Progress through partnership: Inside the new Northern Ireland MS Research Hub

Could you tell us why you’ve set up the Hub?

Northern Ireland has a strong history in MS research. But when I joined Queen’s in 2009 there was relatively little MS research activity.

In 2015, myself and Dr Gavin McDonnell, a consultant neurologist in the Belfast Trust, set up the Northern Ireland MS Research Network. Our aim was to bring clinicians and scientists together for collaborative research, public engagement, and interaction with funders and other stakeholders. That network has gone from strength to strength and has been a wonderful experience of collaboration across disciplines.

It was never funded, so we were always trying to do a lot with very little, but we built up the momentum we needed to take our research to the next level. Our long-term vision is to become a global centre of excellence for MS research.

The Hub will be a crucial step towards this goal. It allows us to pull research themes together, develop future researchers, and strengthen partnerships between clinicians and scientists.

Retinal imaging is a key focus of the Hub. How has that come about?

At Queen’s we have a team of world-class specialists. They have access to cutting-edge tools that can image the retina (the back of the eye) in great detail.

We started to have discussions about whether some of the changes that happen in MS might be detectable in the eye. And a pilot study showed some subtle but interesting changes in cells at the back of the eye.

How might it change how we monitor and treat MS?

This approach could one day replace, or at least complement, more demanding tests like MRI.

Now we need to explore the full potential of retinal imaging to understand MS. We’re also studying blood, saliva and tear samples to look for biomarkers of progression.

We’re doing this as part of the Octopus clinical trial, so lots of other data will be collected too. We hope that we’ll be able to connect what we see in the eye to other changes happening in MS.

How have people with MS shaped your research— and how will they continue to do so?

The voices of people with MS have been central from the start. Their willingness to take part in our pilot study made everything else possible.

People with MS have been involved in prioritising research questions, study design and understanding what is reasonable to ask of participants. And participating in the research itself, and sharing their experiences of being involved in research with others.

We’re really excited as we now have people with MS becoming assistant supervisors to train our next generation of MS researchers. This is a true partnership across all stages.

How is the hub supporting researchers interested in building their career in MS research?

We’re really excited about this aspect of the hub: helping people map out their careers in MS research.

Queen’s has funded two PhD students starting in our Hub this October. We’re also supporting medical doctors in the earlier stages of their training. This summer, we’ll host student projects, including students from the US.

We’re designing a programme that gives them exposure to both the lab and the clinic. So that clinicians and scientists are learning side by side right from the start.

What do you hope to achieve in the next five years?

We want to continue to work in a collaborative way, with expertise from different disciplines coming together. And true partnership with people with MS.

The questions we’re trying to answer will change over time. Our focus over the next five years will be how much information we can garner about MS from the retina. And identifying other potential biomarkers of progression.

What would you say to people whose donations have helped support the hub?

Firstly, thank you. We have a lot of committed researchers who work extremely hard, but we can't do that without funding.

Many of our team are supported by MS Society funds. And that’s because people have taken the time to raise money and donate to research. It's transformative for us. That's not an overstatement. It’s a partnership in my mind.

Finally, what are you most excited for as the hub launches?

I'm probably most excited about seeing the discoveries that our new early career researchers will make. I get very inspired by their dedication. And the partnership of people living with MS who so generously give their time and expertise. It’s really motivating.

Ultimately, I’m excited to hopefully see the real-world impact – through new knowledge or changing practice to improve how we monitor and treat MS and hopefully improve the lives of people affected by MS.