Research Project Coordinator
Professor of Genomic Epidemiology
The genetic epidemiology of back pain
Our group has examined the genetic epidemiology of back pain and identified several novel single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with disc degeneration and low back pain. We showed for the first time shared genetic risks or a common heritability for back pain/chronic pain, psychological disorders, disc degeneration as well as vertebral and cartilage formation.
Youtube Video: Largest genetic study of back pain
The Spine Microbiome Study
This project has emerged from the culmination of over a decade’s worth of dedicated disc degeneration research. We are focussed upon the contribution of errant bacteria in the initiation and progression of Modic change (a type of disc degeneration). We hope these results will highlight a bacterial disruption that is common to Modic change patients and offer targeted antibiotic treatment options.
Microbiome study of rheumatoid arthritis
This project aims to determine microbiome influences on the response to standard treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. Newly diagnosed, untreated patients were recruited and followed though their first months of treatment. We plan to see if microbiome signatures correlate with treatment response and changes in the microbiome relate to clinical and patient-reported outcomes.
Genetic epidemiology of age related hearing loss
We have a considerable track record in heritability studies in age-related hearing loss (ARHI) and the exploration of methods that allow collection of hearing data at large scale. This common complex trait is highly prevalent in the elderly and causes considerable disability and social isolation. We recently identified, in a large collaborative study, >40 genetic variants associated with ARHI. We are also quantifying the genetic correlation between ARHI and cognitive ability using large cohorts.
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Williams, F. M. K., Elgaeva, E. E., Freidin, M. B., Zaytseva, O. O., Aulchenko, Y. S., Tsepilov, Y. A. & Suri, P., Jul 2022, In: European Spine Journal. 31, 7, p. 1906-1915 10 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07263-2
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Estonian Biobank Research Team, 2 Jun 2022, In: American Journal of Human Genetics. 109, 6, p. 1077-1091 15 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.04.010
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Cherny, S. S., Williams, F. M. K. & Livshits, G., 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Annals of Human Genetics. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1111/ahg.12465
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CHARGE Inflammation Working Group, 29 Mar 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Human Molecular Genetics. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddac061
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Sudre, C. H., Murray, B., Varsavsky, T., Graham, M. S., Penfold, R. S., Bowyer, R. C., Pujol, J. C., Klaser, K., Antonelli, M., Canas, L. S., Molteni, E., Modat, M., Jorge Cardoso, M., May, A., Ganesh, S., Davies, R., Nguyen, L. H., Drew, D. A., Astley, C. M., Joshi, A. D. & 13 others, Merino, J., Tsereteli, N., Fall, T., Gomez, M. F., Duncan, E. L., Menni, C., Williams, F. M. K., Franks, P. W., Chan, A. T., Wolf, J., Ourselin, S., Spector, T. & Steves, C. J., Jun 2021, In: Nature Medicine. 27, 6, p. 1116 1 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01361-2
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Kasher, M., Freidin, M. B., Williams, F. M., Cherny, S. S., Malkin, I. & Livshits, G., Mar 2022, In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 37, 3, p. 440-453 14 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.4491
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Granville Smith, I., Danckert, N. P., Freidin, M. B., Wells, P., Marchesi, J. R. & Williams, F. M. K., 4 Dec 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) In: European Spine Journal. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-07062-1
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Lee, S. Y., Ibrahim, F., Tom, B. D. M., Nikiphorou, E., Williams, F. M. K., Lempp, H. & Scott, D. L., Dec 2021, In: Arthritis Research and Therapy. 23, 1, 1 p., 278. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-021-02653-1
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Thompson, E. J., Williams, D. M., Walker, A. J., Mitchell, R. E., Niedzwiedz, C. L., Yang, T. C., Huggins, C. F., Kwong, A. S. F., Silverwood, R. J., Di Gessa, G., Bowyer, R., Northstone, K., Hou, B., Green, M. J., Dodgeon, B., Doores, K., Duncan, E., Williams, F., Steptoe, A., Porteous, D. J. & 11 others, McEachan, R. R. C., Tomlinson, L., Goldacre, B., Patalay, P., Ploubidis, G. B., Katikireddi, S. V., Tilling, K., Rentsch, C. T., Timpson, N. J., Chaturvedi, N. & Steves, C., 28 Jun 2022, In: Nature Communications. 13, 1, p. 3528 1 p., 3528. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30836-0
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GEFOS Consortium, 1 Dec 2015, In: PLoS ONE. 10, 12, e0144531. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0144531
- International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) prize for clinical studies 2020
- International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) prize for clinical studies 2015
For an exhaustive list of grants and awards, visit Professor William's PURE profile.