Participate in Research Alopecia studies currently recruiting patients: If you are interested in taking part in a trial, then you could ask your doctor if they know of any that might be suitable for you. You can also have a look at the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Be a part of Research website, to search for current clinical trials for alopecia. University of South Wales: An Investigation into psychological impacts of alopecia Location: Online Closing Date: 24th May 2020 Laura Knight, a third-year psychology student at the University of South Wales, is recruiting people affected by all types of alopecia, for her study looking at the psychological impacts of alopecia. The aim of the study is to learn more about the relationship between alopecia, perceived stress levels, experience of negative mood and the use of coping strategies. The study will assess how psychological well-being is affected by alopecia and how people cope with the condition. Participants will be asked to answer three online questionnaires, which should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Laura is looking for participants affected by any type of alopecia who are over the age of 18. For more information, please download the patient information sheet. If you would like to take part in this study, please click here. If you have any questions about this study, please email Laura. Birmingham City University: Experiences of living with Alopecia Location: Online Closing Date: July 2020 Paige Clarke Jeffers, a Master’s student at Birmingham City University, is recruiting people affected by alopecia areata, totalis and universalis for her study, “Black women’s experiences of living with alopecia. Is it just hair?” The aim of the study is to develop a better understanding of individual's experiences of alopecia. This could improve understanding of people’s approach to alopecia so healthcare professionals can begin to come up with ways to help. Participants will be asked to undertake a one-to-one interview, via Skype or Microsoft Teams. The interview will last for up to 45 minutes. Paige is looking for participants who identify as female, are over the age of 18, are Black or Dual Heritage and have been affected by alopecia areata, totalis or universalis for at least three months. If you would like to take part in the study please click here for more information, or download the patient information sheet. If you have any questions about the study please email Paige. Alopecia Biobank (Glasgow area): Recruitment Paused due to COVID-19 restrictions Location: Glasgow area Closing date: Ongoing The Alopecia Biobank is collecting samples of blood, skin swabs, skin biopsies and stool from volunteers with AA, AT and AU, to investigate how immune cells cause hair loss. The team are also looking for samples from people with non-inflammatory alopecia (i.e. male and female pattern hair loss), for comparison purposes. The initial aim of the project is to discover which immune cells are different in people with AA, AU, AT compared to the other groups. The team will then investigate how these cells alter the immune response in the blood, skin and intestine of people with these conditions. They will also aim to look at the bacteria within the stool and skin swab samples to see how these may differ and contribute to hair loss in AA, AT, and AU. The team aim to use these tests to find the factors of the immune system that are most important in causing alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis. If you live in the Glasgow area and are interested in being a part of this study, please click here for more information of how to take part. Interested scientists can apply for access to samples from the Biobank by contacting Professor Milling at the University of Glasgow. Updates from the Biobank: Kym writes regular blog posts for us to keep us updated on the outcomes of her research project, which uses samples from the Biobank. These are available here: Time for T-cells (November 2018) Making sense of molecules (June 2019) Ethical Tissue Bank at the University of Bradford Recruitment Paused due to COVID-19 restrictions Location: Bradford Closing date: Ongoing The Ethical Tissue bank at the University of Bradford are collecting skin biopsies from people with alopecia areata. The tissue collected will be used for the Alopecia UK funded project Characterising the role of antigen presenting cells in alopecia areata, run by Dr Mardaryev at the University of Bradford. If you are interested in taking part in this study, please call Annette Essex on 01274 365456. Scientists need these human tissues, cells and body fluids for research into how a disease starts as well as finding different ways of diagnosing and treating it. The purpose of Ethical Tissue is to help biomedical researchers to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses. Tissue will also be available on request for other alopecia areata research projects. For further information contact Ethical Tissue or visit the website www.ethicaltissue.org.