Scouse Nous
Reproduced from Issue 105 of Arthritis Today
The skeleton of the new clinical sciences building at the University
Hospital, Aintree, where the Rheumatology Research Group will be based
from February 2000Football, the Beatles, Brookside; and rheumatology? Sound unlikely, yet Liverpool is a growing centre for arthritis research; with around £1m from arc in its researchers' coffers. And, much like the fortunes of Everton FC, the only way is up…
Liverpool is famous for lots of things; as yet, its rheumatology research isn't one of them.
However, things are looking up, and there is a very real chance that the planned expansion of research into arthritis could see the city start to challenge other rival centres such as Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle in the future.
It's not as if rheumatology research has never existed in Liverpool. Scientists have worked on topics related to arthritis – some with arc support – but their work was conducted without the opportunity for focus and interaction that can be provided by an academic, clinical perspective.
But the appointment of Dr Rob Moots as a clinical senior lecturer in rheumatology nearly two years ago signalled the university's commitment to formally develop academic rheumatology in Liverpool.
And Dr Moots, who arrived in the North West via Boston and Birmingham, has duly provided the catalyst to develop and focus rheumatology-related research activities in the region.
The uniting of the city's two big teaching hospitals, the University Hospital, Aintree, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital with the basic science faculties of the university, has resulted in the formation of the Rheumatology Research Group. The RRG involves both scientists in the faculties of medicine and veterinary medicine (more of that later), the School of Biological Sciences, and clinicians with an interest in rheumatological disease.
Dr Stuart Carter, Dr Rob Moots, Dr Steve Christmas and Dr Steve Edwards.
It's still early days, but all those involved are genuinely excited about the possibilities of improved research as a result of closer co-ordination. In a nutshell, laboratory methods are now being developed to investigate clinical problems, and new clinical input is being provided to established scientific projects.
"There is brilliant scope here to build Liverpool up into a prime research centre, it's a big chance for the city," says Dr Moots, who is something of a human whirlwind; flitting between all the different departments around the city, whipping up enthusiasm, talking up closer links and collaborations. This has only been possible because of the great commitment provided by the University Hospital Aintree and the University of Liverpool to develop academic rheumatology.
One of the most interesting collaborations is with the school of veterinary science, with scientists taking a lead from the research work carried out on animal arthritis. OA occurs naturally in both dogs and horses, while dogs also get rheumatoid arthritis; there are obvious advantages in medics and vets pooling their joint knowledge.
Vital to the development of the work of the RRG is the financial support of arc. As well as Dr Moots's grant, Dr Gallagher and Dr John Carron in the school of human anatomy and cell biology and Dr Steve Edwards in biological sciences with Dr Roger Bucknall at the Royal Liverpool are working on arc-sponsored projects. And Dr Wayne Bowler was recently awarded a prestigious five-year arc Post Doctoral Fellowship. The long-term aim is to attract more long-term core funding such as a programme or an ICAC grant, but, first things first.
"This group would not exist without arc," explained Jim Gallagher. "Only myself and a part-time technician are funded by the university. All the rest of us are funded by outside sources and arc is the most significant funder of our research, either through project grants or fellowships.
"Although there used to be consultant rheumatologists around who were helpful and sent us the odd sample, in a university of this size there was always a big gap. Rob's appointment gives us a focus, and brings all the work together. You tend to collaborate better with people you get on with, and we have all gelled very well."
The RRG researchers are also keen to get involved with local arc fundraising, speaking at events and generally making themselves available. "People who give locally like to think that local people are benefiting from what they do," said Steve Edwards. "So it's important that the work we do does filter down to improved care for arthritis patients in the Merseyside region."
The clinical base of the RRG is at University Hospital, Aintree, and the Royal Liverpool; both provide a full in and outpatient services, with specialist rheumatology nurse clinics. Youngsters with arthritis are seen at Alder Hey, one of the biggest paediatric hospitals in the country.
Dr Moots has set up a number of research clinics at University Hospital, Aintree, looking at scleroderma, vasculitis, systemic amyloidodosis, and pregnancy and fertility in autoimmune rheumatological diseases, where both clinical and laboratory science projects are developing.
At the same time as the emergence of rheumatology research comes the timely major new clinical science building being constructed at University Hospital, Aintree, home base for a clinical trials unit, and clinical physiology and molecular biology labs for the RRG.
There are other ongoing projects which are too numerous to mention; if good intentions count for anything then rheumatology in Liverpool should be at least in the top half of the premier league before too long.
