My  research programme included candidate gene association and genome wide association studies in juvenile arthritis, especially focusing on systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Disease associated genetic variants have been further investigated to see if the variation alters function of the gene/ expression of the gene in question. We  performed gene expression studies in subpopulations of cells to assess response to different biological therapies.  In collaboration with Prof Lucy Wedderburn at UCL Institute of Child Health, we undertook genetic, immunological and psychological studies to assess factors predicting response to methotrexate. With Dr. Paul Brogan we are finding new gene mutations in familial inflammatory disease in the young.