Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

PGD

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• Contacts
• Joy Delhanty
• Joyce Harper
• Sioban SenGupta
• PGD team
• Research team
• Results
• PGD workshops and training
• Publications
• Further information about PGD

UCL Centre for PGD

Treatment, Training and Research

UCL Centre for PGD was established in 1990 and was one of the first centres in the world to perform PGD.  We performed the first ever cases of PGD using the FISH technique for chromosome abnormalities and embryo sexing.  Since that time we have become one of the most internationally recognised PGD centres, the longest continually running PGD centre in the UK and the first independent PGD centre to become ISO 15189 accredited.

We are unique as we perform research into all aspects of preimplantation development, training (MSc courses, annual PGD workshop and others), and perform clinical PGD cycles.   

We are one of the few academic PGD centres with a team of 14 staff performing clinical PGD and/or research.  We perform our diagnoses in house and all of our patients have consultations with the PGD team.  The majority of tests are developed specifically for each couple. 

We perform the majority of our cases with the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH), Institute for Women’s Health, University College London Hospital.The team is headed by Professor Joy Delhanty and Dr Joyce Harper, both pioneers in PGD.

Dr Sioban SenGupta is head of the team treating single gene disorders.

Karen Fordham is our genetic nurse specialist. Karen deals with all patient enquiries, consultations, cycle organisation, etc.  All patients are seen by Karen for an initial consultation where she explains the PGD procedure and the advantages and disadvantages.  If a couple decide to go onto the PGD programme, Karen will apply for NHS funding and the diagnosis will be worked up specifically for each couple by our dedicated team.  The patients are then seen for a full consultation with Karen and one of our PGD team (Professor Delhanty or Dr Sioban SenGupta) and the exact method of diagnosis is explained with reference to the patient’s DNA or chromosomes.  For further information visit CRGH web site.

World firsts

UCL Centre for PGD has had many of the world firsts in PGD as we are both a clinical and academic centre.  We were the first to offer PGD by FISH for embryo sexing and chromosome analysis, we were one of the first to describe the high level of chromosome abnormalities in human embryos, we were the first to describe highly abnormal (chaotic) embryos, we developed, and were one of the first to use, the technique of CGH to check all of the chromosomes in human embryos and eggs and one of the first to specialise in PGD for inherited cancers.  We were the first clinic in the UK to offer PGD for many disorders, including myotonic dystrophy, Crouzon syndrome, non-syndromic sensorineural deafness and cancer predisposing genes such as neurofibromatosis types I & II, retinoblastoma, and familial polyposis coli.  We were the first UK clinic to apply for a licence for the breast cancer gene, BRCA 1. 

We have HFEA licenses to perform sexing for X-linked diseases, monogenic diseases, chromosome abnormalities and aneuploidy screening. 

• Full list of all the conditions for which we have carried out treatment
• Full list of the number of cases and results per year, please go to results page.

We are continually developing new diagnoses depending on patient requests. Our general strategy involves direct mutation detection combined with analysis of linked markers. Our protocols are specific for couples which allows us to do PGD for de novo mutations.

Research

• Research Team

UCL Centre for PGD has produced over 100 papers on PGD. We are working on a number of projects involved in early human development including epigenetics, DNA repair, gene expression and array technology.

Training and Education

• MSc and post graduate diploma in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine
• MSc and diploma in Reproductive Science and Women’s Health

UCL Centre for PGD is one of the main international training and education centres for people working in PGD.  Since 1996 we have run a very successful MSc and post graduate diploma in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine and since 2009 an additional MSc and diploma in Reproductive Science and Women’s Health.  We also have a number of PhD students working on various aspects of early human development.  Since 1996 we have run annual International PGD workshops.

Accreditation

UCL Centre for PGD was one of the first centres in the world and the first UK PGD centre to obtain ISO 15189 accreditation (CPA – reference 2920).

For a full list of the number of cases and results per year please go to results page.