Division of Neuropathology
The Division of Neuropathology (DNP) is one of the largest academic Neuropathology departments in the UK and has a substantial grant income leading to high quality academic output. It provides research infrastructure and expertise to IoN and diagnostic services to NHNN. It drives implementation of research innovation and is provider of essential tissue resources for basic and applied research at IoN. Importantly, there is close alignment and high synergy between research themes in the Division and the Institute. Current key areas are adult and paediatric neuromuscular pathology, neurodegeneration, neuro-oncology, and epilepsy.
Main objectives of the Division
Reconfigurations of regional health services will further consolidate highly specialised diagnostic services into the DNP. RFH, Bart’s Health and Brighton have already transferred their neuro-oncology diagnostics to DNP. Other partners are discussing to transfer their service in the near future. The benefits are better patient care, ideal training and teaching conditions, and cost effectiveness. It will at the same time draw in world class clinical academics from UCLP to contribute to brain tumour R&D. DNP will further expand as an academically active Division, will concentrate on delivering a high complexity diagnostic services and will continue to deliver high-quality research and academic training.
Four domains will remain a strong research focus over the next five years: Brain tumours (with focus on molecular diagnostics and basic research), neurodegeneration (QSBB and prion diseases), neuromuscular diagnostics and research (neuropathies, adult and paediatric muscular disorders) and epilepsy.
DNP is now involved in designing and delivering high quality training programmes across London. Since 2014, DNP is the lead training provider for Neuropathology in London by delivering an innovative, comprehensive, fully integrated training programme across London.
A strong demand from UCL departments to use the expertise of UCL IQPath histology and imaging will lead to increasing the facility’s resources to expand its capacity.
Service news: The following are currently in development pending extensions of our scope
18/09/2024: the following antibodies await accreditation in October 2024. pS6 235-236, pS6 240-244, EZH2, INI-1, AFP, CD3, H3K27m, H3me3, H3G34R, HCG, Pit1, SF1, T-Pit, TDP43, non p-TDP.
01/07/2024: Switch over from Illumina Epic V1 to Illumina Epic V2 chips and routine use of the classifier version 12.8 (standalone using a tailored graphical user interface (GUI Shiny App)).
01/06/2024: New Maxwell Nucleic acid extraction equipment was installed and validated, replacing a 2015 Maxwell instrument. Accreditation expected 10/2024