MMaRO Study v2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Marrow Myeloid Anatomy and vasculatuRe Observational Study (MMaRO)
IRAS ID
342872
Contact name
Ananda Mirchandani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Survivors of a critical illness (life-threatening illness) continue to have increased mortality and poorer health, relative to the general population(1), often as a consequence of recurrent infections (2). White blood cells (WBC) (cells that are vital to fight infections and repair organs after damage) are made the bone marrow (BM). I have previously shown that low oxygenation (a common finding in critically-unwell patients) affects the BM’s WBC production. By understanding how critical illness affects the BM’s WBC-production, I hope to identify pathways that can be targeted to improve this process
BM sampling is rarely indicated in patients, unless a BM-related illness is suspected and it can be quite painful.
Patients undergoing elective open heart surgery are relatively healthy. In order to access the heart, the breastbone has to be opened exposing the BM, enabling the surgeon to take a small sample with no additional pain incurred on the patient ( who will be under general anesthetic) and only a theoretical additional risk of harm to the patient.The samples collected will be used to understand how the human bone marrow produces white blood cells in the context of low oxygen as well as dissecting the effects of ageing on this process. Cells will be cultured in room air or varying levels of oxygen and other chemicals to mimic the stress of a critical illness and the effect on BM cells will be ascertained by looking at cell numbers, types of cells and what proteins and genes they express. These cells will be compared to the cells found in the patient’s blood. Once this is understood, a method to test for drugs that may reverse these effects will be developed, enabling the discovery of new treatments for this purpose.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
24/SS/0093
Date of REC Opinion
6 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion