TEM Sarcoidosis Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Telomeres, Epigenetics and Metabolomics in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Project
IRAS ID
309950
Contact name
Paul Minnis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown cause characterized by inflammation in various organs especially the lung. The exact mechanisms underlying this disease and promoting sustained inflammation are still unknown, it is likely that the interplay of immune cells, genes and environmental including metabolic derangements may play a role in the development and progression of the disease.
Telomeres: Chromosomes are bundles of tightly coiled DNA located within the nucleus of almost every cell in our body. Telomeres are the repeated sequences that cap chromosomes. These undergo shortening with each cell division and serve as markers of a cell’s age. Previous research in fibrotic lung disease has documented individuals with short telomeres may have more rapid disease progression. We aim to investigate the relationship of telomere length in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and disease progression.
Epigenetics: Your genes play an important role in your health, but so do your behaviors and environment, such as what you eat and how physically active you are. Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work.
Metabolomics: Metabolomics is the comprehensive study of metabolism, the repertoire of biochemicals (or small molecules) present in cells, tissues, and body fluids. It is these small molecules that carry out the main work of functioning cells.
We aim to assess the role of telomeres, epigenetic, and metabolomics in the pathogenesis and clinical phenotypes of sarcoidosis.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0173
Date of REC Opinion
23 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion