Events in 2023

An overview of the UKTLC collaborators and history of the UKTLC. An introduction to the new standards and the evidence supporting these and the findings of the 2022 UKTLC survey.

What’s in the new precompatibility guidelines?

Eco-epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis virus in the UK

Controlled human infection models (CHIMs) allow researchers to deliberately infect volunteers with a carefully pre-defined viral inoculum and perform detailed investigations. These can examine both pre-existing immune responses and allow longitudinal sampling of multiple immunological compartments following infection. The unique nature of these CHIMs avoid the multiple confounding factors, which tend to limit conventional observational studies of naturally acquired viral infections in patients.

We have successfully established challenge models of influenza (H1N1 and H3N2), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV2, and used a variety of tools (such as multi-parameter flow cytometry, ELISpot, multiplex cytokine and chemokine arrays and transcriptomics) to characterise populations of low-frequency virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in both peripheral blood and cells in the upper and lower airways from challenge participants. We have also been able to extend our infection models into vulnerable populations, such as older adults, and use these techniques to investigate fundamental questions about the kinetics, specificities, and functionality of the cell-mediated response in these clinically relevant populations.

Challenge models allow us to probe the immune response to respiratory viral infections in a uniquely detailed manner. These advantages also make challenge models an attractive approach to testing the efficacy of novel vaccines and vaccine platforms, potentially leading to new vaccines and therapeutics, able to generate robust anti-viral immunity, while avoiding the significant risks and costs associated with traditional Phase II/III vaccine trials.

There is a tendency to promote staff into supervisory roles and then allow them to find their feet on their own as the are faced with managing staff and taking on more responsibility. Departments tend to be very good and training these supervisors on how to perform tasks such as rotas, overtime payments, etc. but assume they have the necessary skills to mage and lead staff.

Often these supervisors look to role models from managers they have worked with or for and Tv (the apprentice, shudder) to help them developed their interpersonal skills. Sonic healthcare UK has recognized this as an opportunity to help with the development of all grades and has a novel training program to aid in supporting management and leadership skills. This will be discussed in this lecture.

The IBMS Specialist Diploma is an important part of the development of Biomedical Scientists and is used as a mechanism to allow progress from band 5 to band 6 (or equivalent) by most laboratories. In recent years, various factors have impacted the ability of laboratories to support Specialist Portfolio training, resulting in recruitment challenges at the specialist level.

To address this, Pathology Practice Educators in London took a collaborative approach to deliver specialist training, covering the knowledge aspects of the Clinical Biochemistry Specialist Portfolio in a series of webinars. To support the webinar series and host resources we created a centralised online learning resource on the FutureNHS Collaboration Platform.

The successful pilot project has been used as a blueprint, taking this initiative across all UK Pathology networks, and covering 6 major disciplines. Learn about the journey of this pioneering specialist training programme for Biomedical Scientists and our exciting plans to expand the learning resources and widen the scope to other IBMS qualifications.

Following the presentation you are invited by the speaker to complete this online form

Nations, institutions, and now the NHS have made net-zero commitments, but how will this affect scientific operations, and what would net-zero science look like? Laboratories are recognising their energy intensive nature, and assessing their immense consumption of consumables. More green lab efforts are growing around the world, though more standards are needed.

This talk will include:

An introduction to sustainable and green labs
A look at what net-zero laboratories might resemble in the future
An introduction to Sustainability standards, and what programmes are developing regarding the sustainability of clinical, research, and all kinds of labs
Questions!

NHS England established the Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) in 2018 to realise the potential of genomics in healthcare. The NHS GMS built upon the existing NHS infrastructure and used learnings from the 100,000 Genomes Project to embed genomics through a world leading innovative service model from primary and community care through to specialist and tertiary care.

A consolidated national genomic laboratory network was established with seven GMS Alliances working together to support the clinical leadership and embedding of genomic medicine in end-to-end pathways more broadly and the working with other key clinical specialties. Equitable genomic testing is delivered through a single mandated National Genomic Test Directory for improved outcomes in cancer, rare, inherited and common diseases, and in enabling precision medicine and reducing adverse drug reactions.

Working in partnership with Genomics England the delivery of the whole genome sequencing service and ongoing key research initiatives are integral in developing the genomic service. Ongoing evolution of the service through cutting-edge science, research and innovation to ensure that patients can benefit from rapid implementation of advances is critical.

This presentation will give delegates attending an:

Overview of the pre-analytical processing pathway and potential risks associated with each stage.
Historical/current/prospective optimisation of the pre-analytical pathway.
Understanding of the near-future perspectives for standardisation-will technologies such image analysis and spatial profiling affect the practice of pathology laboratories.

Despite effective treatments and vaccines viral hepatitis remains a massive burden on global health affecting the poorest counties disproportionately. Effective treatments and diagnostics for hepatitis remain outside the reach of most people in resource-poor regions.

In contrast, UK strategies against viral hepatitis have been relatively successful, in particular the prospect of HCV elimination, which is already showing improved outcomes in liver health.

Effective strategies depend on high quality epidemiological data which is gleaned from a wide variety of sources including diagnostic laboratory reporting, sentinel surveillance programs and prospective screening of high-risk groups.

The key components preventing transmission of blood-borne viruses such as donor screening, surveillance of susceptible groups and vaccination are now further enhanced by retrospective case finding from historical data, opt-out screening in emergency departments and high intensity test-and-treat events in prisons.

Biomedical Scientists can make a valuable contribution towards viral hepatitis management by sharing local-level data, enabling practical testing solutions for marginalised groups and working closely with clinical teams.