Inside Pathology: Clinical Transplantation Laboratory (CTL)
Thousands of organ transplants are performed in the UK each year. Scientists working in the Clinical Transplantation Laboratory (CTL) ensure that patients safely receive their life-changing transplants by using specialist techniques to predict whether the recipient’s immune system will reject the organ. The role of transplants in our lives is expanding as, in 2020, the law around organ donation in England changed to an opt out system to allow more people to save more lives. What is the science behind CTL services? How do national and local teams support organ transplantation? What challenges do CTL scientists face? In this episode, we get a bird’s eye view of CTL. Ali Versi, a patient who waited years for a kidney transplant, shares his experience on Inside Pathology. We also hear from Viapath’s CTL scientists at Guy’s Hospital on molecular typing methods, the organ transplant pipeline and the teamwork required to deliver transplant services in the age of COVID-19. Special thanks to our guests Ali Versi, Olivia Shaw, Corinna Freeman, Kamla Reddi and Hannah Maple. This podcast was produced by members of The Viapath Future Leaders in Innovation: including Charlene Hoad, Nana E. Mensah, Ariane Lim and Kate Roberts. Viapath UK: http://www.viapath.co.uk/ Organ Donation Law in England: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/uk-laws/organ-donation-law-in-england/ Music: Pure By Design by Purple Planet Music (Free License) Image from NHS Blood and Transplant.
February 23, 2021
Inside Pathology: Clinical Virology
Virology testing services are at the centre of our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we limit contact to protect the NHS and save lives, Virologists throughout the country have continued to meet the endless demand for COVID-19 testing. Elsewhere, the beginning of the pandemic markets a crisis in procurement, with personal protective equipment and testing kits at a national shortage. How does a virology service prepare for a pandemic? What does a procurement team do in an emergency? What should every future biomedical scientist know about a career in virology? We follow Andrea Wilson and Sam Sheppard on their redeployment journey to the June Almeida virology lab, which was created in response to the pandemic. We also hear from Jonathan Ponce about the challenges Viapath’s procurement team faced at the onset of the pandemic. Their stories show the teamwork and innovation that make pathology services thrive. Special thanks to our guests Andrea Wilson, Sam Sheppard and Jonathan Ponce. This podcast was produced by members of The Viapath Future Leaders in Innovation: including Ariane Lim, Nana E. Mensah, Charlene Hoad and Kate Roberts. Viapath UK: http://www.viapath.co.uk/ June Almeida News Release: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/news-and-events/2020-news/september/20200908-guys-hospital-names-covid-lab-after-pioneer-who-discovered-the-virus.aspx Music: Pure By Design by Purple Planet Music (Free License) Image by Martin Sanchez from Unsplash.
February 23, 2021
Inside Pathology: Clinical Genetics
DNA carries the biological code that makes each of us unique. For rare disease patients, it holds the key to diagnosis and future treatment. Scientists working in the clinical genetics service unlock insights from DNA that make a difference to patient’s lives. What is it like to be a rare disease patient? How do scientists work to find a genetic diagnosis? What skills are required to become a clinical scientist in genetics? In this episode, we follow Aimee Mann and her son Freddie’s journey to finding a diagnosis. Along the way, we meet scientists and consultant geneticists. Finally, we learn what it takes to be a scientist in the genetics profession today. Special thanks to our guests Aimee Mann, Dragana Josifova, Layla Afkahmi, Lisa Rauter and Rachel Mayhew This podcast was produced by members of The Viapath Future Leaders in Innovation: including Nana E. Mensah, Charlene Hoad, Ariane Lim and Kate Roberts. Viapath UK: http://www.viapath.co.uk/ Aimee’s Website: https://aimeemannmentoring.com/ Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN) UK: https://www.undiagnosed.org.uk/ Music: Pure By Design by Purple Planet Music (Free License) Image by Qimono from Pixabay.
February 23, 2021
Innovation Symposium 2018: Drones and Excellence in Pathology (rebroadcast)
A rebroadcast of our interviews from at the 2018 Viapath Innovation Symposium. Image by Pexels from Pixbay.
June 3, 2020