Pathogen Genomics Unit (PenGU)
Information:
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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
- Evaluation of new targets for Whole Genome Sequencing
- R & D activities in relation to our reference functions
| Investigation | Sample required | 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 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 |
| 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
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 |
| Clinical Scientist | Laura Gifford |
| Specialist Biomedical Scientists | Alec Birchley, Sara Kumziene-Summerhayes |
| Healthcare Scientists | Jason Coombs, Sarah Taylor, Dr Rebeca Evans, Alex Adams, Fabiola Przychodnia, Aaron Sheehan |
| Associate Practitioners | Noor Elkoli |
Pathogen Genomics Bioinformatics Team
| Consultant Bioinformatician | Prof Thomas Connor |
| Lead Bioinformaticians | Dr Sara Rey, Dr Catie Williams |
| Senior Bioinformaticians | Dr Jonathan Jenkins, Andrew Beazer, Dr Jamie McMurtrie, Amy Gaskin, Dr Ash Sendell-Price |
| Bioinformaticians | Milly Roberts, Emily Brightwell, Dr Tom Whalley, Dr Danielle Scales, Dr Krisna Made |
| System Administrator | Felwin Sleeba |
Further information
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