Clinical Genetics & Pharmacogenomics
The Northwest has internationally recognised centres of excellence in clinical genetics and is the only UK region to host both a National Reference Library and a Genetic Knowledge Park.
The UK Biobank in Manchester. This national project is the world's biggest resource for the study of the role of nature and nurture in health and disease. Up to half a million participants aged between 45 and 69 years will be involved in the study. Information from participants will create a powerful resource for biomedical researchers.
The Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Group at the University of Liverpool led by Professor Kevin Park encompasses the spectrum from molecular aspects of drug action to translational research on drug safety using utilising technologies such as microarrays, proteomics, transgenics and pharmacogenetics. This group is supported by BBSRC, CRUK, MRC, Wellcome Trust and UK Department of Health. Also within this group Professor Munir Pirmohamed was recently appointed to the NHS Chair in Pharmacogenetics which will complement a £10m Centre for Personalised Medicines being created by the University aided by a £2m grant from the Wolfson Foundation. Research will be carried out in collaboration with the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and other hospitals in the North West and will collect genetic information to build a detailed clinical picture of individual patients and their response to particular drugs.
The Central Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust houses both the Regional Molecular Genetics Laboratory and one of only two National Reference Laboratories in England.
The Northwest Genetic Knowledge Park (NoWGEN) in Manchester. The park aims to create a cohesive community of highly informed professionals that shares information, discoveries, expertise and experience in genetics. The focus of this will be a centre for Applied Genetics to house multi-disciplinary research groups that will deliver cost-effective genetics services.
DxS
in Manchester. The company provides genetic analysis services
to the healthcare industry including SNP testing, DNA extraction,
DNA banking and diagnostic genotyping.
CIGMR - Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research
based at the University of Manchester, is a comprehensive facility
for the analysis of complex diseases by combining epidemiological,
statisical and genetic approaches. Concentrating on the analysis of
inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune and neurocognitive phenolypes,
it offers services such as advice on genetic study design, ethics,
committee applications, bioinformatics, data analysis and
comprehensive in-house laboratory services for clinicians and
research scientists wishing to pursue genetic approaches to
understanding complex traits.
