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
Professor Adam Croft Appointed Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology
We are delighted to share that Professor Adam Croft, TRICIA lead and long-standing member of the University of Birmingham’s rheumatology community, has been appointed
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
European Workshop for Rheumatology Research
The European Workshop for Rheumatology Research (EWRR) celebrated its 42nd edition in Dublin City, Ireland, for the first time in 2023. The EWRR was
Consortium Launch
Funded by a UKRI partnership grant, TRICIA is a collaborative network across four academic institutions: Manchester, University College London, Birmingham and Oxford and has
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.
