Understanding Resilience: Inside the LEAP Study
7th April 2026 – by TwinsUK
The LEAP study, which focuses on resilience and ageing, is helping us understand an important question: why do some people recover better from stress than others?
Using data collected before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at TwinsUK are exploring the biology behind resilience, and what it might mean for healthy ageing.
We spoke to members of the LEAP research team about their work and what this study could lead to.
Meet the team behind LEAP
Dr. Marina Cecelja
“I have been coordinating analytical work across the study, bringing together different strands of data to better understand resilience.”
Dr. Max Tomlinson
“I’m a researcher analysing gene activity in blood samples from the LEAP cohort. Our DNA holds the instructions for crafting all the molecules in our bodies, a bit like a knitting guide for a jumper. My work explores how these molecules are stitched together, and how ageing and stress can affect the assembly of the final garment.
In simple terms, I’m trying to answer why our biological cardigan seems to pick up more holes the more often we pull it out of the wardrobe!”
Dr. Christopher Shore
“I am a research associate examining how epigenetics, alterations to the genome which don’t change the genetic code itself but can change which genes are switched ‘on’ or ‘off’, and clinical markers in blood (such as LDL cholesterol) might predict or measure resilience. Specifically, how resilient someone was to the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Ruth Bowyer
“I’ve been the analyst working on LEAP since it began in September 2023, so I also helped identify which precious pre-pandemic samples we would be sending for further analysis.”
Dr. Yasrab Raza
“My role is to analyse data and look at changes that happen with age and links to age-related diseases. I specifically look at protein’s important molecules in the body that help it function, to try to identify clues and make predictions on how we age.”
What is the study aiming to understand?
“To identify sources of resilience to protect our ageing population,” explains Dr. Marina Cecelja.
“The study uses COVID-19 as a stressor, which provided a relatively time-bound natural experiment to test the impact of resilience pathways.”
The team is particularly interested in what researchers call “dynamic resilience”.
As Dr. Ruth Bowyer explains:
“Some older people recover better after negative stressors, for example, a serious infection like COVID-19 or a very stressful life event, whereas others can be set off on a course of health decline. This ability to recover can change over time and is not the same between individuals.”
Using twins is especially powerful in answering this question:
“We can understand when resilience is due to shared genetics, and importantly, when it isn’t, which helps us identify potential interventions.”
Dr. Christopher Shore adds that the long-term goal is ambitious:
“Ultimately, this project aims to create a clinical test which can predict how resilient someone might be to a stressful event and potentially lead to therapies that improve recovery.”
What happens to the data once participants take part?
Once samples are collected, they go through a detailed and highly controlled process.
“Samples are processed and analysed to try and identify molecules that contribute to resilience,” says Dr. Marina Cecelja.
Dr. Christopher Shore explains:
“The data I work with is generated from blood samples, which are sent in a semi-anonymised way to specialised laboratories. There, epigenetic and clinical markers are measured and returned as large datasets.
The first step is cleaning this data and preparing it for analysis. Once analysed, it is stored securely, with access carefully managed for future research.”
Dr. Max Tomlinson adds:
“We sequence the samples to measure molecules such as RNA, and then use computational tools to analyse patterns linked to ageing and resilience.”
Dr. Yasrab Raza summarises the goal clearly:
“We analyse the data to identify patterns and clues that might help us predict how individuals age and respond to stress.”
What has been interesting or rewarding about working on this study?
Across the team, one theme stands out: the richness of the data and collaboration.
“It has been so interesting collecting different types of data and working with a large team to bring everything together,” says Dr. Yasrab Raza.
Dr. Ruth Bowyer highlights:
“It’s great to work with a big team within TwinsUK and to have such unparalleled data to answer these important questions.”
For Dr. Max Tomlinson, the science itself is a highlight:
“One of the most exciting things is seeing how many different ways the same instructions from our DNA can be stitched together, leading to very different outcomes.”
Dr. Marina Cecelja also emphasises the value of the TwinsUK dataset:
“Using longitudinal twin data allows us to look at ageing trajectories and differences between individuals in a really unique way.”
A message to our TwinsUK participants
“The study could not have happened without the dedication of twins over the years,” says Dr. Marina Cecelja.
Dr. Max Tomlinson adds:
“A massive thank you to all the TwinsUK participants who dedicated their time and energy to taking part and returning for visits over many years.”
Dr. Christopher Shore echoes this sentiment simply:
“Thank you! Without you, so much research that has the potential to improve lives would not be possible.”
And from Dr. Yasrab Raza:
“Without the amazing and generous long-term contributions of participants, this study would not have been possible.”
Thank you for being such an essential part of this research.