Investigation of the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract
IRAS ID
290019
Contact name
Phil Quirke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
The microbiome is the collective term for the bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit certain areas of the body. Studies have shown that microbiome research help improve detection and treatment of cancer, but further research is needed to understand the precise role of the microbiome in gastrointestinal cancers.
Understanding the composition and role of the microbiome in gastrointestinal cancers may enable future studies, involving altering the microbiome with the aim of improving patient outcomes.
This study will involve three methods of tissue collection. First we will collect fresh tissue after the patient has surgery to remove cancer, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Second, we will collect fresh tissue by asking the endoscopist to take extra biopsies during endoscopy. Third, we will collect fixed (paraffin embedded) tissue that has been processed and analysed by the pathology department as part of the routine diagnostic workup.
The fresh material will be used to perform a number of laboratory investigations at the Universities of Leeds and Manchester to characterise the microbiome in detail and analysing the immune cells. Some fresh samples will be sent to the University of Guelph, Canada, for specialised laboratory work including microbial culture.
We plan to use samples that have been stored in the pathology department, following diagnostic testing. These samples, all entirely excess to diagnostic, will be used in laboratory investigations to gain a greater understanding of the microbiome.
The PhD studies will last for up to five years, however, the samples collected and microbes grown from them may be held for longer than this if they have further potential research value.
This research is part of two PhD studies, funded by Wellcome Trust 4Ward North, and the Stella Erdheim Endowment, University of Leeds.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0042
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion