Wind, wind and more wind

Last week in Oxford, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust brought together gastrointestinal (GI) health experts from across Europe to look at the digestive complications that many people experience with cystic fibrosis. Along with the scientists and clinical staff, people with CF and their carers were represented. Below one of those parents, David Turner QC, gives us and insight on the research 'sandpit'.

Storm Imogen was doing its best to bend trees double as 35 scientists and clinicians gathered in Oxfordshire for a research “sandpit” devoted to the problems which cystic fibrosis causes for the digestive tract. An introduction from Dr Jon King (a Senior House Officer at St Mary’s, Paddington, who also has cystic fibrosis) outlined just how debilitating – and embarrassing – these complications can be. For many, digestive complications are amongst the most significant effects of cystic fibrosis.

The sandpit was the brainchild of Dr Janet Allen, the Trust’s Director of Strategic Innovation. 

Her idea was brilliantly simple:

•     Mix together cystic fibrosis clinicians, gastro-intestinal clinicians, scientists specialising in CFTR defects and leading lights in (non-CF) gastro-intestinal research.
•     Add a dash of inspiration.
•     Simmer under significant time pressure.
•     Remove collective ideas for research priorities and season under the bright light of instant peer review.

The assembled company involved experts from all parts of the UK, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. Discussions were free-rolling, leaping between subjects such as gut microbiota, DIOS, the impact of antibiotics, prebiotics and probiotics, gut acidity, gut motility, bicarbonate channels, chloride channels and methane testing.

The discussion was superbly marshalled and directed by facilitators from Know Innovation. By mid-morning of the second day the attendees were working together in small multi-disciplinary teams to define a novel research question and to justify the question’s relevance by explaining how it would make a real difference to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis. Proposals for further refinement and, potentially, applications for future research funding, included improving gastrointestinal health by manipulating microbiota, identifying biomarkers that could help develop personalised dietary plans, and designing a new supplement to improve fat absorption.

The aim of the sandpit was to stimulate discussion and to provide the foundations for future, multi-disciplinary research collaborations which might ultimately transform the lives of many. Not only was that aim achieved, but a buzz was created which was palpable as everyone left to confront the tail end of Imogen’s winds. All in all, this had been a tremendously exciting and uplifting event!