The Genomic Basis of Liver Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Genomic Basis of Liver Disease
IRAS ID
260411
Contact name
Tony Bjourson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Genuity Science (Ireland) Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
8 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
This study plans to recruit a large cohort of individuals with liver disease (across sub types of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without NASH, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patients and drug induced liver injury (DILI) patients) which will represent the largest known liver disease genomics study globally. The study focus is to research how our genes, environment and lifestyle influence disease risk, disease subtype, disease progression and drug response. We will do this by using techniques such as whole genome sequencing. We will conduct the research by collecting blood samples (containing our genetic material), a lifestyle questionnaire and relevant medical information from fully- consented individuals with liver disease. We would also like to continue collecting a participant’s prospective medical information from their doctor after enrolment in the study, for up to 5 years, to help us to research and better predict disease progression over time. All samples and medical data will be collected in a manner that aims to protect a participant’s identity. This study will examine genetic materials in the blood including DNA and RNA, in people with Liver disease. In some cases, changes in our genetic material can lead to health problems. Combining the information from these multiple different sample types will provide a more global and detailed view of the disease and disease mechanisms.
The study findings may be used to better diagnose, predict progression and tailor treatment based on a person’s genetic makeup. It may also lead to the identification of new drug targets for the development of novel therapeutics.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0247
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion