Molecular and Digital Pathology
Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, with profound differences in risk and response to therapy driven by differences in underlying genetics. Modern cancer therapies thus require the ability to characterise and understand these differences in tumours to deliver the best outcomes for patients. The PGJCCR has extensive expertise in this area, with the long-term vision to enable all patients to have access to high-quality molecular characterisation of their tumour to inform their treatment.
Central to this programme is the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, bringing together international clinical expertise in cancer genomics, tissue hybridization and digital molecular pathology, complemented by bioinformatics. The PMCoE has been established to drive clinical adoption of research innovations, bridging the academic-industry interface to facilitate rapid translation of research into clinical practice.
Key achievements of the group include:
- Establishing the first comprehensive, molecular diagnostic laboratory for cancer patients in NI;
- Participating in the creation of what is likely to be the World’s largest annotated image database to drive knowledge in artificial intelligence (AI) and the application of digital image analysis algorithms for patient benefit;
- Developing a UK-wide reference training programme in molecular and digital pathology for pathologists and scientists;
- Contributing to the most important cancer-related committees in the UK (NICE, CRUK, NCRI, REF, PathSoc);
- Representation on key pharma advisory boards (e.g. Roche, AZ, MSD).
Principal Investigator Links
| Prof Manuel Salto-Tellez | |
| Prof David Gonzalez de Castro | |
