LabCon 2021

13:00 – 14:30 – Haematology

Chair: Dr Claire Wynne, Lecturer in Haematology, TU Dublin

13:00 – 13:50    Advances in Cellular and Gene Therapies 

Dr Eoghan Molloy, Consultant Haematologist, University Hospital Limerick

Dr. Eoghan Molloy is a Consultant Haematologist in University Hospital Limerick. Dr. Molloy received his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons, and completed General Internal Medicine Basic Specialist Training in Beaumont Hospital Dublin, and Gold Coast University Hospital, Australia. He completed Higher Specialist Training Haematology in Ireland, followed by Fellowship Training in Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy at the National Institutes of Health, USA. At the NIH, he worked in the Centre for Cellular Engineering, in CAR-T Therapies, Cancer Vaccines, Gene Therapy, Stem Cell Transplant, and experimental Cellular Immunotherapies. He received specialist training in Apheresis for Cellular Therapy, receiving the American Society for Apheresis, Qualification in Apheresis (QIA). He received AABB/George Washington University Cellular Therapies Certification in 2020, and subsequently authored a book chapter for “Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapies for Cancer: A Practical Guide”. He is a member of the AABB Cellular Therapies Section, and contributes to the Cell Therapy: Current and Emerging Topics subsection, addressing the development of cellular therapy processes, manufacturing and application to clinical practice.

Abstract
Focus on the laboratory and clinical aspects of cellular and gene therapy and their applications to disease processes including Sickle Cell Disease, Leukaemia and Lymphoma. Addressing the collection, laboratory testing and manufacture of cellular therapy products.

13:50 – 14:05  Analysis of storage conditions on sample integrity for haemostatic assays

Lucianne Keating, Medical Scientist Beaumont Hospital/Cork University Hospital

Lucianne is a medical scientist from Tipperary and is a recent graduate of the BSc Biomedical Science programme at TU Dublin (2020), graduating with a double major in haematology and immunology. After completing her laboratory placement in Beaumont Hospital Dublin, she returned to the haematology and coagulation department to complete her final year project in specialised coagulation. Lucianne is currently working in the Haematology laboratory in Cork University Hospital (CUH). Although Lucianne has a keen interest in haematology as a whole, she has a particular interest in specialist coagulation and has begun training on the specialist bench in CUH. Lucianne enjoys the challenge of working and learning in the realm of specialist coagulation, and hopes to complete the remainder of her training in the near future. Lucianne is eager to nurture and influence developments in the field of medical science by pursuing further education in the hope of contributing more specialist knowledge and learning to the ever-expanding pool of expertise and research in the field. Lucianne is currently applying for a master’s degree, due to commence in September 2021 in the hopes of broadening her depth of knowledge in the area and fuelling her enthusiasm for the subject matter.

Abstract
This study sought to determine whether freezing platelet poor plasma (PPP) samples at -80 ºC for thrombophilia and factor assay testing alters results more than 10% from baseline values. A second study examined whether storage of whole blood at room temperature (RT) or 2-8 ºC influences DNA yields over time. CLSI guidelines recommend storage of PPP at -20 ºC for up to 2 weeks and -80ºC if long term storage is required to maintain factor stability. Woodhams et al., 2001 reported that all coagulation proteins in plasma stored at ≤ -74ºC remained stable for at least 24 months. CLSI guidelines for molecular assays state that whole blood intended for DNA analysis can be stored at RT for up to eight days or at 2-8°C before DNA extraction. Blood was collected from nine volunteers for the studies. Blood from sodium citrate tubes was double spun by centrifugation to obtain PPP. Antithrombin, Protein C, Protein S, Lupus, APCR, factor II, VIII, assays were run days 0,7,14,28 and 42 post-freeze at -80ºC. Samples for the molecular study were stored in two different groups; 2-8 ºC and RT. DNA extractions were performed on all samples on days 0,7,14,28,33,47. DNA yields from both groups were analysed spectrophotometrically. Results of all coagulation assays except Factor II remained within 10% of baseline values of freshly tested PPP up to six weeks. Factor II values exceeded 10% difference from Day 0-14 days post freeze at -80 ºC. Surprisingly, blood stored at RT remained stable over time. DNA yields from blood stored and RT and 2-8 showed no statistical difference to each other, challenging current guidelines.

14:05 – 14:30    Advanced Practice for Laboratory Scientists in Haematology

Nicki Lawrence, Principal Biomedical Scientist, Advanced Practitioner in Morphology, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

I am a Principal Biomedical Scientist Advanced Practitioner in Morphology, working in a large University Teaching Hospital. I work closely with the Clinical Haematology team to deliver Laboratory Haematology Services across the Pathology Network. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Scientist and a Chartered Scientist. I started my career as a lab assistant and became a multidisciplinary state registered BMS in Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry. I have completed the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Haematology and I’m currently the only person to have completed the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Routine Haematology.

Abstract
Traditionally progression in the laboratory environment has involved promotion to a management position. Here I discuss how instead an advanced practice role can benefit both laboratory and clinical haematology. This expanded role allows me to investigate and interpret complex morphology, develop close working relationships with other clinical teams, provide in-depth advice to service users and act as an expert point of contact.

15:00 – 16:30 – Clinical Chemistry

Chair: Caroline Reilly, Specialist Medical Scientist, Biochemistry, CHI at Crumlin

15:00 – 15:30    Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS)

Dr Ronan Leahy, Consultant Immunologist, CHI at Crumlin

15:30 – 16:00    Let’s assess risk! – risk assessment for ISO 15189

Mick Amoruso, Senior Medical Scientist, The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh

16:00 – 16:30    Implementation of Siemens RAPID systems, point of care blood gas analysers

Francesca Patton, Chief Medical Scientist, Letterkenny University Hospital

11:00 – 12:30 – Transfusion & Transplantation Science

Chair: Fergus Guilfoyle, Chief Medical Scientist in Haematology/Blood Transfusion Coombe Women and Infants University, Hospital

11:00 – 11:15    Transfusion Updates,

Fergus Guilfoyle, Chief Medical Scientist in Haematology/Blood Transfusion Coombe Women and Infants University, Hospital

11:15 – 11:45       Cork University Hospital ‘Pre-Hospital’ Transfusion Project

John Sheehy, Chief Medical Scientist, Cork University Hospital

John graduated with a BSc from Cork Institute of Technology / University College Cork biomedical science degree course in 1993 and attained his MSc from the University of the West of England (Bristol) in 2001. He commenced as a medical scientist in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in 1993 and moved to the Cork University Hospital in 2001. He assumed the role of Haemovigilance co-ordinator in 2002 and took up the post of Chief Medical Scientist in the CUH Blood Transfusion Laboratory in 2012, the post he continues to hold presently.

Abstract
An overview of the development and implementation of a ‘pre-hospital’ blood transfusion project in Cork University Hospital. This project required close collaboration with a large cohort of differing stakeholders e.g. Blood Transfusion Laboratory, Emergency Department, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Ambulance Service, West & East Cork Rapid Response services and Irish National Accreditation Board to ensure the delivery of such a project while continuing to comply with the relevant legislation.

11:45 – 12:15    The Unexpected Intra-Operative Major Haemorrhage Guideline 

Patsy Kelleher, Senior Medical Scientist, Tallaght University Hospital.

15:00 – 17:00 – Microbiology & Virology

Chair: Karen Hickey, Surveillance Scientist, Microbiology Laboratory, Sligo University Hospital

15:00 – 15:30    Vaccines – the first 100 years.
Dr Derek Doherty, Head of Discipline of Immunology, TCD

‘Since graduating from Trinity College Dublin, Derek Doherty completed a PhD at King’s College London and postdoctoral research in the University of Washington, Seattle and University College Dublin before holding lecturing positions at Maynooth University and subsequently Trinity College Dublin.  He is currently Head of Discipline of Immunology and principal investigator of a research group focussed on the biology of human innate T cells, their roles in the pathogenesis of disease, and their treatment potential for cancer, infectious and autoimmune disease’.

15:30 – 16:00    Covering all the bases : Whole Genome Sequencing and SARS-CoV-2
Dr Jonathan Dean, NVRL, UCD

16:00 – 16:30    The Emergence of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in ireland
Alma Tuohy, Medical Scientist, UHG.

16:30 – 17:00    EUCAST Issues/Updates
Isabelle O’Callaghan, Sp Medical Scientist, Cork University Hospital