News & Awards
News
Awards
Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis IMPACT report
We’re proud to share that the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology has been featured in the latest Versus Arthritis IMPACT Report, highlighting key achievements and progress in improving young people’s lives.
This recognition reflects the dedication and innovation of our researchers and collaborators.
🔗 Read the full report on the Versus Arthritis website
Showcasing Excellence: Our Researchers Share Groundbreaking Insights
We’re delighted to see Professor David Isenberg, Dr Elizabeth Rosser, and Professor Claudia Mauri featured by Versus Arthritis, discussing their pioneering work in arthritis research. Their insights highlight the Centre’s commitment to driving real progress for people living with autoimmune conditions.
🔗 Listen to the conversation on the Versus Arthritis website
Abundance of key immune cells may be influenced by oestrogen and XX chromosomes
Centre research led by Professor Lizzy Rosser and Dr Hannah Peckham recently reported that women have a higher proportion of key immune cells between puberty and menopause, which may be linked to the sex hormone oestrogen and explain why they are less susceptible to certain infectious diseases than men.
Dr Hannah Peckham, first author of the study, said.
“Our study demonstrates that improvements in diversity and inclusion practices within medical research will not only advance our scientific understanding of sex-biases in disease outcomes but potentially shed light on novel strategies for personally tailored healthcare and potentially mitigate against health inequalities.”
This exciting paper received significant attention in the press and Prof Lizzy Rosser and Prof Lucy Wedderburn were invited on BBC 4’s ‘Inside Health’ to discuss these findings Listen: BBC Radio 4 “Inside Health” (from 15 mins 9 secs). This work cements the Centre’s position in leading this emerging field as we seek to understand how sex chromosomes and sex hormones combine to influence the immune system. Read more about this work in UCL’s press release here. The full paper can be access here.
Junjie Peng awarded 'Best Oral PhD Student Presentation' at VA fellows meeting
At this year Versus Arthritis VA fellow meeting, Junjie Peng was invited to give a 7-min talk as a final year Versus Arthritis funded PhD student and was awarded the “Best Oral PhD Student Presentation” prize.
“In my presentation, I highlighted that young people with JSLE face significantly elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk from a very young age, and managing this risk remains extremely challenging due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease, as well as the current lack of personalised treatment strategies.
Our study used multi-omics data and advanced analytical methods to stratify JSLE patients into groups with distinct CVD risk profiles. We also identified biomarkers capable of predicting early atherosclerosis progression and responses to statin therapy, supporting the need for early identification and targeted prevention strategies for high-risk JSLE patients.”
REINVENT FOCiS Centre of Excellence
The vision of the FOCIS Centre of Excellence – University College London Centre for gender inclusive research inflammation immunity focused on childhood and adolescence (REINVENT) is to integrate and lead multi-disciplinary inclusive research from across our teams, working with paediatric adolescent and young adult individuals who have autoimmune / inflammatory conditions and age matched healthy gender-diverse individuals.
We aim to support background and gender-diverse research with relevance for advancement of knowledge related to sex/gender determinants of biologic functions and impact on health of a gender-diverse society, with focus on chronic inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic conditions that are characterised by sex bias:
- childhood lupus (cSLE)
- childhood Sjögren’s Disease (cSjD)
- juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)
- juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
For more information, please visit this website.
Dr Ania Radziszewska latest article on Nature Scientific Reports
We are delighted to share the release of our latest scientific publication authored by Dr Ania Radziszewska. Please find below the link to access the full paper.
“The immune system is composed of many different types of blood cells, including “killing” cells called natural killer (NK) cells. In response to an infection, these cells produce toxic molecules which can enter virally infected cells to destroy them. In this paper we found that patients with JSLE (juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus) had fewer NK cells, and fewer NK cells with toxic molecules. The reduction in NK cells was associated with increased disease activity (more symptoms and inflammation). We also looked at the genes expressed in NK cells and found that there was a higher presence of genes related to cell death in JSLE patients with active disease. This suggests that there may be fewer NK cells in JSLE because they are more susceptible to cell death than in healthy individuals.
By understanding exactly how NK cells are not working properly in patients with JSLE, scientists can create new and more specific treatments in the future and we believe our findings bring us one step closer to this goal.”
Access Full article below:
Dr Elizabeth Rosser awarded a 2024 Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine Research Prize
We’re delighted to announce that Dr Lizzy Rosser has been awarded the 2024 Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine Research Prize. This highly competitive award will support the work of Dr Lizzy Rosser and her research group as they investigate why children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis also develop uveitis (an inflammatory disorder of the eye). Congratulations Dr Rosser!
“Winning the Lister Prize will have a transformative impact on my new groups research portfolio. By supporting a whole new workstream in ocular immunology, we will be in a unique position to understand the ‘whole picture’ of JIA pathology – a devastating disease of childhood in which we are passionately pursuing new strategies to improve outcomes”
https://lister-institute.org.uk/welcome-2024-lister-prize-fellows/
Dr Meredyth Wilkinson awarded Versus Arthritis Career Development Fellowship
Congratulations to Dr Meredyth Wilkinson for being awarded a very prestigious five-year Career Development Fellowship from Versus Arthritis! Her previous work identified potential drugs including anti-oxidants to stop the inflammation in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). In her fellowship she will investigate whether the drugs they have identified can improve inflammation using a 3D-mini-muscle model from JDM patient muscle.
“I am extremely grateful to receive this prestigious fellowship giving me the fantastic opportunity to continue my research into understanding the causes of inflammation in juvenile dermatomyositis and identifying new treatments. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology for their support throughout my academic career at UCL, but especially to the Centre Director Professor Lucy Wedderburn who has given me unlimited help, time, encouragement and advice.”
Women in Science Day event at the UCL Division of Medicine
The 11th February 2024 marked the 9th International Day of Women and Girls in Science. A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.
To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Centre collaborator Associate Professor Lizzy Rosser, and colleagues in the Athena Swan self-assessment team organised a series of events, including hosting 8 female A-level students from Ashmole Academy in Southgate. Students got to spend an afternoon in the lab with Adolescent Centre scientists Dr Ania Radziszewska and Dr Hannah Peckham. The students got hands-on with gel electrophoresis and practiced their skills with a micropipette. In the late afternoon Professor Caroline Hill (Crick Institute) gave an inspirational keynote talk about her career.
The experience was very rewarding for the students and the feedback received was very positive.
“The opportunity to see and use the UCL equipment and labs was very motivating for me, it made the idea of going into research become less daunting as the experience truly gave me a window into a world I did not know much about. It was so exciting to get the chance to use the labs for practical work that we simply would not have the resources to carry out at school. In addition to this, It was incredibly empowering to learn the stories of women in research. It not only made the career prospect feel much more achievable but by hearing women talk about their journeys into research it allowed me to be able to possibly picture myself in the profession“.
By Zaynab A
Dr Coziana Ciurtin promotion to Full Professor at UCL
Congratulations to Dr Coziana Ciurtin on her promotion to Full Professor at UCL! Dr Ciurtin’s researches shed lights on how the immune system changes during puberty, and further identify the underlying mechanisms of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE).
Dr Elizabeth Rosser promotion to Associate Professor at UCL
Congratulations to Dr Elisabeth Rosser on her promotion to Associate Professor at UCL! Dr Rosser investigates how the gut-microbiota and dietary-derived metabolites impact B cell function in paediatric and adolescent rheumatic disease, especially Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).
“ I am absolutely delighted to be promoted to associate professor at UCL. This would not have been possible without support from the adolescent centre for my research and for also supporting my application for my senior research fellowship.
Thanks to the members of the centre and of course the patients who contribute and support our research. “
Adolescent and Young Adults Rheumatology Newsletter - September 2023 Edition
We have release the new edition of our Newsletter! (September 2023). The newsletter is created for young patients and parents . A big ‘Thank you’ to all who have contributed, and actively participated in the many events organized!
Click for Pdf version for printing
Dr George Robinson awarded BSI Early Career Excellence
Congratulations to Dr George Robinson for winning the BSI Early Career Excellence award for his work investigating the immunopathogenesis of juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
“I am over the moon with this prestigious inaugural award. Everything that the BSI has introduced me to over my early research career has been hugely important to both my confidence and ambition in my field of immunology research, making this award even more special.”
