Genomic technologies to determine circadian regulation of psoriasis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using genomic technologies to determine circadian regulation of psoriasis
IRAS ID
362725
Contact name
Helen Young
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Symptoms of psoriasis vary through time suggesting an important role for biological rhythms in driving both disease expression and treatment response. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting 3% of the population worldwide, is a major global health issue.
From our previous work we have a good understanding of how cells can keep track of time. Our work in other inflammatory diseases, suggest that this may be due to underlying control of key elements of the immune system and the inflammatory response by the “biological clock”.
As there has been no progress on defining clock regulation of psoriasis, our project begins by using single-cell RNA sequencing to identify and compare, all molecular cell types in samples of venous blood and skin from healthy volunteers and from patients with psoriasis. By further sampling throughout a 24-hour cycle and use of bulk RNA sequencing, and through integrated analysis with single cell RNA data, we will identify the dominant cell types driving psoriasis. This aspect of our work will involve state of the art computational biology. We have already developed and validated our mathematical models and will draw on these well-established state-of-the-art methods.
Crucially, in this innovative and translational project we will investigate the influences of the biological clock on inflammatory responses in psoriasis; addressing key research priorities identified by Research Priority Setting involving healthcare professionals and those with psoriasis.
We are looking for people who have psoriasis (starting before age 40) and those that do not. For those with psoriasis it is important that there is some psoriasis on the skin. Participants will come to the research centre, at Salford Royal Hospital, where we will take blood and skin samples at different times during the course of the day. Participants will receive a gift voucher for taking part.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0350
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion