Molecular Haematology Team
Team Leader: Professor Gareth Morgan
Location: Brookes Lawley Building, Sutton
Section: Section of Haemato-Oncology
The focus of the research activity in this area is to develop methodologies able to characterise the basic pathogenic mechanisms underlying the aetiology of haematological cancers. This work is becoming increasingly important as it is realised that only by fully understanding the mechanisms involved in the development of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, is it possible to target treatment. We have established a range of high throughput technologies, which can help in the diagnosis and classification of tumours, as well as in the prediction of their clinical behaviour. By characterising the underlying molecular events, such as mutations within tyrosine kinase genes we hope to select specific inhibitors of these molecules which are active clinically.
We have focussed activity on the characterisation of gene expression profiling and gene mapping technologies to characterise the haematological cancers so that we can classify them better, as well as using the information to predict outcome. We also have developed multi-parameter flow cytometry technologies capable of monitoring residual disease following treatment, even at very low levels. We have also used this technology for the detection of specific cellular markers, such as ZAP-70, which can predict the outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
External Funding: Myeloma UK, Leukaemia Research Fund, International Myeloma Foundation, Bud Flanagan Leukaemia Fund, Cancer Research UK, CLL Global Research Foundation, Kay Kendal Leukaemia Fund, David Adams Leukaemia Fund, Department of Health.
In the Section of Haemato-Oncology
