RECENT NEWS

Researchers have discovered a new genetic test which could help predict cancer recurrence, paving the way for more precise, personalised treatments. Mitochondrial genes can be checked routinely in biopsies of patients diagnosed with various tumour types, including breast, lung, ovarian or gastric cancers. And they prove more accurate than current methods of predicting a patient’s response to treatment.

Scientists at the Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Monash University, Australia, have adopted Dolomite Bio’s Single Cell RNA-Seq system to further their research into animal models of diabetic nephropathy (pictured). Mark Ziemann, research fellow and next-generation sequencing specialist, explained: “Previously, we’ve run bulk RNA sequencing on these animal models, and discovered a lot of variability coming from different cell types in the kidney. Single cell RNA-Seq will help us disentangle the major cell types involved in the disease from those which are not, and determine which cells interact with the immune system.

In just a few days (24–27 September) the biennial Biomedical Science Congress event will return to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. A superb, diverse scientific programme will be supported by perhaps one of the largest gatherings of diagnostics, technological and support companies and organisations in pathology and laboratory medicine. Among this eclectic mix of commercial interest and expertise will be found members of the team responsible for Pathology in Practice (Stand F19). They will be keen to hear your views on the magazine’s current content. If you are not already a registered reader, they will also provide encouragement for you to sign up to receive this free quarterly publication, which reflects advances to be found across the full spectrum of biomedical science disciplines, from both a commercial and scientific perspective. Registration is quick and straightforward, and can be effected online at www.pathologyinpractice.com/register

A simple test that can detect gene mutations in tumour DNA from blood samples is giving new choices to lung cancer patients with faster diagnosis and improved access to life-changing drugs. Traditionally, lung cancer diagnosis has relied solely on lung biopsies, an invasive procedure which many patients are too unwell to tolerate. However, a new EGFR mutation test enables the use of a liquid biopsy from blood alongside or instead of the lung biopsy to identify genetic abnormalities in the EGFR gene associated with lung cancer.

An investment in learning and development exactly sums up the IBMS Congress, which returns to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham later this month (24–27 September). Change is happening in pathology at a pace not previously encountered, and many biomedical scientists are extending their knowledge and skills beyond their own specialty as services and departments merge and technologies are shared across disciplines.

The August issue of Pathology in Practice saw the third in a series of articles on measurement uncertainty (MU) by Stephen MacDonald, in which he considered standard uncertainty, where all contributors are expressed in a common currency. In the fourth article in this important series, scheduled to appear in the November issue, he will be walking through uncertainty budgeting with internal quality control (IQC) as the major contributor. This will be applicable to a large portion of the assays in every laboratory’s repertoire, and will compare a number of different (but related) methods for determining the MU. In the fifth and following article, Stephen will approach MU in assays where multiple inputs contribute to uncertainty.

Digital and computational pathology is opening up a new dimension for pathology services. Philips Digital Pathology invites those attending the European Congress of Pathology (ECP; 2–6 September) in Amsterdam to visit Booth 44/45 for hands-on experience as well as tips from Dr Alexi Baidoshvilli (LabPON, The Netherlands). LabPON was one of the first laboratories to move to a fully digital histopathology workflow, and Dr Baidoshvili (pictured) believes that digital pathology will open up the potential for building “a global network of experts communicating remotely”.

Phasefocus is the recipient of a 2017 Microscopy Today Innovation Award for its Livecyte Kinetic Cytometer system. Livecyte enables quantitative label-free, live-cell analysis of single and multiple cell types in heterogeneous cell populations using ptychographic quantitative phase imaging (QPI).

BBI Solutions recently showcased its Morffi signal enhancement technology and Novarum smartphone reader at the Next Generation Dx Summit, held in Washington DC. For BBI, a manufacturer of raw materials and finished test platforms for the in vitro diagnostics market, it was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how Morffi can improve sensitivity, specificity and time to result for lateral-flow immunoassays.

Philips recently announced the expansion of its IVD portfolio at EuroMedLab 2017 as part of the drive to deliver on-the-spot testing for critical care patients. Marcel van Kasteel, CEO Philips Handheld Diagnostics, explained that laboratory managers were getting closer to clinical leads and cardiologists in understanding ways of collaborating to resolve unmet needs, especially around crowding and workflow in the emergency department (ED).

North West London Pathology (NWLP), hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Abbott recently signed a $252 million managed equipment services contract for the supply of all analytical equipment and consumables, including Abbott's Alinity ci and Alinity h series diagnostic instruments, as well as professional services and informatics solutions known as AlinIQ.

The August issue of Pathology in Practice features the third in a series of articles on the assessment of uncertainty of measurement, and this month Stephen MacDonald considers standard uncertainty, where all contributors are expressed in a common currency.

Researchers have identified properties in the protective structure of DNA that could transform the way scientists think about the human genome. Molecules involved in DNA’s supportive scaffolding go through dynamic and responsive changes to shield against mutations, recent research has shown. Experts say this finding is crucial to understanding DNA damage and genome organisation, and could impact current thinking on DNA-linked diseases, including cancers.

SpeeDx has entered into an agreement with Cepheid for distribution of its PlexPCR and ResistancePlus molecular diagnostic products in key markets throughout Europe. The agreement, covering Germany, France, Italy and the UK, will increase coverage for the ResistancePlus MG test, the first CE/IVD test for Mycoplasma genitalium to combine detection with testing for azithromycin resistance.

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics has entered a partnership with Diazyme Laboratories that allows customers access to a procalcitonin (PCT) assay, an important marker for the detection and management of bacterial infections and sepsis. The high-quality, fully automated PCT assay is available for use with Beckman Coulter AU analysers (models 480, 680 and 5800).

The two major roles of the haemoglobinopathy laboratory are the recognition of clinically important variant haemoglobins and the accurate and precise quantification of haemoglobin A2 for the diagnosis of β-thalassaemia heterozygosity. Both can be met by capillary electrophoresis (CE), which is now regarded as a suitable technique for the diagnosis of β-thalassaemia and the detection of variant haemoglobins.

Biomed Online offers a well-established programme of M-level short courses for MSc, PG Dip, PGCert qualifications. These are fully supported by tutors over 12 weeks and cover specialist healthcare and quality management topics for the professional development of biomedical scientists and workplace practitioners.

Researchers at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) have revealed the atomic structures of one of the two types of abnormal filament which leads to Alzheimer's disease. The researchers, whose study was published recently in the journal Nature, believe the structures uncovered could also suggest how tau protein may form different filaments in other neurodegenerative diseases.

Congress – in the UK the word means a large, formal meeting of delegates and representatives at which ideas are discussed and information is exchanged.

Lab Innovations will return for its sixth consecutive year on 1–2 November 2017 at the NEC, Birmingham. With the largest gathering of laboratory suppliers in the UK, this free-to-attend show has much to offer professionals across a wide range of sectors, from pharmaceuticals to food and drink.