Haematopoiesis in normal and in (pre)malignant context
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of the Haematopoietic system during normal ageing and in (pre)malignant milieu
IRAS ID
352644
Contact name
Gabriella Ficz
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University London
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to understand how blood stem cells work in healthy people and how changes that occur with ageing or early cancer development affect their behaviour. Blood stem cells, found in the bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, are responsible for producing all blood and immune cells throughout life. When this process is disrupted, it can lead to bone marrow failure or blood cancers such as leukaemia. By studying these cells and their surrounding environment, we hope to uncover how normal blood production is maintained and what goes wrong when disease develops.
The study will use umbilical cord blood and small sections of umbilical cord donated by mothers after birth. These materials are normally discarded and will only be collected after the mother has given informed consent. The samples will be separated into blood stem cells, immune cells and supporting cells, which will then be studied using laboratory tests, three-dimensional models and advanced analysis of gene activity and epigenetic changes. No additional procedures will take place during pregnancy or birth.
This research will help fill important knowledge gaps about how ageing and the bone marrow environment influence the development of blood disorders and leukaemia. The findings could guide future strategies to strengthen normal blood stem cells, prevent disease progression and improve treatments.
The study is sponsored by Queen Mary University of London and supported by funding from Barts Charity, Cancer Research UK, and the Francis Crick Institute. It will take place at the Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London) and the Francis Crick Institute in London. The study will run for approximately ten years, allowing long-term use of the collected samples for approved research into normal and cancerous blood formation.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0095
Date of REC Opinion
13 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion