Cutting edge precision medicine approach to improve outcome in autoimmune muscle disorders (myositis)

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Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are autoimmune diseases with inflammation of skeletal muscle (myositis). The lungs, heart and skin may also be involved, and cancer risk is increased in some patients, leading to increased mortality. Myositis is difficult to diagnose, classify and treat; many patients are permanently disabled due to irreversible muscle damage. Better knowledge of disease pathogenesis is vital to stratify patients to improve disease management and enable earlier and more targeted treatment. The overall aim is to improve survival from the disease.In this PhD project, your research will improve understanding of disease mechanisms and pathogenesis of different subtypes of myositis to improve outcome and disease classification. You will use complementary molecular, clinical, genetic and serology approaches to achieve the aims of the project. You will use the following techniques: 1) measure interferon gene signature using RT-qPCR and correlate with disease severity and disease activity; 2) generate autoantibody data using e.g. ELISA; 3) investigate sex chromosome abnormalities using genetic approaches; 4) investigate whether liquid biopsy can be used to detect circulating tumour DNA in patients with cancer-associated-myositis, and in those at risk for cancer development. This can be used as a non-invasive biomarker for earlier detection of malignancy development.We expect your research to improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and mechanisms and our ability to stratify patients with myositis. The findings will improve the evidence-base for precision and stratified medicine, leading to more focussed disease management and treatment.You will join our active and vibrant Manchester Myositis Research group, part of the wider UK Myositis Network and our successful international myositis collaborations. There will be opportunities to attend and present results at national and international meetings and conferences, and public and patient engagement events.