Blood disorders and cancer

This research area focuses on blood disorders, which include conditions affecting blood cells and blood clotting. These range from problems with blood cell numbers (such as anaemia or low white blood cells), to bleeding or clotting disorders, and blood cancers. We use large health research resources (including UK Biobank, Our Future Health and the National Genomics Research Library) to better understand why these conditions develop.

Our aims

  1. Understand how genetic differences influence blood health and disease
  2. Explore why some people with mild blood abnormalities go on to develop more serious conditions, including certain types of blood cancer 
  3. Investigate how genetic factors interact with lifestyle or environmental factors
  4. Improve methods for identifying people who may be at higher risk of blood disorders, including clotting and bleeding complications which arise in different types of cancer

 

Understanding blood health and disease using large genetic studies

Modern health research increasingly uses large studies that collect information from many thousands – sometimes millions – of volunteers. These studies bring together different types of information, including health records, questionnaires about lifestyle and health, medical test results, and genetic information from DNA.

By analysing patterns across very large groups of people, researchers can begin to understand why some people develop certain diseases while others remain healthy. For example, researchers can explore how our genes interact with environmental factors and whether genetic information can help identify people who may be at higher risk of certain conditions. Studying large and diverse populations also helps ensure that research findings apply to people from many different backgrounds. This type of research can ultimately help improve healthcare by identifying new causes of disease, finding opportunities for earlier diagnosis, and supporting the development of more personalised approaches to prevention and treatment.

Ultimately, we hope this research will help improve early detection, prevention, and treatment of different blood disorders, and support the development of more personalised approaches to healthcare.