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The TAL analyses human samples from national and international Phase I to Phase III trials of novel targeted therapies that maximise patient impact, transform understanding of disease biology and dissect mechanisms of action of therapies and mechanisms of response.

It is open to all PIs in Oxford and the UK and offers a wide selection of Next Generation Sequencing genetic and deep phenotyping assays on cells and tissues. The TAL works closely with the WIMM Single Cell and Imaging facilities and supports long-term bio-banking of nucleic acids and viable cells.

Automated pipetting into a 96-well plate.© Elpisterra/Shutterstock.com

The laboratory works with CIs/PIs to add value to a clinical trial, offering assays that allow:

  • Patient selection at the start of a trial
  • Patient stratification into different therapy arms during the trial
  • Validation of secondary endpoints for more rapid trials and exploratory endpoints.

 

Careful analysis can also provide mechanistic data on how therapies work in patients, providing confidence to regulators.

We currently provide the following services on peripheral blood and bone marrow samples:

Tests Technique Used
*Manual isolation of mononuclear cells Density gradient separation
*Automated isolation of mononuclear cells Density gradient separation
*Detection of minimal residual disease for acute myeloid leukaemias Flow Cytometry
Detection of minimal residual disease for acute myeloid leukaemias using Leukaemia Stem Cells panel Flow Cytometry (for research purposes only)
*Automated DNA extraction Magnetic particle technology
*Manual DNA extraction Silica-based membrane
*DNA quantitation Fluorimetry
*Automated RNA extraction Magnetic particle technology
*Manual RNA extraction Silica-based membrane
*RNA quantitation Fluorimetry
*Qualitative detection of hotspot mutations in NPM1 Multiplex PCR detected by capillary electrophoresis
*Qualitative detection of hotspot mutations in IDH1 Multiplex PCR detected by capillary electrophoresis

*Fusion gene detection:

  • RUNX1::RUNX1T1
  • BCR::ABL
  • CBFB::MYH11 K
  • MT2A::MLLT3
  • PML::RARA
Multiplex PCR followed by fragment length analysis detected by capillary electrophoresis
*Detection of mutations in FLT3; FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD Multiplex PCR detected by capillary electrophoresis

Molecular genetic analysis for somatic variants: Targeted analysis using diagnostic myeloid gene panel.

Screening Panel of 108 genes including: ASXL1, BCOR, BCORL1, BRAF, CALR, CBL, CEBPA, CSF3R, DNMT3A, ETV6, EZH2, FLT3, GATA2, IDH1, IDH2, JAK2, KIT, KRAS, MPL, MYD88, NPM1, NRAS, PHF6, PTPN11, RAD21, RUNX1, SETBP1, SF3B1, SMC1A, SMC3, SRSF2, STAG2, TET2, TP53, U2AF1, WT1, ZRSR2

NGS library preparation and hybrid capture enrichment using custom capture panel followed by Next generation sequencing

* Tests submitted to the accrediting body (UKAS) for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025. Awaiting assessment.