Determining risk factors and consequences of clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP)

Blood cancer-causing mutations can be detected in people without blood cancer, a phenomenon known as clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). These acquired mutations accumulate with age and people with CHIP are at increased risk of developing blood cancer, but also other diseases of ageing including cardiovascular disease. However, studies are inconsistent, creating uncertainty when someone is found to have CHIP. This thesis aims to better to understand how CHIP develops, what it means for risk of future disease for a given individual, and inform further work on how we might reduce that risk and prevent disease.