FEATURE ARTICLES

he recent reporting in the media of one man’s gene editing treatment to reverse the effect of his sickle cell disease has thrust this condition into the limelight. The following are examples of open-access coverage of sickle cell genetics in the current literature.

Recent developments in anti-Xa technology have resulted in a coagulation test that can easily be part of the core coagulation laboratory repertoire. Here, Stago compares and contrasts two methods for monitoring heparin therapy.

Pathology services continue to face challenges to detect the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Here, Sarah Pitt provides a further update on the virology, epidemiology, testing and treatment of this mutating agent of pandemic disease.

Summaries of lectures on the IBMS Science Congress scientific lecture programme are requested from individual speakers. In this first of two reviews, Pathology in Practice selects highlights from alphabetically cellular pathology to immunology.

As ARKRAY transforms into a truly global diabetes brand, UK general manager David Eyre talks to Pathology in Practice about the challenge of setting up a new operation.

Thrombin generation testing to measure the coagulation profile of patients undergoing surgery could lead to major improvements in managing intraoperative bleeding. Stago reports on its involvement in surgical research into pseudomyxoma peritonei.

In this article, Serious Hazards of Transfusion laboratory incident specialist Nicola Swarbrick focuses on a specific area of transfusion science haemovigilance practice – incident investigation – that was the topic of a SHOT webinar held last year.

Surface transmission has been identified as an important route of pathogen spread, especially within the healthcare environment. Here, Jade Pallett discusses viral and bacterial transmission and looks at the key issues and evidence.

Accurate diagnosis of GI disease is fundamental for appropriate patient management. Focusing on four common diseases, Carolyne Horner describes how a selection of commercial kits may supplement diagnostic methods and support diagnosis.

As a result of continued research and development, the incidence of death from cancers caused by human papillomavirus infection is falling. Here, Neil Bentley provides an overview and looks at the impact of screening and diagnostic testing.

Later this month, the ICC in Birmingham will host one of the largest gatherings of biomedical and life science companies. This selection of exhibitor previews offers a taste of what visitors may find to interest them on individual stands in the exhibition.

Much has change across the research community over the past two years as a result of the ongoing pandemic. As an example, open-access publishing has been a beneficiary of the need to make the results of research available as quickly as possible.

The biennial IBMS Congress series will return to the ICC in Birmingham in just a few weeks. The focus once again will be on the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer.

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee have published a report, Coronavirus: lessons learned to date. Here is an overview of the key findings of their deliberations.

What is a crisis? According to dictionary definitions it is a time of great difficulty or danger when problems must be solved or important decisions must be made. Here, Robert Hewitt looks specifically at crises affecting biosample sharing.

Since the introduction of Sysmex’s XN-Series in 2011, haematology laboratories have benefitted from its many operational and clinical features. Here, we look at a selection of these benefits and further advances in the field over the coming years.

A look back at the last BSMT Annual Scientific Conference on COVID-19 and in particular at one of the consequences of the pandemic – the increased demand for near-patient testing.

The delayed fourteenth iteration in the biennial Congress series will return to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham next March. Here, Pathology in Practice provides a brief preview of the four-day event.

Extending laboratory reach beyond the hospital works best with the integration of specialised surrounding solutions. Here, in a moderated session, thought-leaders from Sunquest and CliniSys Group explore the benefits of purpose-built technology.

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has proved to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by nearly 90%. Research into all aspects of HPV-related disease continues as the following examples illustrate.