ENDIA’s Scientific Themes

All scientific investigations within the Study will be managed within seven key themes:

1. Coeliac Disease

This theme is lead by Prof Jason Tye-Din, and coordinated by Coeliac Specialist Nurse, Lee Henneken.

2. Lifestyle, Epidemiology, Growth, Experiences, Nutrition & Development (LEGEND) 

Dr Rebecca Thomson leads this theme. This covers a wide range of topics including nutrition, biomarkers of diet and lifestyle, growth, supplements and medications, health events, exocrine pancreas function, psychosocial measures, and participant experiences.

3. Microbiome

Prof Len Harrison heads up this theme. Studies in this theme include prokaryotes and fungi, the structural and functional genomes including microbial products (e.g., metabolites and proteins) in stool and mucosa, and bacterial serology.

4. Genetics, Epigenetics and Immune Regulation (GEIR) 

This theme is lead by Prof Simon Barry. It encompasses all projects utilising PBMC: Gene expression studies, micro-RNA, GRS.

5. Metabolism Theme

Dr Megan Penno is responsible for coordinating this theme which covers human metabolites, lipids, proteins, glycans, fatty acids, etc.

6. Virology and Infectious Agents (VIA)

VIA is led by Dr Ki Wook Kim supported by Professors Maria Craig and Bill Rawlinson. This theme is concerned with viruses from all body sites, viral serology, infectious health events, and COVID.

7. Toxicology Theme

Dr Aveni Haynes established this theme with the aim to study environmental exposures such as plastics, metals, toxins, and other pollutants.

Theme updates are conducted on a rotational basis at monthly ENDIA Steering Committee meetings.