TRIPP Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Translational Research In Intestinal Physiology and Pathology

• IRAS ID

  222907

• Contact name

  Matthias Zilbauer

• Contact email

  mz304@medschl.cam.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge

• Duration of Study in the UK

  5 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  The human intestinal mucosa represents the largest body surface, which is constantly exposed to a complex microbial community. A finely tuned homeostasis develops between host cells including the intestinal epithelium, associated mucosal immune cells and the environment. There is increasing evidence to suggest that exposure to environmental factors at critical time periods such as in utero or post-partum may have a significant effect on the development of this physiological intestinal homeostasis.

  Alterations to these physiological processes have been associated with the development of gastrointestinal (GI) disease, such as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that the digestive tract may also play a critical role in the development of other multi-factorial diseases.

  Major aspects of some of the fundamental processes involved in human intestinal physiology and pathology remain unknown, and one of the main reasons for this is the availability of data derived from human tissue. In order to further our understanding of molecular mechanisms in health and disease to improve human health there is a need for carefully designed translational research studies.

  The overall aim of this study is to further our understanding of human intestinal health and disease through the use of prospectively obtained human tissue samples in conjunction with corresponding detailed clinical data.

  The key themes for the study include:

  - Investigating the role of epigenetics in the intestinal mucosa and its implication in regulating cellular function during GI health and disease.
  - Development of clinically applicable diagnsotic and prognostic biomarkers in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease
  - Development and use of human intestinal organoid culture models as translational research tools to investigate GI physiology and pathology

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/EE/0174

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 May 2017

• REC opinion

  Unfavourable Opinion