Pathogen Genomics Unit (PenGU)

A UKAS accredited medical laboratory No 9510

Pathogen Genomics Unit Cardiff

Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff

Wales Genomic Health Centre

Cardiff Edge Business Park

Longwood Drive

Whitchurch

CF14 7YU

Telephone: 02921 834010 (for results, consultation & advice during office hours 09:00-17:00 Mon-Fri)

E-mail: pengu.lab@wales.nhs.uk

Laboratory Hours:

07:30 – 17:00 (Monday - Friday)

DX Address

Public Health Wales Cardiff

PenGU

DX 425501

CARDIFF 53

Referral Form

Core reference services & guide to investigations

HIV Resistance
Characterisation of referred isolates to support outbreak/cluster investigations for epidemiological surveillance for Welsh Centre for Mycobacteria (WCM), Anaerobe Reference Unit (ARU) & Specialist Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Unit (SACU)
Covid-19 surveillance
Typing and surveillance of Influenza A & B and Enterovirus
Evaluation of new targets for Whole Genome Sequencing
R & D activities in relation to our reference functions

ISO 15189 Accredited Tests
Investigation	Samples Required	ISO 15189 Accredited Tests Performed	Turnaround Time (depends on complexity and current workload)
HIV Resistance	10ml of EDTA Blood or 3ml of Plasma samples referred via Microbiology Departments	Targeted Sequencing	14 working days
Characterisation of Mycobacteria	Specimens referred by WCM only	Whole Genome Sequencing	10 working days Results obtained from WCM
Characterisation of C.difficile	Specimens referred by ARU only	Whole Genome Sequencing	7 working days Results obtained from ARU
SARS CoV2	Specimens/Extracts referred from PHW Microbiology Network	Whole Genome Sequencing	10 working days
Other Tests Performed
Investigation	Samples Required	Tests Performed	Turnaround Time (depends on complexity and current workload)
Characterisation of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria	Extracts referred by SACU only	Whole Genome Sequencing	R&D Only Results obtained from SACU
Typing of Influenza, for epidemiological purposes and for the investigation of clusters / outbreaks	Specimens referred from Wales Specialist Virology Centre and Microbiology Network with prior arrangement	Whole Genome Sequencing	5-7 working days

How to obtain services

Use the HIV Resistance form: Form 1.5: Referral form-submission of clinical samples for HIV Resistance

Samples should be sent in packaging appropriate to current legislation, accompanied by a referral form (available to download below) detailing putative diagnosis, patient or sample details and relevant (clinical) history.

For all other services please contact appropriate Reference Unit.

Referral Form

PenGU Referral Form: HIV Resistance

For all other services please contact appropriate Reference Unit.

Staff

Clinical Lead for HIV resistance and Mycobacteria
Consultant Medical Microbiologist:	Dr Matthijs Backx
Pathogen Genomics Laboratory Team
Clinical Scientist and Head of Unit:	Dr Sally Corden
Senior Biomedical Scientist Deputy Head:	Joanne Watkins
Senior Biomedical Scientist:	Bree Gatica-Wilcox
Trainee Clinical Scientist:	Laura Gifford
Specialist Biomedical Scientists:	Alec Birchley & Sara Kumziene-Summerhayes
Healthcare Scientists:	Jason Coombes, Sarah Taylor, Dr Rebeca Evans, Alex Adams & Fabiola Przychodnia
Associate Practitioners:	Lauren Gilbert & Aaron Sheehan
Pathogen Genomics Bioinformatics Team
Consultant Bioinformatician:	Prof Thomas Connor
Lead Bioinformaticians:	Dr Sara Rey & Dr Catryn Williams
Senior Bioinformaticians:	Dr Jonathan Jenkins, Dr Dyfed Evans & Andrew Beazer
Bioinformaticians:	Amy Gaskin, Milly Roberts & Emily Brightwell

Pathogen Genomics Unit (PenGU)

A UKAS accredited medical laboratory No 9510

Referral Form

Core reference services & guide to investigations

ISO 15189 Accredited Tests

Other Tests Performed

How to obtain services

Referral Form

Staff

Clinical Lead for HIV resistance and Mycobacteria

Pathogen Genomics Laboratory Team

Pathogen Genomics Bioinformatics Team

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