Transforming pathology & diagnostic practice
Validation Pilots
NHS GMCs are being invited to participate in four pilots to validate different sample handling techniques. It is hoped that successful collaborative validation will increase access to genomic testing for patients. The protocol for each of these has been published (see below).
If you are an NHS GMC wishing to participate, please contact the helpdesk. The procedural aspects of the sample handling and DNA extraction methods proposed will be reviewed centrally before approval.
Protocols:
- Shaken biopsy validation cohort v1.0 May 2018
- Validation of EBUS sampling v1.0 February 2018
- Fine Needle Aspiration for sampling surgical resections of tumour for Whole Genome Sequencing v1.0 February 2018
- Validation of cytology media for whole genome sequencing v1.0 February 2018
- Validation of PAXgene Tissue Fixation for Whole Genome Sequencing v1.0 February 2018
Sampling posters for the clinic
Download sampling posters herePathology Videos
We have videos available both describing tumour-specific sampling procedures and from an event discussing pathology in detail; please see tabs below.
Read about Tissue Handling in the RCPath BulletinProstate Tumour Sampling
Breast Tumour Sampling
Renal Tumour Sampling
These videos are equivalent to 1 CPD credit (see tab below for details)
You can view a day’s talks and discussion around tissue handling in our playlist (opens in new tab). This event was held here at Genomics England in partnership with NHS England and the Royal College of Pathologists on July 19th 2017. These videos together are equivalent to 4 CPD credits (see tab below for details).
Watch individual talks (with slides):
The Future Face of Pathology - Prof. J. MartinBoth video sets above are now Royal College of Pathologists approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) resources:
Medical staff and clinical scientists in career grade posts who are enrolled with one of the Royal Colleges for CPD purposes and attend the meeting will be entitled to receive CPD credits. Credits can be claimed at a rate of 1 credit per hour of engagement with your online resource.
Request CPD Certificates (opens in your email application):
- Sampling Different Tumour Types
- Tissue Handling Workshop – please include the number of hours watched
Please include your full name as you would like it to appear on the certificate.
Watch a subtitled version of this video here.
Our aim is to drive up the quality of cancer DNA samples for molecular testing in the NHS. This will not only serve the 100,000 Genomes Project but also have a positive impact on cancer testing in the NHS more broadly.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) in cancer can improve diagnosis and aid in treatment selection for clinicians. Often, the methods used to process tumour samples in routine NHS settings are unsuitable to extract DNA for WGS.
We are working with GMCs to change practice and enable WGS in the NHS. See below for the latest updates on our experiments.
Fresh, frozen tissue
Gaining DNA of high enough quality for whole genome sequencing, from routine clinical care, is not an issue unique to the 100,000 Genomes Project. Our work will help to inform other clinical and research studies in the NHS and around the world.
We are working with research collaborators, partners in NHS pathology services, and NHS England to introduce the fresh frozen (FF) method of collecting and storing cancer biopsy samples. We are extremely grateful for all the GMCs ground breaking work in this area.