Full news at: https://www.immunology.org/membership/grants-prizes/awards/bsi-early-career-research-excellence-award
Young Scientist Day, 2nd March 2023
On Thursday 2nd March, 8 students from Woodbridge Sixth form in East London attended for the first Young Scientist Day of 2023! Pupils had the chance to meet members of our diverse multidisciplinary team for a careers workshop, before heading to the lab to try their hands at some practical lab skills. All 8 young people also donated blood for our research as healthy control heroes! Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, with accompanying teacher saying:
“Thank you to your team for the fantastic opportunity, we really appreciate everything you’ve done and our students were so very happy to have this experience”.
We look forward to following the journeys of these promising young future scientists and clinicians! 😊
Adolescent and Young Adults Rheumatology Newsletter - March 2023 Edition
We have release our third newsletter created for young patients and parents. We are really thrilled for the many events & initiatives happening. A big ‘Thank you’ to all who have contributed!
NIHR Advanced Clinical Academic Fellowship (ACAF) awarded to Dr Polly Livermore
Dr Polly Livermore, Centre Senior Affiliate who has been awarded a competitive and prestigious post-doctoral NIHR Advanced Clinical Academic Fellowship (ACAF). In her 3 year study, Polly will lead an experience-based study with children, young people and their parents to co-design and co-develop an Intelligent Virtual Assistant, to provide support for families who have a child or young person with a rheumatic diseases. Polly is the first ever nurse at GOSH to have received this prestigious award – many congratulations to Polly!
Polly said “I am delighted to be awarded a NIHR post-doctoral fellowship. This is the first award given to a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get this far, including all at the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, but especially the children, young people and their parents who helped develop the original research idea. I am really hoping this intervention can make a real difference to the lives of those affected by Rheumatic diseases of childhood”
Mitochondrial problems in immune cells in Juvenile Dermatomyositis
We are really excited to showcase Dr Meredyth Wilkinson latest publication. Please find below the link to access the full paper.
“In this paper, we have examined genes (the human code) and the pattern of expression of these genes in immune cells called monocytes from JDM patients. We discovered that genes that code for mitochondria (the ‘powerhouse’ energy producers of the cell) were less active in JDM patients (even those already on strong treatment compared to healthy children of the same age). We also found that markers of inflammation were more switched on in these same JDM patients. Looking at the mitochondria in more detail we discovered that the mitochondria were more varied in size and there was more release of mitochondrial DNA in JDM compared to controls. We showed that this mitochondrial DNA was oxidised and could switch on gene markers of inflammation. These genes could be switched off by blocking pathways that lead to inflammation and by using an anti-oxidant drug (already used in clinic) called N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
We believe that these discoveries now allow us to look for new and very specific drugs to improve the treatment of JDM.
George Robinson: How does your biological sex and your gender impact how your immune system works?
Dr George Robinson, Professor Liz Jury and Dr Coziana Ciurtin (and the team at the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis) look at this question in relation to the development of autoimmune conditions at the time of puberty, when according to a person’s sex chromosomes, hormones begin to influence their gender and internal biology. George and the Centre can see that these changes go right down to an individual’s immune cells, and whether they are primed to attack or defend. In particular, in a type of white blood cell called a Regulatory T cell (or Treg for short) that helps to stop the immune system after it has triggered an inflammatory response. Tregs can help to stop the desired immune response tipping over into autoimmunity (attacking itself/ healthy tissue). As well as from cis-gendered individuals, George and team have access to samples from transgender individuals who are taking sex-hormone treatments to affirm their (reassigned) gender, and therefore have been able to uniquely see how sex hormones impact the immune system and its component cells.
Oestrogen (and/or less testosterone) can mean fewer (or less effective) Treg cells – fewer gatekeepers, which could contribute to the risk of autoimmunity. Testosterone (and/or less oestradiol) can mean more (or more effective) Treg cells, which could contribute to a reduced risk of autoimmunity. These effects were also influenced by underlying sex chromosomes and were altered in an autoimmune disease setting of juvenile-lupus, supporting a sex specific role for Tregs in disease development and presentation.
we need to think about a person’s sex and gender (chromosomes and hormones) when considering how to treat/prevent autoimmune conditions, and how their immune system will react to different challenges. You can find the open access paper in The Lancet Rheumatology journal here.
Dr Lizzy Rosser awarded Senior Research Fellowships
Congratulations to Dr Lizzy Rosser who has been successful in securing a 5-year Senior Research Fellowship from the Kennedy Trust. Lizzy has previously received two other fellowships, which are awarded to support promising researchers, completing a Versus Arthritis Foundation Fellowship at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health and another from the Medical Research Foundation at UCL’s Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology. Her project “Gut-derived metabolites and modulation of pathogenic B-cells in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis” will focus on understanding how molecules, called ‘metabolites’, can affect the function of a population of white blood cells known as B cells in childhood arthritis.
“I am delighted to be awarded a Senior Fellowship from the Kennedy Trust investigating novel pathogenic mechanisms in JIA, especially in an area of research we know is important to our patient populations – understanding if there is an interaction between the diet, gut-microbiota and the development of inflammatory immune responses. I would especially like to thank Centre Director Professor Wedderburn for her support while I have established my group in the paediatric and adolescent research space and in particular for her mentorship during the grant writing process.”
Young Scientist Day, 7th July 2022
We are happy to announce that on Thursday 7th of July we hosted our second ‘Young Scientist Day’ of 2022! A group of 8 students from Longsands Academy (St. Neots in Cambridgeshire) came to the Rayne building to know more about our Centre and have a lab work experience. Some of our post- docs shared their experience studying Medicine/Sciences, their career path and the students had the opportunity to ask questions and know more about what it means to be a Researcher! All students kindly agreed to donate small blood samples for the centre’s work and became ‘Research Heroes’! These samples will act as vital age-matched ‘healthy control’ samples, for centre scientists to use alongside samples from adolescent patients with rheumatic diseases.
Everybody had a great time, and we received a heart-warming feedback from the teacher:
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your colleagues for today (as well as Sam for organising it so seamlessly from our end). Our students absolutely loved listening to Coziana explain a little about her work as a doctor and research in Rheumatology, they all commented about how passionately she spoke, and I know it inspired and enthused them. In addition, they also hugely appreciated being able to chat to you and the other Post Doc students in the Q&A session and then more informally throughout the day. Finally, they really enjoyed the practical session using new equipment and being able to work so closely with you, Hannah and Ania in the lab.”
Photo © Dauda Bappa, a big Thank You!
Young Scientist Day, 24th June 2022
On Friday 24th June, the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology team hosted the first ‘Young Scientist Day’ of 2022! 8 sixth form students from Woodbridge high school in Redbridge (East London), currently studying science or health subjects were invited into the Rayne building for a day of lab work experience and career talks with our team. After an introduction to the world of research, and interactive discussions with some of our scientists and clinical fellows, the students donned their lab coats to get to grips with learning to pipette and running a PCR gel. A great time was had by everyone, and all students also kindly acted as ‘Research Heroes’, by donating small blood samples for the centre’s work- some even overcoming needle phobias to do so! These samples will act as vital age-matched ‘healthy control’ samples, for centre scientists to use alongside samples from adolescent patients with rheumatic diseases. The team had a fantastic time hosting such mature and enthusiastic young people, and likewise received some lovely feedback from their teacher –
“Thank you to you and all your colleagues for giving up their time and sharing their knowledge with our students. You were all so friendly and approachable which makes all the difference when working with students. The students pretty much raved about how much they enjoyed speaking to you all as well as the lab work. It really seemed to hammer home to them that there were many routes available to them and that they didn’t have to decide right now what their career paths would be. For me, I loved how you were all pitching your information at the right level for these students, very open and yet so respectful of our students, their backgrounds etc. It was quite honestly, a joy to see other passionate professionals be interested in students.”
Photos © Dauda Bappa, a big Thank You!
