About TRICIA
A UK-wide consortium enabling tissue-based research in JIA
TRICIA – Tissue Research in Childhood Inflammatory Arthritis – is a collaborative infrastructure network that supports the delivery of synovial tissue research in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). By establishing a network of trained clinical sites and expert laboratories, and embedding standardised protocols and data pipelines, TRICIA 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.
Network News
Professor Adam Croft inaugural lecture: Restoring order to the joint: fibroblasts as cellular checkpoints of inflammation
On 6 March 2024, Professor Adam Croft, the Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology and Head of the Rheumatology Research Group at the University of
Dr Chrissy Bolton – Runner-up in the GOSH Image Competition
Dr Chrissy Bolton, MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow and a valued member of the TRICIA team, was recently recognised as a runner-up in a
Emerging Investigator Excellence Awards by the American College of Rheumatology
Two researchers from the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham, both affiliated with Professor Adam Croft’s research group and the
Listening to Lived Experience: Insights from a JIA Focus Group on Biopsy Procedures
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is central to the work of the TRICIA consortium, ensuring that the lived experiences of patients and
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
TRICIA 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.
