University of Bristol

Academic Institute

Lavinia PaternosterProf Sinead LanganDr Josine Min

B3711

Complex traits such as eczema are a significant burden on sufferers, their families and the health service. Dissecting the molecular mechanism (eg. DNA, RNA and proteins) in clinical samples of individuals with different subtyped of disease is essential for understanding, detecting, preventing and treating disease onset and progression. The ALSPAC eczema substudy has recruited 256 individuals to specifically study the molecular signatures of eczema subtypes. Skin and blood samples from these individuals are being prepared for RNA expression and DNA methylation profiling. We now propose to extend this to proteomic profiling (using the Olink Explore inflammation panel) of the plasma samples which have already been collected. Analysis of these proteins across subtypes of disease (and in combination with expression and methylation data) will allow us to more fully characterise the molecular signatures of eczema. This will in turn identify biomarkers that could be useful for detection and prediction of disease (and disease progression), as well as identifying proteins which might make for novel drug targets.

The aim is to identify novel biomarkers and/or drug targets for subtypes of eczema. With appropriate translation, this would improve diagnosis and treatment options of patients. through the BIOMAP consortium we have appropriate academic and industrial collaborators, to ensure this route to impact is accomplished.

01/02/2021