We are building a collaborative network aimed at advancing research in synovial tissue-based studies. This initiative, named TRICIA, brings together various clinical centres across the UK equipped to conduct synovial tissue biopsies. We are partnering with leading academic institutions specialising in advanced tissue analytics, closely linked to clinical outcomes.
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Emerging Investigator Excellence Awards by the American College of Rheumatology
Two researchers from the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham, affiliated with Prof. Adam Crofts’ research group and involved in
Insights from a Focus Group on Biopsy Procedures in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) plays a vital role in shaping healthcare research, particularly in paediatric rheumatology where understanding patient perspectives is
Professor Adam Croft appointed as Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology
TRICIA lead Professor Adam Croft, has been named the new Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology and Head of the Rheumatology Research Group (RRG) at
New funding award – Early Detection of Severe Disease in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Professor Adam Croft has been awarded £392,004.48 by Versus Arthritis for the project ‘Early Detection of Severe Disease in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis’. Starting on
Our objective is to integrate synovial tissue analytics into both multi-centre clinical trials and routine clinical practice. By doing so, we aim to maximise the benefits of ongoing precision medicine efforts, particularly in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Securing funding for synovial tissue research is crucial for us to achieve our long-term goals.
We plan to enhance the capabilities of paediatric rheumatology in the UK by establishing synovial biopsy programmes at new centres. This involves providing training in minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided biopsy techniques tailored for children and young individuals. Additionally, we will gather data on the acceptability, tolerability, and safety of paediatric synovial tissue biopsies.
Standardisation is key to our approach. We aim to establish standardised methods for capturing both clinical and biological data. Furthermore, we are setting up a dedicated tissue analysis pipeline with uniform procedures for synovial tissue collection, processing, and analysis.
To facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing, we will deposit and present our clinical and experimental data in a unified platform. This platform will include web-based tools for knowledge management, supporting tasks such as data mining, analysis, and hypothesis generation. Through these efforts, we aim to advance our understanding of JIA and improve outcomes for affected individuals.
