen construction through a process called cross-linking. These changes could potentially help clinicians understand the root cause of EDS symptoms, and provide a deeper knowledge of cross-linking disorders in collagen. Increasing our knowledge of how collagen is affected in EDS patients, may lead to improved treatment options for patients.

  • REC name

    London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/LO/0119

  • Date of REC Opinion

    7 Apr 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion