A new biomarker for Red Blood Cells

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Development of a nano-diagnostic rheological biomarker (A new biomarker for Red Blood Cells)

  • IRAS ID

    309259

  • Contact name

    Karl Hawkins

  • Contact email

    k.m.hawkins@swansea.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Swansea Bay University Health Board

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 2 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    This is a pilot study that intends to recruit AECOPD patients who present to the ED department of Morriston Hospital (Swansea Bay University Health Board). It has been shown that abnormal red blood cell properties have been identified in these patients, specifically in Sepsis. The nature of these abnormalities stems from the viscoelastic (deformability) properties of the red blood cell worsening in sepsis and AECOPD compared to normal. At Swansea University a new test has been developed alongside the Welsh Centre of Emergency Medicine for assessing Red Blood cell viscoelasticity. This new test has been tested and optimised in healthy volunteers and is now ready to be tested in sepsis and AECOPD patients. This pilot study intends to investigate whether RBC in AECOPD has different viscoelastic properties compared to healthy controls as a precursor to a larger clinical investigation.

  • REC name

    London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/PR/1180

  • Date of REC Opinion

    16 Nov 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion