PI3K Signaling and Aberrant Neutrophil Function in COPD; Implications for Disease Susceptibility, Prognosis and Therapeutic Targeting
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Clinical and Experimental Medicine
Abstract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term that describes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis which are characterised by narrowing of the breathing tubes (airways), and are associated with lung tissue destruction. It is debilitating, affects 3 million people in the UK, and is the 5th leading cause of death (25,000 deaths in the UK/year). It is the only chronic disease with a rising death rate. UK COPD costs are estimated at £3.2 billion per annum. Annual NHS costs are £900M, 50% of which are due to unscheduled hospital admissions due to deteriorating symptoms. Better disease management would reduce this disease burden, but currently no treatments prevent disease onset or halt progression.
COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition, where the continued presence of excessive inflammatory proteins and cells in the lung cause damage. Smoking cigarettes is the most important risk factor, but only 15% of smokers develop COPD, and the disease runs in families, suggesting there are genetic factors that predispose towards COPD. Inflammation and lung destruction continue even after smoking cessation. This is poorly understood, but we believe that COPD patients have abnormal immune responses that drive disease even after noxious stimuli (cigarette smoke) have gone. Presently we cannot predict who will develop COPD or if all disease features are caused by the same underlying immune problem. It is vital to understand this, as it will help direct new treatments.
Neutrophils are white blood cells crucial for fighting infection. They leave the blood, moving (migrating) accurately to areas of infection, where they ingest bacteria, killing them with an arsenal of proteins contained within the cell. These proteins cause damage and inflammation if they are released in the body's tissues. Neutrophils contain genes that control the cell by dictating what proteins are expressed. These proteins could be enzymes, controlling chemical reactions within the neutrophil, or structural proteins, controlling how they move.
Neutrophils are central to COPD. COPD patients have many neutrophils in their lungs and the chemicals neutrophils release can cause the characteristic lung damage. Our data show that neutrophils from COPD patients are defective, migrating less accurately than cells from healthy subjects or people with other lung diseases and ingest less bacteria in models of infection. This is important, as inaccurate migration and reduced bacterial clearance could lead to more lung damage and poorer outcomes during infections; both of these are thought central in COPD. We have shown this harmful cell behaviour is due to increased activity of a protein enzyme called phophosinositide-3 kinase (PI3K). Abnormal PI3K signalling may be the cause of altered COPD neutrophil behaviour and correcting this may offer a new treatment in COPD.
We wish to investigate the molecular signals and identify the relevance of injurious neutrophil behaviour in COPD, using neutrophils isolated from blood and lung secretions of COPD patients, those at risk of developing COPD (family members of COPD patients) and healthy volunteers. This will determine how prevalent the defective neutrophil behaviour is across all the differing features of COPD, and whether you can predict who might develop the disease by assessing their neutrophils. We will then identify the cause of the defective neutrophil behaviour, by studying the activity of structural proteins and enzymes (and the genes that control them) within COPD neutrophils, using our extensive preliminary data and knowledge of cell signaling to focus our experiments.
Identifying the specific cause of defective neutrophil behaviour will allow us to form new targeted treatments for COPD, improving the health of patients with the disease. It may also allow us to predict who is most at risk of the COPD, developing a screening tool, helping to inform people about their lifestyle choices.
COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition, where the continued presence of excessive inflammatory proteins and cells in the lung cause damage. Smoking cigarettes is the most important risk factor, but only 15% of smokers develop COPD, and the disease runs in families, suggesting there are genetic factors that predispose towards COPD. Inflammation and lung destruction continue even after smoking cessation. This is poorly understood, but we believe that COPD patients have abnormal immune responses that drive disease even after noxious stimuli (cigarette smoke) have gone. Presently we cannot predict who will develop COPD or if all disease features are caused by the same underlying immune problem. It is vital to understand this, as it will help direct new treatments.
Neutrophils are white blood cells crucial for fighting infection. They leave the blood, moving (migrating) accurately to areas of infection, where they ingest bacteria, killing them with an arsenal of proteins contained within the cell. These proteins cause damage and inflammation if they are released in the body's tissues. Neutrophils contain genes that control the cell by dictating what proteins are expressed. These proteins could be enzymes, controlling chemical reactions within the neutrophil, or structural proteins, controlling how they move.
Neutrophils are central to COPD. COPD patients have many neutrophils in their lungs and the chemicals neutrophils release can cause the characteristic lung damage. Our data show that neutrophils from COPD patients are defective, migrating less accurately than cells from healthy subjects or people with other lung diseases and ingest less bacteria in models of infection. This is important, as inaccurate migration and reduced bacterial clearance could lead to more lung damage and poorer outcomes during infections; both of these are thought central in COPD. We have shown this harmful cell behaviour is due to increased activity of a protein enzyme called phophosinositide-3 kinase (PI3K). Abnormal PI3K signalling may be the cause of altered COPD neutrophil behaviour and correcting this may offer a new treatment in COPD.
We wish to investigate the molecular signals and identify the relevance of injurious neutrophil behaviour in COPD, using neutrophils isolated from blood and lung secretions of COPD patients, those at risk of developing COPD (family members of COPD patients) and healthy volunteers. This will determine how prevalent the defective neutrophil behaviour is across all the differing features of COPD, and whether you can predict who might develop the disease by assessing their neutrophils. We will then identify the cause of the defective neutrophil behaviour, by studying the activity of structural proteins and enzymes (and the genes that control them) within COPD neutrophils, using our extensive preliminary data and knowledge of cell signaling to focus our experiments.
Identifying the specific cause of defective neutrophil behaviour will allow us to form new targeted treatments for COPD, improving the health of patients with the disease. It may also allow us to predict who is most at risk of the COPD, developing a screening tool, helping to inform people about their lifestyle choices.
Technical Summary
COPD is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Data supports a genetic basis but screening (limited to Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency) can detect <2% of cases. We cannot predict who else is at risk. COPD encompasses different clinical phenotypes, however it is unclear if the same disease mechanism underpins all disease pathologies. Neutrophils (PMNs) are central to the inflammation seen in all clinical phenotypes and we have demonstrated that circulating COPD PMNs have defective chemotactic and phagocytic responses. This is seen in all disease severities, including early disease, is not present in other pulmonary conditions and is associated with abnormal Phosphoinositide3 kinase (PI3K) signaling. We hypothesise that aberrant PI3K signaling causes chemotactic and phagocytic defects which contribute to COPD pathogenesis.
We will address the following questions: Does the aberrant PMN phenotype predict the onset or progression of COPD? Is the chemotactic defect due to aberrant PI3K signaling? What is the molecular basis of the defect?
We will study PMNs from patients with COPD, across disease phenotypes, compared to healthy smoking controls to determine if the cell phenotype bridges all clinical phenotypes or is limited to specific pathologies. We will study circulating and bronchoalveolar lavage PMNs to assess if migration to the tissues modulates the chemotactic phenotype. Crucially, we will study family members of index cases to assess if the PMN phenotype is preserved across families, providing evidence of a genetic association for both COPD and cell behavior. We will study PI3K signaling using immunohistology, phase, DIC and confocal microscopy, cell sorting, mass spectrometry, selective inhibitors and PCR to identify the protein signals involved, their role in cell functions, the sites of their activities and their individual molecular signatures. Identified targets will be tested across COPD families to determine if they are a signal of risk.
We will address the following questions: Does the aberrant PMN phenotype predict the onset or progression of COPD? Is the chemotactic defect due to aberrant PI3K signaling? What is the molecular basis of the defect?
We will study PMNs from patients with COPD, across disease phenotypes, compared to healthy smoking controls to determine if the cell phenotype bridges all clinical phenotypes or is limited to specific pathologies. We will study circulating and bronchoalveolar lavage PMNs to assess if migration to the tissues modulates the chemotactic phenotype. Crucially, we will study family members of index cases to assess if the PMN phenotype is preserved across families, providing evidence of a genetic association for both COPD and cell behavior. We will study PI3K signaling using immunohistology, phase, DIC and confocal microscopy, cell sorting, mass spectrometry, selective inhibitors and PCR to identify the protein signals involved, their role in cell functions, the sites of their activities and their individual molecular signatures. Identified targets will be tested across COPD families to determine if they are a signal of risk.
Planned Impact
Who will benefit from this research?
We believe that this research will lead to new therapeutic strategies in COPD and in time, new treatments that are likely to reduce prevalence, improve COPD outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and slow disease progression. Identification of molecular causes could also lead to the development of screening tools to identify people most at risk of disease. The non-academic beneficiaries of this research will be patients, their family, carers and Pharma, but may also include employers and potentially the UK economy
How will they benefit?
COPD is progressive, debilitating and associated with considerable mortality. Recent research suggests there are 3.7million people with COPD in the UK and the Health and Safety Executive report that 40% of COPD patients are below retirement age and one quarter of these people cannot work due to their symptoms. Direct COPD-associated health costs in the UK have been estimated at £900M per annum, with 50% of this being hospital admissions during exacerbations. In my hospital, we estimate that reducing COPD re-admissions by 10% or COPD-exacerbation length of stay by one day on average would save >£500,000 per year. However, despite the high mortality, morbidity, prevalence and cost of the disease, a survey by the British Lung Foundation suggested that most people within the UK have not heard of COPD. Treatments are limited, none prevent disease or halt decline. COPD needs to be better understood, have more treatments for early disease and its profile needs to be raised.
The proposed research will enhance understanding of the mechanisms of disease and identify novel therapeutic targets. Poor neutrophil migratory accuracy and bacterial phagocytosis are compatible with increased extracellular proteinase release, inflammation and tissue damage and reduced bacterial clearance and increased susceptibility to invasive infection. We have identified a potential mechanism for the aberrant behaviour that is correctable in vitro. This is an exciting development in COPD pharmacologics and could be of significant benefit to patients and their families. Improved health, reduced hospitisations and lower COPD-related unemployment would have substantive public-health and economic benefits, and will be of interest to the media (raising COPD awareness), private commercial sector and policy makers.
Identifying the molecular mechanisms of COPD neutrophil behaviour will support the development of a COPD animal model based on a mechanism proven to be present in COPD patients. This would facilitate the development and assessment of emerging treatments in COPD and would be a considerable resource for the academic community and Pharma.
This project includes development opportunities for the applicants through collaborative exposure to well characterised patients and new assays. These skills will be shared among colleagues to support academic development in Birmingham and Cambridge. The project will also benefit researchers of other neutrophil-based inflammatory diseases. Methodologies and resources will be shared, to support UK academic excellence, raising the profile of UK-based research internationally.
Within 3 years, we will identify the mechanism of aberrant neutrophil function, the patients groups that demonstrate this abnormality (supporting either a focused phenotype or generic disease treatment strategy which will help with trial development) and will have identified candidate screening signals for people at risk of disease. Based upon this work, and on-going links with Pharma, we will test emerging tool compounds and will develop a murine model of COPD within 4 years, to be used in putative studies of new therapies. With emerging tool compounds being developed by Pharma, it is likely that human trials of medicants would require a further 5 years for development, including stage III clinical trials.
We believe that this research will lead to new therapeutic strategies in COPD and in time, new treatments that are likely to reduce prevalence, improve COPD outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and slow disease progression. Identification of molecular causes could also lead to the development of screening tools to identify people most at risk of disease. The non-academic beneficiaries of this research will be patients, their family, carers and Pharma, but may also include employers and potentially the UK economy
How will they benefit?
COPD is progressive, debilitating and associated with considerable mortality. Recent research suggests there are 3.7million people with COPD in the UK and the Health and Safety Executive report that 40% of COPD patients are below retirement age and one quarter of these people cannot work due to their symptoms. Direct COPD-associated health costs in the UK have been estimated at £900M per annum, with 50% of this being hospital admissions during exacerbations. In my hospital, we estimate that reducing COPD re-admissions by 10% or COPD-exacerbation length of stay by one day on average would save >£500,000 per year. However, despite the high mortality, morbidity, prevalence and cost of the disease, a survey by the British Lung Foundation suggested that most people within the UK have not heard of COPD. Treatments are limited, none prevent disease or halt decline. COPD needs to be better understood, have more treatments for early disease and its profile needs to be raised.
The proposed research will enhance understanding of the mechanisms of disease and identify novel therapeutic targets. Poor neutrophil migratory accuracy and bacterial phagocytosis are compatible with increased extracellular proteinase release, inflammation and tissue damage and reduced bacterial clearance and increased susceptibility to invasive infection. We have identified a potential mechanism for the aberrant behaviour that is correctable in vitro. This is an exciting development in COPD pharmacologics and could be of significant benefit to patients and their families. Improved health, reduced hospitisations and lower COPD-related unemployment would have substantive public-health and economic benefits, and will be of interest to the media (raising COPD awareness), private commercial sector and policy makers.
Identifying the molecular mechanisms of COPD neutrophil behaviour will support the development of a COPD animal model based on a mechanism proven to be present in COPD patients. This would facilitate the development and assessment of emerging treatments in COPD and would be a considerable resource for the academic community and Pharma.
This project includes development opportunities for the applicants through collaborative exposure to well characterised patients and new assays. These skills will be shared among colleagues to support academic development in Birmingham and Cambridge. The project will also benefit researchers of other neutrophil-based inflammatory diseases. Methodologies and resources will be shared, to support UK academic excellence, raising the profile of UK-based research internationally.
Within 3 years, we will identify the mechanism of aberrant neutrophil function, the patients groups that demonstrate this abnormality (supporting either a focused phenotype or generic disease treatment strategy which will help with trial development) and will have identified candidate screening signals for people at risk of disease. Based upon this work, and on-going links with Pharma, we will test emerging tool compounds and will develop a murine model of COPD within 4 years, to be used in putative studies of new therapies. With emerging tool compounds being developed by Pharma, it is likely that human trials of medicants would require a further 5 years for development, including stage III clinical trials.
Organisations
- University of Birmingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- HEALTH DATA RESEARCH UK (Collaboration)
- Medical Research Council (MRC) (Collaboration)
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) (Collaboration)
- Alpha-1 Foundation (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS BIRMINGHAM NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Collaboration)
Publications
Yip K
(2021)
Catching "Early" COPD - The Diagnostic Conundrum
in International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Wilson D
(2018)
The challenges of muscle biopsy in a community based geriatric population.
in BMC research notes
Wilson D
(2017)
Frailty and sarcopenia: The potential role of an aged immune system
in Ageing Research Reviews
Wilson D
(2020)
Frailty Is Associated With Neutrophil Dysfunction Which Is Correctable With Phosphoinositol-3-Kinase Inhibitors.
in The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
Walton GM
(2016)
Repurposing Treatments to Enhance Innate Immunity. Can Statins Improve Neutrophil Functions and Clinical Outcomes in COPD?
in Journal of clinical medicine
Walker EM
(2020)
Mitigating Health Risks to Reopen a Clinical Research Laboratory During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Framework.
in JMIR research protocols
Stockley JA
(2021)
There is No Fast Track to Identify Fast Decliners in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency by Spirometry: A Longitudinal Study of Repeated Measurements.
in International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Stockley JA
(2017)
Small airways disease: time for a revisit?
in International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Stockley JA
(2017)
Maximal mid-expiratory flow detects early lung disease in a1-antitrypsin deficiency.
in The European respiratory journal
Seccombe A
(2018)
What is the evidence base for fluid resuscitation in acute medicine? .
in Clinical medicine (London, England)
Title | Neutrophil animated film for educational purposes |
Description | A animated film of neutrophils, from the blood stream, migrating through tissues, phagocytosis and NETS to help explain what these cells do to policy makers, funders and the publics |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | Has been an incredibly useful tool when sharing my work and my plans. |
Title | Women in Academic Research Arts project |
Description | This is a celebration of women in science as part of Women's Day 2017 - where members of academic staff were painted as part of a large mural |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Impact | Brought together a diverse group of academic researchers who were women to celebrate our contribution to science |
Description | Botswana ageing policy group |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | A working group to discuss and inform policy changes in Botswana to protect rights of older people (not a protected characteristic in Botswana) Policy paper published and working group established |
Description | British Lung Foundation Advisory Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | British Thoracic Society |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Contributed to a paper for ISCF about health data use and coordinated funding |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | Further funding to enable the NHS to improve data quality to inform services and innovation through ISCF and HDR-UK |
Description | Design of International conference |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Bringing greater diversity to science meetings |
Description | Meeting with government ministers at BEIS |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | NICE AATD guidelines |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Patient working group on use of health data in reseach |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | Education saw an increase in the percentage of adults and children who would be willing to heave their health data used for research purposes through workshops which explained the potential good that can come from this |
Description | West Midlands Deanery LtFT Committee Member |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Designed clear template for LtFT training requirements to help trainnees and supervisors plan placements |
Description | ADMISSION: Co-morbidity clusters in acutely admitted patients |
Amount | £3,400,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 07/2025 |
Description | AMS Lecturer Start Up Grant |
Amount | £24,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2011 |
End | 06/2014 |
Description | British Lung Foundation Programme Grant |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Lung Foundation (BLF) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2017 |
End | 07/2019 |
Description | COPE-COVID - NHS Staff and risk and impact of COVID-19 |
Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2020 |
End | 08/2022 |
Description | COVID-TLC. Long COVID symptoms in community care. |
Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2021 |
End | 08/2024 |
Description | DECOVID funding - a COVID facing partnership between UCL, UCLH, University of Birmingham, Alan Turing Institute and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust |
Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2020 |
End | 06/2021 |
Description | ETHOS study: Enhancing the Health of NHS Staff - a pilot and feasibility study |
Amount | £750,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2019 |
End | 12/2022 |
Description | FP-7 |
Amount | £400,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research |
Amount | £204,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Versus Arthritis |
Department | Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 10/2017 |
Description | NIHR PhD Studentship |
Amount | £214,999 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Department | NIHR Biomedical Research Centre |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2015 |
End | 05/2019 |
Description | Neutrophil energetics in Community Acquired Pneumonia |
Amount | £450,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Dunhill Medical Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 08/2024 |
Description | Neutrophil phagocytosis in Alpha 1 Anti-trypsin |
Amount | $200,000 (USD) |
Funding ID | A1F 2019 |
Organisation | Alpha-1 Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 02/2019 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Neutrophils in Pneumonia and sepsis |
Amount | £750,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/S002782/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2019 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Non clinical PhD studentship |
Amount | £160,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Department | Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 10/2021 |
Description | PIONEER- HDRUK Health and data research hub in Acute Care |
Amount | £1,200,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Health Data Research UK |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2019 |
End | 05/2022 |
Title | Neutrophil migration assay using whole blood |
Description | This is a novel means to study facets of neutrophil function from whole blood (thereby avoiding issues of activating cells) that allows multiple experimental assays to take place simultaneously, thereby reducing the amount of blood needed to be drawn from patients to study these cells |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - human |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | We are still validating this, but the plan would be to share this for use in vulnerable groups where repeated larger volume blood loss would not be acceptable to patients |
Title | PIONEER The HDRUK Hub In Acute Care |
Description | PIONEER is a data safe haven and analytics environment built using Microsoft Azure, with cybersecurity testing which holds de-identifed NHS data for research and innovation. It has overarching ethics and CAG approval to link individual data across healthcare providers |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | 13 publication 32 requests for data access Data shared with 185 analysts across the UK |
URL | http://www.pioneerdatahub.co.uk |
Title | Proteinase footprint assay to study proteinase activity |
Description | 2 x Antibody ELISA assay that is specific and sensitive for neutrophil proteinase activity which can be measured in whole blood or tissue culture assays |
Type Of Material | Antibody |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | We are continuing to validate this, but hope to publish data about it in 2017, ready for use by other groups in 2018 |
Title | Research collaboration with Cambridge |
Description | Samples shared with Cambridge to allow completion of a project - they would not have access to these usually |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Abstract being presented at Neutrophil 2020 and paper under review |
Title | A deeply phenotyped dataset of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Birmingham; including granular ethnicity and multi-morbidity data confirmed in primary care; physiology, blood biomarkers, treatments, interventions, ITU admissions and outcomes. |
Description | PIONEER: The impact of ethnicity and multi-morbidity on COVID-related outcomes; a primary care supplemented hospitalised dataset Dataset number 3.0 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified in January 2020. Currently, there have been more than 65million cases and more than 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Some individuals experience severe manifestations of infection, including viral pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. Evidence suggests that older patients, those from some ethnic minority groups and those with multiple long-term health conditions have worse outcomes. This secondary care COVID dataset contains granular demographic and morbidity data, supplemented from primary care records, to add to the understanding of patient factors on disease outcomes. PIONEER geography The West Midlands (WM) has a population of 5.9 million & includes a diverse ethnic & socio-economic mix. There is a higher than average percentage of minority ethnic groups. WM has a large number of elderly residents but is the youngest population in the UK. Each day >100,000 people are treated in hospital, see their GP or are cared for by the NHS. The West Midlands was one of the hardest hit regions for COVID admissions in both wave 1 and 2. EHR. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England, providing direct acute services & specialist care across four hospital sites, with 2.2 million patient episodes per year, 2750 beds & 100 ITU beds. UHB runs a fully electronic healthcare record (EHR) (PICS; Birmingham Systems), a shared primary & secondary care record (Your Care Connected) & a patient portal "My Health". UHB has cared for >5000 COVID admissions to date. Scope: All COVID swab confirmed hospitalised patients to UHB from January - May 2020. The dataset includes highly granular patient demographics & co-morbidities taken from ICD-10 & SNOMED-CT codes but also primary care records and clinic letters. Serial, structured data pertaining to care process (timings, staff grades, specialty review, wards), presenting complaint, acuity, all physiology readings (pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations), all blood results, microbiology, all prescribed & administered treatments (fluids, antibiotics, inotropes, vasopressors, organ support), all outcomes. Linked images available (radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound). Available supplementary data: Health data preceding and following admission event. Matched "non-COVID" controls; ambulance, 111, 999 data, synthetic data. Available supplementary support: Analytics, Model build, validation & refinement; A.I.; Data partner support for ETL (extract, transform & load) process, Clinical expertise, Patient & end-user access, Purchaser access, Regulatory requirements, Data-driven trials, "fast screen" services. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Data sharing with > 185 analysts 13 publications 32 projects supported by PIONEER |
URL | https://web.www.healthdatagateway.org/dataset/cfa1ef13-8ae0-4827-8a0f-9d2df5244725 |
Title | AATD Database |
Description | A database of over 700 patients with AATD with serial data on symptoms, medications and co-morbidities that has been in place for 5 years, allowing the study of decline and response to treatments |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This has been shared with the NIHR funded Rare Disease AATD Collaborative to allow similar data collection across the UK |
Title | COPD CDRC Cohort |
Description | An database of patients with COPD, including in depth phenotyping of clinical characteristics |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | It is becoming an important tool in following changes in patients over time, and have led to the develop of a research grant to study the impact of small airways disease on the progression of emphysema |
Title | Early COPD Cohort Database |
Description | The BLF and Industry partners have funded an early COPD cohort to complement the more severe cohorts that are available internationally. This will be a unique resource for research and understanding the easiest signals in COPD. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | It has only just started and will be shared as an international resource once complete (pending ethical review of each data request) |
Title | HDR-UK Database in acute care |
Description | A curated database of > 2M health records from acute care episodes across the West Midlands |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Only just opened (Dec 2019) but already multiple requests for data access |
Title | Hosp patients admitted during COVID pandemic with coagulopathies including venous thromboembolic events & bleeds. Granular condition, multi-morbidity, interventions & treatments. Serial physiology, blood biomarkers, ITU spells, outcome. Deeply phenotyped. |
Description | In December 2019, the first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) was described and by March 2020, the World Health Organization had declared the disease (Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) a pandemic. Whilst respiratory symptoms are the fundamental feature of the disease, evidence indicates that the disease is associated with coagulation dysfunction which predisposes patients to an increased risk of both venous and arterial thromboembolism (TE) and potentially increased mortality risk as a consequence. Biomarkers associated with TE (D-dimers) are often raised in people with COVID but without clear evidence of TE. It is important to understand who is at most risk of TE, to manage disease effectively. This dataset (in OMOP) describes patients with and without COVID who were admitted to UHB including all those with and without TE. PIONEER geography The West Midlands (WM) has a population of 5.9 million & includes a diverse ethnic & socio-economic mix. Birmingham was hard hit by all COVID waves and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) had >8000 COVID admissions by the end of December 2020. EHR. UHB is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England, providing direct acute services & specialist care across four hospital sites, with 2.2 million patient episodes per year, 2750 beds & an expanded 250 ITU bed capacity during COVID. UHB runs a fully electronic healthcare record (EHR) (PICS; Birmingham Systems), a shared primary & secondary care record (Your Care Connected) & a patient portal "My Health". Scope: All patients admitted during the first wave of the COVID-19, both with and without COVID. The dataset includes highly granular patient demographics & co-morbidities taken from ICD-10 & SNOMED-CT codes. Serial, structured data pertaining to acute care process (timings, staff grades, specialty review, wards), presenting complaint, SARS-CoV-2 swab result, diagnosis of TE, clotting parameters, D-Dimers, acuity, all physiology readings (pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations), all blood results, imaging reports, all prescribed & administered treatments (fluids, antibiotics, inotropes, vasopressors, organ support), all outcomes. Available supplementary data: Matched controls; ambulance, synthetic data. Available supplementary support: Analytics, Model build, validation & refinement; A.I.; Data partner support for ETL (extract, transform & load) process, Clinical expertise, Patient & end-user access, Purchaser access, Regulatory requirements, Data-driven trials, "fast screen" services. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | PIONEER has supported 13 publications, 32 projects and >185 analysts with data |
URL | https://web.www.healthdatagateway.org/dataset/dd4629c0-14b6-4cba-8dcf-31ec5fea68bb |
Title | Hospital COVID patients (6th Jan 2020 onwards). Granular severity, ethnicity, co-morbidity. Serial physiology, blood biomarkers, images, treatments, ITU, outcome, pre/post admission healthcare use. Deeply phenotyped, longitudinal. Waves 1/ 2 |
Description | PIONEER: Deeply-phenotyped hospital COVID patients: severity, acuity, therapies, outcomes Dataset number 4.0 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified in January 2020. Currently, there have been more than 6 million cases& more than 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Some individuals experience severe manifestations of infection, including viral pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)& death. There is a pressing need for tools to stratify patients, to identify those at greatest risk. Acuity scores are composite scores which help identify patients who are more unwell to support & prioritise clinical care. There are no validated acuity scores for COVID-19 & it is unclear whether standard tools are accurate enough to provide this support. This secondary care COVID dataset contains granular demographic, morbidity, serial acuity and outcome data to inform risk prediction tools in COVID-19. PIONEER geography The West Midlands (WM) has a population of 5.9 million & includes a diverse ethnic & socio-economic mix. There is a higher than average percentage of minority ethnic groups. WM has a large number of elderly residents but is the youngest population in the UK. Each day >100,000 people are treated in hospital, see their GP or are cared for by the NHS. The West Midlands was one of the hardest hit regions for COVID admissions in both wave 1 & 2. EHR. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England, providing direct acute services & specialist care across four hospital sites, with 2.2 million patient episodes per year, 2750 beds & 100 ITU beds. UHB runs a fully electronic healthcare record (EHR) (PICS; Birmingham Systems), a shared primary & secondary care record (Your Care Connected) & a patient portal "My Health". UHB has cared for >5000 COVID admissions to date. Scope: All COVID swab confirmed hospitalised patients to UHB from January - May 2020. The dataset includes highly granular patient demographics & co-morbidities taken from ICD-10 & SNOMED-CT codes but also primary care records& clinic letters. Serial, structured data pertaining to care process (timings, staff grades, specialty review, wards), presenting complaint, acuity, all physiology readings (pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations), all blood results, microbiology, all prescribed & administered treatments (fluids, antibiotics, inotropes, vasopressors, organ support), all outcomes. Linked images available (radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound). Available supplementary data: Health data preceding & following admission event. Matched "non-COVID" controls; ambulance, 111, 999 data, synthetic data. Available supplementary support: Analytics, Model build, validation & refinement; A.I.; Data partner support for ETL (extract, transform & load) process, Clinical expertise, Patient & end-user access, Purchaser access, Regulatory requirements, Data-driven trials, "fast screen" services. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Data shared with >185 analysts 32 projects supported 13 publications - all supported by HDRUK Hub PIONEER |
URL | https://web.www.healthdatagateway.org/dataset/16a09f1b-3654-4ec3-9913-fb70cb1e2364 |
Title | Longitudinal, routine data for University Hospitals Birmingham NHSFT patients recruited to the 100K Genomes project that accessed Acute Care at UHB. Rare cancers & diseases, adult & children. Serial & granular. Investigations, therapies, outcomes. |
Description | 1 in 17 people are born with or develop a rare disease during their lifetime. 80% of rare diseases have an identified genetic component. However, there are usually significant diagnostic delays. The 100k genome project was established to collect clinical data, genomic sequencing & samples from people with rare diseases, to better understand disease & find novel treatments & interventions. This includes rare cardiovascular, ciliopathy, endocrine, gastroenterological, haematological, metabolic, neurological, renal, respiratory skeletal & rheumatological disorders & cancers. See https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/about-genomics-england/the-100000-genomes-project/information-for-gmc-staff/rare-disease-documents/rare-disease-eligibility-criteria/ The PIONEER University Hospital Birmingham (UHB) secondary care 100k genomics dataset contains granular demographic, morbidity, treatment & outcome data, supplemented with acute care contacts with serial physiology, blood biomarker data from UHB patients recruited to this programme, to better understand the acute healthcare needs of this group of patients. PIONEER geography The West Midlands has a population of 5.9m & includes a diverse ethnic & socio-economic mix. There is a higher than average percentage of minority ethnic groups & a higher than average proportion of patients with rare diseases. Birmingham is home to the first Centre for Rare Diseases for adults & children, treating more than 500 rare diseases & 9000 patients per year. EHR. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England, providing direct acute services & specialist care across four hospital sites, with 2.2m patient episodes per year, 2750 beds & 100 ITU beds. UHB runs a fully electronic healthcare record (EHR) (PICS; Birmingham Systems), a shared primary & secondary care record (Your Care Connected) & a patient portal "My Health". Scope: All patients recruited to the 100K genome project from UHB. This includes all routinely collected health data for all these patients, but data is uniquely supplemented with all acute care contacts through UHB. The dataset includes highly granular patient demographics & co-morbidities taken from ICD-10 & SNOMED-CT codes. Serial, structured data pertaining to acute care process (timings, staff grades, specialty review, wards), presenting complaint, acuity, all physiology readings (pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations), all blood results, microbiology, all prescribed & administered treatments (fluids, antibiotics, inotropes, vasopressors, organ support), all outcomes. Available supplementary data: Matched controls; ambulance, synthetic data. Available supplementary support: Analytics, Model build, validation & refinement; A.I.; Data partner support for ETL (extract, transform & load) process, Clinical expertise, Patient & end-user access, Purchaser access, Regulatory requirements, Data-driven trials, "fast screen" services. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Data sharing with >185 analysts 32 projects supported 13 publications to date |
URL | https://web.www.healthdatagateway.org/dataset/ceae4fe0-4e98-4e3c-85db-e86539aade81 |
Title | Patients admitted with a cerebrovascular evenGranular detail of care pathways. Multi-morbidity, investigations, interventions and treatments. Serial physiology, blood biomarkers, physiotherapy, outcome. Deeply phenotyped. |
Description | PIONEER geography The West Midlands (WM) has a population of 5.9million & includes a diverse ethnic, socio-economic mix. There is a higher than average % of minority ethnic groups. WM has a large number of elderly residents but is the youngest population in the UK. There are particularly high rates of physical inactivity, obesity, smoking & diabetes. WM has a high prevalence of COPD, reflecting the high rates of smoking and industrial exposure. Each day >100,000 people are treated in hospital, see their GP or are cared for by the NHS. This is the SAMBA dataset from 4 NHS hospitals. EHR University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England, providing direct acute services & specialist care across four hospital sites, with 2.2 million patient episodes per year, 2750 beds & 100 ITU beds. UHB runs a fully electronic healthcare record (EHR) (PICS; Birmingham Systems), a shared primary & secondary care record (Your Care Connected) & a patient portal "My Health". Scope: All patients from 2015 onwards, curated to focus on Stroke. Longitudinal & individually linked, so that the preceding & subsequent health journey can be mapped & healthcare utilisation prior to & after admission understood. The dataset includes highly granular patient demographics, co-morbidities taken from ICD-10 & SNOMED-CT codes. Serial, structured data pertaining to process of care (admissions, wards and discharge outcomes), presenting complaints, therapies, all physiology readings (pulse, temperature, blood pressure, screening for dysphagia, all sample analysis results (urine specimens, blood specimens), all prescribed & administered treatments and all outcomes. Available supplementary data: More extensive data including granular serial physiology, bloods, conditions, interventions, treatments. Ambulance, 111, 999 data, synthetic data. Available supplementary support: Analytics, Model build, validation & refinement; A.I.; Data partner support for ETL (extract, transform & load) process, Clinical expertise, Patient & end-user access, Purchaser access, Regulatory requirements, Data-driven trials, "fast screen" services |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | PIONEER has supported data access by >185 analysts, 13 publications and 32 projects |
URL | https://web.www.healthdatagateway.org/dataset/ddf7f82f-b453-442d-b562-bb0157593831 |
Description | Biomarkers of exacerbations in AATD |
Organisation | Alpha-1 Foundation |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We are validating biomarkers of neutrophil proteinases (elastase and PR3) during exacerbations, using a diary card to monitor for exacerbation frequency. We are recruiting 40 patients to follow up over 2 years and perform serial measures of these in house developed biomarkers in the stable state and during exacerbation |
Collaborator Contribution | Alpha 1 Foundation funded the project |
Impact | This has just started, so there are no results outputs as yet, but the diary card has been validated for use |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Birmingham Acute Care Research Group |
Organisation | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | A research collaboration between health staff, management and research staff to increase the delivery of research in acute care. We have provided academic oversight and help with grant writing, publishing and data analysis |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to clinical data, more input from clinical staff, so research activity can be increased across both partner sites |
Impact | A number of publications from acute care including: What is the significance of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance? Atkin C, Richter A, Sapey E. Clin Med (Lond). 2018 Oct;18(5):391-396. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-391. PMID: 30287433 Free PMC Article Assessing Fluid Resuscitation in Adults with Sepsis Who Are Not Mechanically Ventilated: a Systematic Review of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies. Seccombe A, McCluskey L, Moorey H, Lasserson D, Sapey E. J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Sep;34(9):1874-1883. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05073-9. Epub 2019 May 31. PMID: 31152360 Described Practices for Assessing Fluid Resuscitation in Acute Hospital Care: A Qualitative Study. Lloyd E, Ignatowicz A, Sapey E, Lasserson D, Seccombe A. Acute Med. 2019;18(4):223-231. PMID: 31912053 The prevalence and significance of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in acute medical admissions. Atkin C, Reddy-Kolanu V, Drayson MT, Sapey E, Richter AG. Br J Haematol. 2020 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/bjh.16487. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 31999849 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | British Lung Foundation Early COPD Cohort |
Organisation | University College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will recruit patients to this cohort and conduct clinical characterisation and studies of innate immunity. This will include 50 participants aged 35 - 45 who smoke without symptoms, 50 who smoke with symptoms but normal lung function tests and 50 who smoke with COPD. It is helped that this collaborative partnership will help identify the earliest signals in COPD. |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaborative partners will help develop the database and provide a management structure for collection of data. Collaborative partners include Prof Wedzicha (NHLI), Prof Brightling (Leicester), Prof Whyte (Edinburgh), Prof Singh (Manchester), Prof Wilkinson (Southampton) as well as collaborative sites in Belfast, Nottingham. Each site will recruit the same number of patients as outlined above, and will participate in predefined tests of science. |
Impact | This has just started, and so there are no outputs. The collaboration includes clinical sites, research sites (we are both) and Pharma input and patient recruitment is planned for 2017 |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | CATALYST Study |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Department | Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Data from the MRC grant used to power aspects of the CATALYST study and help decide initial drugs for targeting COVID |
Collaborator Contribution | Helped design and now run the management of this phase 2 Complex platform trial for COVID |
Impact | Still recruiting but 2 arms reported to date |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GSK COPD Neutrophils |
Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Studying the effects of new compounds on neutrophil functions and looking at pathways within these cells |
Collaborator Contribution | Providing compounds and helping with RNA pathway analysis |
Impact | American Thoracic Society Annual congress oral presentation European Respiratory Society oral presentations. British Thoracic Society Plenary talk |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | MRC ABPI COPD MAP Consortium |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Studying neutrophil functions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as part of a partnership between Imperial, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham |
Collaborator Contribution | Other partners are studying other cells, such as monocytes and macrophages |
Impact | Abstracts at American Thoracic Society, British Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society meetings , publications and further grants |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Multi morbidity with age and COPD |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Edinburgh University - Sonja Vermeren a |
Collaborator Contribution | We are working together with funding from Wellcome and GSK to have two shared pHD studentships across 2 sites, Birmingham and Edinburgh |
Impact | This has just started (October 2017) and so no outputs as yet |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Neutrophil and macrophage functions in COPD |
Organisation | University College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We wished to see if patients with COPD who had aberrant neutrophil functions also had aberrant macrophage and monocyte functions. We recruit patients and perform neutrophil studies and UCL staff perform monocyte studies and then grow these into MDM for further studies |
Collaborator Contribution | A very collaborative project where we both carry out bench work after patient recruitment at UHB/UoB |
Impact | No outputs as yet, but abstract planned at British Thoracic Society and a grant application to follow this preliminary data generation |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | PIONEER HDR-UK |
Organisation | Health Data Research UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | PIONEER Health Data Hub in acute care has led to the curation of new linked data in acute care |
Collaborator Contribution | We direct and run the HDR-UK Hub, including the formation of procedures for data curation, linkage and release |
Impact | Outputs are still under generation but there is a YouTube video describing our plans |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Small airways disease in COPD and AATD |
Organisation | Alpha-1 Foundation |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We recruited 90 patients with AATD and normal lung function for two year follow up study assessing clinical parameters, markers of inflammation and lung function decline including novel measures of small airways function |
Collaborator Contribution | The Alpha 1 Foundation paid for the research and will help coordinate dissemination, including a conference in Miami at their national meeting in October |
Impact | We have a publication in the European Respiratory Journal, we presented these data at the biennial AATD conference and wrote an editorial as to the utility of small airways tests in non AATD COPD |
Start Year | 2015 |
Title | CATALYST platform study for COVID |
Description | CATALYST is a rapid, open-label, phase II, a multi-arm multi-stage trial which rapidly tests promising drugs that are currently available, alongside other novel therapeutic options, to assess their safety and potential efficacy. This trial will include hospitalised patients with COVID-19 who are hypoxic, admitted to either hospital wards or ICU, and are at risk of deterioration. Drugs that show promising results will then be considered for larger-scale testing by one of the current national platform trials (RECOVERY or REMAP-CAP). The design of the CATALYST trial is such that new therapies can be introduced sequentially, based on secure laboratory science and clinical outcomes. Owing to its design and collaboration, CATALYST acts as both a filter and a "spring-board". It simultaneously discounts unsuitable agents whilst providing promising drugs with a quick and smooth transition into phase III trials. In doing this CATALYST helps meet the need for high-throughput screening (to identify promising COVID-19 treatments), as well as the necessity to get effective treatments to patients as quickly as possible. |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Drug |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2020 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
Impact | Became a nationally adopted, CMO prioritised COVID study |
URL | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/crctu/trials/catalyst/professionals/index.aspx |
Title | ETHOS staff health clinic = a trial to see if health screening can improve the health and well being of NHS staff |
Description | We are currently conducting a feasibility study which is in set up |
Type | Preventative Intervention - Behavioural risk modification |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2020 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | Initial feedback from staff has been very positive but the trial will enable formal evaluation |
