About The TRICIA Network
The TRICIA Network is a UK-wide collaboration advancing childhood arthritis research through innovation, patient partnership, and tissue-based discovery. By establishing a network of trained clinical sites and expert laboratories, and embedding standardised protocols and data pipelines, the TRICIA Network enables multicentre studies that advance precision pathology and biomarker discovery.
Developing the infrastructure to support synovial tissue research in JIA. The TRICIA Consortium is focused on enabling and advancing multicentre synovial tissue research in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Our objectives are:
Standardise biopsy training and procedures
Provide training in minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided biopsy techniques and implement standard operating procedures to ensure consistent and safe practice.
Build capability across UK paediatric rheumatology
Expand synovial biopsy programmes and establish new clinical centres to support the delivery of synovial tissue research in children and young people.
Capture data on safety and acceptability
Systematically collect data on the tolerability, acceptability, and safety of the biopsy procedure using validated and age-appropriate outcome measures.
Develop standardised datasets and tissue pipelines
Implement protocols for the collection, processing, and quality control of synovial tissue, supported by defined clinical data collection standards.
Create an integrated data platform
Establish a centralised platform to store, curate, and share linked clinical, tissue, and bioinformatic data to support hypothesis generation and analysis.
These objectives underpin our ambition to embed synovial tissue analysis into JIA clinical trials and routine care, driving biomarker discovery and a precision pathology approach.
Why TRICIA Matters
Enabling precision medicine in paediatric rheumatology through integration of synovial tissue analysis into research and clinical care.
Expanding access to ultrasound-guided biopsy across the UK to ensure equity in research opportunities and clinical innovation.
Standardising sample collection and data pipelines to support high-quality multicentre studies.
Embedding lived experience and co-production into research to ensure relevance and acceptability.
What We Do
Clinical Implementation
We provide practical support for NHS sites to adopt ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy in children and young people with JIA. This includes mentoring, training, and resources for safe, standardised delivery of the procedure.
Research Infrastructure
TRICIA connects clinical sites with expert laboratories and bioinformatic platforms, creating integrated systems for the collection, processing, and analysis of tissue and clinical data.
Patient and Public Involvement
We work in partnership with children, young people, and families to guide study design, communication, and consent processes, ensuring research is ethical, inclusive, and patient-centred.
TRICIA Network News
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis research led by TRICIA Network featured in Hospital Healthcare Europe
Research exploring juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and the biology of the disease has recently been highlighted in a feature published in Hospital Healthcare Europe.
Young people share their views on synovial biopsy research
On 7 October 2025, members of the TRICIA Network joined a special Your Rheum session to talk with young people about ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy. Although the procedure has been discussed with children and adults in the past, this was the first time it had been explored specifically with adolescents and young adults.
Professor Lucy Wedderburn appears on ITV News to discuss MAPJAG study
Professor Lucy Wedderburn, Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and co-lead of the MAPJAG study, appeared on ITV News this month
First Results from MAPJAG Published in Science Translational Medicine
The first published results from the MAPJAG study have been released in the prestigious journal Science Translational Medicine, marking an important milestone in understanding
Researchers
Find out how to access TRICIA’s protocols, pipelines, and collaborative framework to integrate synovial tissue analysis into your JIA studies.
Clinicians
Access clinical guidance and implementation support for delivering ultrasound-guided biopsy safely and effectively within paediatric rheumatology settings.
Families & Young People
Learn more about what a synovial biopsy involves, how it fits into research and care, and how your voice helps shape our work.
Get in Touch
Collaborate with us to support tissue-based research in JIA
The TRICIA Network is a research infrastructure network rather than a membership organisation, but we welcome enquiries from researchers, clinicians, and institutions interested in working together. Whether you have a project idea, would like to contribute expertise, or want to find out more about our work, we’d be pleased to hear from you.