As part of International Clinical Trials Day, we would like to say a huge thank you to all participants who have taken part in clinical trials and research studies in the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research (WCMR) within the NHS Newcastle Hospitals Trust and Newcastle University. This involvement is crucial to help us transform the lives of those affected by mitochondrial disease and dysfunction by finding new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and cure mito.
Within the WCMR, we strive to involve our patients and their families at every stage of the clinical trials pathway, from the initial design of a trial right through to the dissemination of trial findings at the end of a study. This requires a multidisciplinary clinical trials team all dedicated to improving the lives of those with mitochondrial disease and dysfunction. Here, we share the many roles of our team that are needed to ensure we perform our clinical research to the highest possible standard:
Chief Investigators: Are the lead researcher for a research project or clinical trial. They are responsible for the overall conduct of a clinical trial at all sites in the UK.
Principal Investigators: Are responsible for the conduct of each clinical trial at our research site (Newcastle Hospitals). They are usually a consultant or doctor with expertise in mitochondrial disease and clinical research.
Clinical Trials Managers and Project Assistants: Help design and set-up our clinical trials. They also help manage all the paperwork associated with running a clinical trial.
Doctors: Are experts in mitochondrial disease working within the NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders in Newcastle. They lead the design and delivery of our clinical trials and often take on the role or Chief or Principal Investigator.
Nurses: Are usually the first, and main, point of contact with our clinical trial participants. They are with participants at each trial visit and perform many of the assessments. Our nurses also help design our clinical trials to make sure they work for patients and their families.
Allied Healthcare Professionals: Many of our clinical trials involve assessments of clinical features, such as walking, movement, exercise, and swallowing. A team of healthcare professionals (physiotherapists, exercise specialists and speech and language therapists) are involved in designing of our clinical trials and performing trial assessments.
Lab Managers: Often clinical trials involve taking blood or muscle samples which we analyse in our lab. Our Lab Managers oversee this process and ensure the lab runs smoothly.
Lab Analysts: Are scientists who help design the lab aspects of our clinical trials. They also analyse the samples that are taken as part of the clinical trial.
Data Managers: Are responsible for collecting together all the data that is generated as part of a clinical trial. This includes collecting data from the medical records of participants and ensuring it is ready for analysis.
Quality Assurance Managers: Ensure that our clinical trials are conducted to the highest standards and in line with all relevant regulations.
Engagement/Communication Managers: Ensure that we work with patients and the public to design clinical trials that are relevant and accessible. They also ensure that we effectively communicate the results from our clinical trials with participants and the wider public.
We have a number of clinical trials and research studies currently taking place within the Wellome Centre for Mitochondrial Research. If you are interested in finding out more or taking part, please speak with your care team.
Without mitochondrial research there will never be hope for a cure. Let’s find one together.