Title | PI3K delta inhibitor |
Description | I have been working with GSK on the trial design for this product, with many others, and am national CI for the trial which has just started |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Drug |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2018 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
Impact | Inhaled PI3K delta inhibitor |
URL | https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02593539 |
Title | Simvastatin as an adjuvant during community acquired pneumonia |
Description | The BLF funding which supported the pilot study has ended, we have positive results being written up for publication and are applying for MRC EME funding for a national multi-centre trial |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Drug |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2016 |
Development Status | Actively seeking support |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
Impact | First intervention in sepsis which improves both survival, cellular functions and inflammation in sepsis |
URL | https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=eudract_number:2011-002082-38 |
Title | Ap to electronically capture exacerbations in COPD |
Description | This is an Ap compatible with Android and Apple products which can be used as part of a validated diary card to track symptoms in COPD |
Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Impact | We are starting to use this in a clinical trial |
Title | HDR-UK new data platform for PIONEER |
Description | A new digital platform for integrating clinical care data across primary and secondary providers |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | Allowing integrated data which is interoperable |
Description | ABPI meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Discussion group with ABPI partners about potential consortium funded projects |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | ABPI national events |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | An engagement event to showcase work to industry operatives and discuss future collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | American Thoracic Society Annual Congress 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of new data regarding phagocytosis in COPD with helpful debate about methodology and bacterial strain chosen |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | BTS Science Plenary Lecture 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the BTS Science Plenary Lecture at the winter conference. The conference was attended by 3000 people and the audience was made up of medical staff, researchers, industry representatives and some patient groups |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | British Thoracic Society Plenary Lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | BTS plenary science lecture about my neutrophil data in COPD and ageing. Lots of questions about my work which has led to a new collaboration and I have been asked to take part in a scientific committee for the BTS |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2015 |
Description | COPD MAP annual conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An annual meeting where I have presented research to national experts and industry partners to discuss results, potential collaborative plans and dissemination plans |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
Description | COPD9 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of research and next steps with an audience of scientific and clinical experts in the field of COPD. Lots of debate and a request to present data at Omaha, USA (2015) and Edinburgh (2016) to make more collaborative links |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Chair of BTS Science Committee |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Designing the foremost meeting for Respiratory Clinicians and Scientists in the UK but with significant international presence |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
Description | Data presentation at Edinburgh University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of data and a meet the researcher lunch at Edinburgh university |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Data presentation to engage with collaborators - Southampton |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Data presentation to build towards an MRC application in 2017 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | EU Workshop on Ageing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | An opportunity to discuss the effects of ageing on immune cell function and the need to plan for increased admissions for the elderly in new European countries that have a younger population |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Interview for national news |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | A radio 4 interview about my research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | MD Catapult national meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | A meeting to discuss how to increase the pace and scale of adoption of new innovation within the. NHS |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | Meeting a BEIS to discuss future health research funding |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A meeting with government ministers, industry leaders at BEIS (Victoria st, London) to discuss new policies for research funding |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | NHS Expo and NIHR National Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A presentation aimed at NHS England and DoH about the benefit of research in the NHS and how regional working can improve recruitment to clinical trials |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation at British Lung Foundation evening meeting to donors and patients |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Presentation of research to help promote lung research to a mixed audience of lay people, experts and funders |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation at international conference in Italy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Plenary lecture at International meeting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Presentation for British Lung Foundation for a stake holder national meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An opportunity to feedback about my research to potential donors and stake holders at this main charity plus a laboratory workshop that I organised. Lots of interest from a group who initially wondered if investing in "benchwork" was a waste of money and afterwards who all stated they were happy to fund translational research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2015 |
Description | Questionnaire on health data use |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Work shops and questionnaires about health data use in the UK - over 400 participants included in a series of events across the UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Research presentation in Trinity College Dublin |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation to Dublin Trinity College Medical School and researchers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Visit to University of Illinois to build collaborative links |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | To build collaborative links for a transfer of technology ready for grant application in 2017 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Webinar on COPD research and management |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Pro/ Con debate by webinar to discuss new research in COPD (including my own) and new treatment pathways. Reportedly watched by over 300 people to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Webinar series on health data use - 6 x 1 hour slots |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Six 1-hour long seminars covering topics such s safe data use, governance, health inequalities, data and COVID, with open Q&A in the end. 60 questions answered live |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://www.pioneerdatahub.co.uk/videos/ |
Description | World Pneumonia Day -2 events |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 2 x talks given at World Pneumonia Day. Each had > 500 attendees with a global audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |