As per the thread title, this thread will be a compilation of currently active research funded by UK sources. Previous threads: What ME/CFS research, funded by UK sources, is currently in process (as of end June 2019)? What ME/CFS research, funded by UK sources, is currently in process (as of end Jan 2022)?
Action for ME Source - https://www.actionforme.org.uk/research-and-campaigns/our-research-work/our-projects-and-phds/ The first Clare Francis Research fellowship was awarded to Audrey Ryback. Audrey will be affiliated to the Genetics Centre of Excellence at the University of Edinburgh, with Professor Chris Ponting supervising the 2-year fellowship. Addressing research priorities 3 (accurate and reliable diagnostic test) and 10 (understanding the impact of ME/CFS on mitochondria) as identified by The ME/CFS Priority Setting Partnership, Audrey’s research aims to identify serum factors possibly causing changes to mitochondria in those with ME/CFS which could, in turn, be developed into a diagnostic test. PhD-level research, jointly with King’s College London, funded jointly by Action for M.E. and ME Research UK looking at Retrotransposon Insertion Polymorphism, a type of genetic variation (from June 2022) PhD-level research jointly with the University of Oxford, looking at the role for the microbiome and leaky gut as a symptom of M.E./CFS and other conditions associated with chronic disease (from June 2022) A University of Edinburgh PhD Studentship comparing immune cells (T cells) from people with M.E. with those from controls (from June 2018) A brain inflammation PhD Studentship supervised by Prof Neil Harrison, now based at Cardiff University (from June 2018).
Invest in ME Source - http://www.investinme.org/ce-projoverview.shtml A role for a leaky gut and the intestinal microbiota in the pathophysiology in ME, Simon Carding et al, Quadram Institute “This project will determine if alterations in intestinal barrier function and/or microbiota exist in ME patients, and whether microbe-driven inflammatory responses can provide an explanation for the pathophysiology of ME.” http://www.investinme.org/ce-gm-foundation.shtml Defining autoimmune aspects of ME/CFS, Simon Carding et al, Quadram Institute “The aim of this PhD project is to test the hypothesis that ME is an autoimmune disorder originating in the gut as a consequence of altered intestinal permeability (leaky gut) leading to exposure of the immune system to commensal gut microbes and their products and the generation of pathogenic (auto) antibodies cross-reactive with antigens expressed in the central nervous system (CNS).” http://www.investinme.org/ce-gm-phd2.shtml Gut viruses and ME/CFS, University of East Anglia “This PhD project will investigate whether the underlying causes of ME are related to the presence of specific virus populations within the gut virobiota. Using high throughput DNA/RNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools we will determine if and how both resident gut bacteria and virus populations changes with disease progression and if a distinct virobiota signature can be identified in ME patients.” http://www.investinme.org/ce-gm-phd3.shtml RESTORE-ME - Clinical Trial of FMT To determine the efficacy and safety of faecal microbiome transplantation as for ME/CFS: RESTORE-ME. http://www.investinme.org/ce-proj3.shtml The intestinal virome and viral immune responses in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients after faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) This PhD project will investigate whether bacteriotherapy and manipulation of the gut microbiome can provide a possible treatment for ME. http://www.investinme.org/ce-proj4.shtml Medical Students in ME Research Our objective is to sponsor at least two medical students per year. The students will be attached to one of the projects being funded by the charity. They will be supervised by professors involved in the research and learn about the disease as well as performing vital roles in the research itself. This may also involve seeing patients. By intercalating in their fourth year they gain valuable insights into the disease as well as returning to their studies with more confidence and ability to educate other students about ME. https://www.investinme.org/ce-ms-studs.shtml
ME Association Source - https://meassociation.org.uk/research/research-projects/ - [I'm not sure how up to date this list is, but it seems to be all that is available] 1. Dr Nicola Clague-Baker, University of Leicester The ME Association is excited to announce a new research study that will examine the feasibility of measuring various physiological data during daily activity in people with M.E. at home. The study is titled: “Feasibility of investigating oxygen consumption (VO2), Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, lactic acid levels and activity levels of people with ME during normal daily activities.” The research will be led by Dr Nicola Clague-Baker, an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy and lecturer at the University of Leicester. Recruitment has been delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but is expected to begin by the end of this year or early in 2021. Participants will be recruited online once ethical approval has been granted. Dr Clague-Baker will carry out this feasibility study alongside colleagues from Physios 4 ME and with help from Dr Betsy Keller from Ithica College in New York. RRF Investment = £30,000 Read more… 2. Dr Karl Morten et al., Universities of Oxford and Newcastle Scientists from the Universities of Oxford and Newcastle are spending 12 months analysing nearly 300 blood samples from the UK ME/CFS Biobank to look for small molecular clues known as metabolites. These are left behind after chemical reactions have taken place at a cellular level. It is hoped that this research will identify patterns of metabolites that could help to form either a diagnostic test for ME/CFS or help to sub-group people that come under the ME/CFS umbrella… RRF investment = £100,000 Read more… 3. Dr Luis Nacul et al., LSHTM ME Biobank team and University College London This research study will further examine both immune system dysfunction in ME/CFS and defects in the way that energy is being produced at a cellular level… It will investigate how abnormalities in this part of the immune system are linked with evidence that is now emerging of a disturbance in the way that energy is being produced at a cellular level in ME/CFS… It will draw on the expertise not only of the CureME clinical research team but also of other experts in immunology at the LSHTM. This research will also involve a small pilot collaboration with Dr Christopher Armstrong’s research team in Australia – who are looking at metabolic (chemical) changes in the blood that occur during energy production… RRF investment = c.£50,000 Read more…
ME Research UK Source - https://www.meresearch.org.uk/research/current-projects/ Current projects Dr Doug Barrett, The impact of ME/CFS on visual sensory processing and selective attention (PhD) Prof. Jo Nijs, Links between mitochondrial function and the autonomic nervous system in ME/CFS (PhD) Dr Zack Shan, Using MRI to assess brain neuroinflammation and the lymphatic system in ME/CFS Prof. Simon Carding, Do gut viruses have a role in the development of ME/CFS? Dr Eliana Lacerda & Prof. Geraldine Cambridge, Exploring patterns of antibodies in moderate and severe ME/CFS Prof. Janet Taylor, Investigating spinal nerve cell function and the serotonin system in ME/CFS Dr Bo Bertilson, Searching for ME/CFS biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid Dr Amy Proal, Identifying viruses in tissue and nerve samples from ME/CFS patients Dr Sarah Annesley & Tina Katsaros, Cause-effect relationships in the mitochondrial energy inefficiency in ME/CFS (PhD) Dr Alfredo Iacoangeli & Luke Marney, Identification of new classes of genetic susceptibility to ME (PhD) Prof. Chris Ponting & Gemma Samms, Experimental investigation of genetic risk factors for ME/CFS revealed by the DecodeME project (PhD) Dr Bhupesh Prusty, Infectious triggers and mitochondrial dysfunction in ME/CFS Dr Sarah Annesley, Cell-type specificity, molecular scope and epigenetic basis for mitochondrial and cellular dysfunction in ME/CFS Mr James Allison, ELUCIDATE: Exploring pain and autonomic dysfunction in ME/CFS and temporomandibular disorders Dr Leighton Barnden, Investigating brain-stem dysfunction in ME/CFS using 7-Tesla MRI Prof. Elisa Oltra, The effect of activated HERVs and the associated immune response in severe ME/CFS Prof. Jarred Younger, Tracking peripheral immune cell infiltration of the brain in ME
Public Funding Via https://gtr.ukri.org/ DecodeME https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MC_PC_20005 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/decodeme-uk-me-cfs-dna-study-underway.15604/#post-268677 Back to Normal: A study of recovery narratives https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2722148 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/funde...udy-of-recovery-narratives-studentship.36714/ Multi-stakeholder activity management for children with Chronic Fatigue https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2452326 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/phd-p...hildren-with-chronic-fatigue-2020-2024.24334/ A Mixed Method Exploration of the Association between Autism and Central Sensitivity Syndromes https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2104238 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/stude...-sensitivity-syndromes-sarah-grant-kcl.10121/ Glucocorticoid dynamics in health and disease https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR/R010919/1 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/trial...disease-lightman-university-of-bristol.10120/ Structure-based drug design against a biosecurity pathogen BB/M009122/1 (Q-fever, mentions CFS) https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2579050 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/phd-p...curity-pathogen-bb-m009122-1-2021-2025.24336/ A mixed-methods investigation of the role of illness perceptions in endometriosis (mentions CFS but is not the subject) https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2434262 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/phd-p...perceptions-in-endometriosis-2020-2023.24337/ Role of pharmacological activity of autoantibodies in ME/CFS https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR/Y003667/1 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/funde...antibodies-in-me-cfs-dmitry-veprintsev.36716/ NIHR Source - https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/ Measuring Health in Children with CFS/ME: Refinement, application and evaluation of new PROM (PEACH) in routine practice. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR200509 https://www.s4me.info/threads/in-pr...each-in-routine-practice-crawley-et-al.20930/ ME / CFS: An evidence map of research studies and how these address key themes in the JLA PSP research priorities https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR159926 Forum thread - https://www.s4me.info/threads/funde...mes-in-the-jla-psp-research-priorities.36717/
There's the pilot study in Sheffield: Investigating the presence of Micro Clots and other blood factors in people with ME/CFS, Dr Caroline Dalton Forum link: https://www.s4me.info/threads/inves...-with-me-cfs-sheffield-caroline-dalton.36250/
Do we know who is funding the main part of the study? I can see that from the patient participation information sheet that part of it, that involves Audrey Ryback, is funded by AfME.
Patient-Led research $4.8M https://patientresearchcovid19.com/...rds-for-long-covid-and-associated-conditions/ 7. Understanding the relationship between fibrin amyloid microclots and Long COVID – Dr. Caroline Dalton, Dr. Andrew Higham, Prof. Doug Kell, Prof. Resia Pretorius, Prof. David Price – Consortium of UK and South African universities This project will develop a microclot test for Long COVID and associated conditions, including ME/CFS, and assess its ability as a diagnostic test, using multiple techniques. The team will also analyze microclot burden in patients over time, looking at the impact of infection and vaccination on microclot levels, and microclot dynamics over time. There is an Edinburgh link with Chris Ponting advising due to additional part of the project looking at components in the blood.
With the help of someone and a bit of investigation, it certainly looks like the MEA doesn't offer a current list of their funded research on their website. They announce news of funding awards in the News section of their website, such as The ME Association and ME Research UK announce funding for a study that aims to create a diagnostic test for ME/CFS, which we discuss here, but I'm afraid I'm not going to work my way through an entire years output in order to find out what they awarded to whom.
