Coeliac disease affects around 1 in 100 people world wide and is caused by an immune response in the intestine to proteins (glutens) from wheat, rye, and barley.
The only treatment is for coeliac disease is to follow a gluten free diet. Coeliac UK is a charity for people with coeliac disease.
There are known to be strong inherited (genetic) factors which lead to coeliac disease - identical (monozygotic) twins have a higher concordance rate (both twins develop disease) than non identical (dizygotic) twins; and close (first degree) relatives of people with coeliac disease also have a higher than expected risk (~10%) of coeliac disease.
We are carrying out scientific research to identify the inherited (genetic) factors leading to the development of coeliac disease.