Adolescent and Young Adult Rheumatology Newsletter - June 2022 Edition
We have release our second newsletter created for young patients and parents. A big ‘Thank you’ to all who have contributed!
COVID-19 vaccination study opens at GOSH
For the first time, patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Southampton Children’s Hospital who are aged 12-17 years and immunocompromised are taking part in research to work out how they respond to COVID-19 vaccination.
“We are so excited to see this study open for the over 12s. Young people are often missed out as part of the research process, as they are deemed ‘too old’ for childhood research but ‘too young’ for adult research. This is a huge step forward to meet that area of unmet research need”. Professor Lucy Wedderburn. Director, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology at UCL, UCLH and GOSH
Congratulations to Dr. Meredyth Wilkinson and Dr Elizabeth Rosser who recently held a session at Nonsuch High School for girls as part of their careers day event
Congratulations to Dr. Meredyth Wilkinson and Dr Elizabeth Rosser who recently held a session at Nonsuch High School for girls as part of their careers day event which took place on Thursday 10th February 2022. Dr Meredyth Wilkinson spoke about STEM (Science), with her talk titled: So you want to be a scientist? Do you need mitochondria to be a scientist? Dr Elizabeth Rosser gave a talk on: Life as a research scientist; asking the right question. In total 74 students signed up and asked a lot of interesting questions which was a rewarding experience for both our speakers and students!
We hope to take part in more activities with schools in the future.
Congratulations to Dr George Robinson, Postdoctoral research fellow for receiving his Arthritis Career Development Fellowship
Congratulations to Dr George Robinson, Postdoctoral research fellow in the department of Inflammation in the Division of Medicine.
Following his extremely successful PhD and postdoctoral studies within the Centre for Rheumatology at UCL, George has been awarded a 5-year Versus Arthritis Career Development
Fellowship for his project ‘The role of CD8+ T-cells and type-I IFN in juvenile-SLE and accelerated atherosclerosis’.
This multidisciplinary project will span across the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis and the Centre for Cardiometabolic and Vascular Science at UCL, with international collaborations with leading Rheumatology and Cardiovascular disease researchers. Through this project, George aims to improve long term cardiovascular disease outcomes for young patients with juvenile-SLE.
“I am over the moon, and would like to say a huge thank you to my current supervisor Professor Liz Jury, my fellowship sponsors Dr Coziana Ciurtin and Professor Ines Pineda Torra, and also to Professor Derek Gilroy, Professor David Abraham, Professor Lucy Wedderburn, and to all other members of the division that helped me to prepare. The support has been fantastic, and I am really looking forward to starting this new project!”
Congratulations to Dr George Robinson, Postdoctoral research fellow who has been awarded the extremely prestigious British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) Garrod Award.
Congratulations to Dr George Robinson, Postdoctoral research fellow in the department of Inflammation in the Division of Medicine at UCL, who has been awarded the extremely prestigious British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) Garrod Award.
This award is presented to a scientist from a non-clinical background who demonstrates distinguished contribution to the field of rheumatology. George will receive his award formally and present his work at the 2022 BSR congress.
Within the Centre for Rheumatology and Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis at UCL, George’s multidisciplinary research investigates immune mechanisms of adolescent rheumatological disease development, as well as risk factors of cardiovascular disease in patients.
Through this work, George aims to understand of how autoimmunity develops in young patients and to improve long term cardiovascular disease outcomes for young patients with juvenile-lupus.
“Thank you to the BSR committee, I am over the moon with this award! I would like to say a huge thank you to Professor Liz Jury, Dr Coziana Ciurtin and Professor Ines Pineda Torra, who have supported me throughout this work and given me a platform to develop my career in adolescent rheumatology and cardiovascular disease research. I am really looking forward to presenting at the Annual BSR Conference this year!”
New paper published!
Biomarker to identify adolescent lupus patients at increased cardiovascular risk
Dr George Robinson has recently published some work looking at a new
Biomarker to identify adolescent lupus patients at increased cardiovascular risk
Adolescent and Young Adults Rheumatology Newsletter - December 2021 Edition
Please take a look at our first newsletter created for young patients and parents.
56 years, 8 months ago