Digital image analysis to improve the diagnosis of coeliac disease

Coeliac (celiac) disease affects at least 1% of the UK population and is caused by an immune response to gluten, a protein found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. It is associated with a broad spectrum of effects, with the worst symptoms including severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fatigue. Current tests for coeliac disease are relatively insensitive. In view of these difficulties, our research project is developing robust digital image analysis for the duodenal biopsy material used in diagnostic tests.
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About our coeliac disease project

In order to develop a computer algorithm that can analyse duodenal biopsies to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of coeliac disease, we have collected 250 duodenal biopsies showing definite coeliac disease, 200 duodenal biopsies showing no features to suggest coeliac disease and 50 biopsies with equivocal features. Other detailed laboratory and clinical data are available for each biopsy in this cohort, helping to confirm the diagnosis. For the biopsies with equivocal features, such additional data are particularly helpful in indicating the likely diagnosis. We are collaborating with Dr Carola Schönlieb’s research group, the Cambridge Image Analysis Group, the Centre for Mathematical Sciences and with Dr Pietro Lio in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University.

How you can help

We wish to offer 10 week summer projects to up to two Cambridge University mathematics or medical students, who have completed two or three years of undergraduate studies. Both the summer projects will be based in Cambridge and will be jointly supervised by members of the Soilleux and Schönlieb research groups.

To support these students, we need to provide them with a stipend of £250 per week for up to 10 weeks. You can contribute to supporting our students undertaking this very important research and development work by making a gift now. £2,500 will pay for one student's bursary, but every gift counts as we seek to raise £5,000 in total.

How you can help

Make a gift online using the link below or for further information about supporting the programme, please contact:

Associate Director, Biological Sciences

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