Integrated Pathology Group
Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez' group aims to create new clinical research and diagnostic paradigms for morpho-molecular integration.
Our group aims to create new clinical research and diagnostic paradigms for morpho-molecular integration.
The traditional histological and immune phenotypes have been the backbone of tissue in-situ scientific and diagnostic interrogation for more than a century. However, two major recent developments in modern oncology have challenged this model:
1) the development of molecular oncology applied to tissue nucleic acid (NA) extractions; and
2) the application of digital pathology and artificial intelligence in the interpretation of routine H&E images, single-biomarker images and complex, multiplexing analyses.
Specifically, the Integrated Pathology Group (IPG), within the Molecular Pathology Division at ICR, aims to create new clinical research and diagnostic paradigms for morpho-molecular integration. To do so, the IPG will use established NA-type analyses (predominantly NGS-based) and novel Tissue Hybridization and Digital Pathology approaches using clinical exemplars that offer distinct clinical endpoints.
In particular, IPG will adopt and develop new ULTIVUE and OPAL multiplex assays, including biomarkers associated to immuno-oncology, DNA damage and repair and the cell cycle. In parallel, a pipeline for the application of digital pathology and artificial intelligence interrogation will be used, which will include a mixture of open-source, established products such as QuPath (developed in Professor Salto-Tellez’s laboratory at Queens University Belfast by Dr Pete Bankhead) together with other specific open applications in the artificial intelligence space.
The development of this capacity should allow, within ICR:
1) validation of clinical utility of new biomarkers;
2) delivery of complex tissue-based testing towards ‘accredited’ applications such as clinical trial interrogation or routine diagnostics; and
3) engagement with industry in the delivery of such assays.
The IPT aims to identify those exemplars based on collaborative work with existing Groups within ICR and the Royal Marsden hospital.
Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez
Group Leader:
Integrated Pathology
Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez is a recognised international leader in molecular and digital pathology. His research focus is on the relationship of phenotype to genotype, with a specific interest in the pathway of cancer biomarker development from discovery to clinical adoption.
Researchers in this group
.
Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez's group have written 322 publications
Most recent new publication 5/2025
See all their publicationsCurrent vacancies in this group
Recent discoveries from this group
Higher Scientific Officer
Under the guidance of Dr Thomas Lund, we are seeking to recruit a Higher Scientific Officer to contribute to support with laboratory management and provide oversight of operations of the IPU labs, including Leica Bond 3 Automated Slide Stainers, Akoya PhenoImager HT (previously known as the Vectra Polaris) and Ventana Discovery Ultra. The role offers the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary group, including clinical, scientific, and computational staff whose combined remit is to offer advanced pathology solutions to clinical research. This is an exciting opening in a recently established group at the forefront of clinical and academic research located in the world-renown ICR & RMH. The successful candidate will play a key role in the establishment and maintenance of SOPs, whenever necessary, coordination of provision of reagents, quality control and quality assurance of scientific data from all projects. In addition, the HSO is expected to support all aspects of histopathology related to a range of research projects in our established, advanced translational research laboratory in the field of complex (IHC/RNA-ISH/mIF) tissue hybridisation technologies. The post holder will work alongside a team of Biomedical Scientists, three Research Scientists/HSOs and a Senior Scientific Officer (SSO). The right candidate is expected to perform a variety of tasks that may include but are not restricted to: a) Staining of pathology slides using manual and automated methodology; b) Scanning of pathology slides stained using a variety of methods; c) Maintaining a high level of QA/QC of image quality About you The successful candidate must have: PhD in Biological Sciences, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Pathology, or a similar discipline Up-to-date knowledge of the current literature in cancer immunology, cancer therapies and the tumour microenvironment would be desirable Good laboratory skills, with experience in working in a collaborative environment Experience in tissue handling and processing, histological techniques, IHC, mIF, ISH, microscopy and digital image capturing Experience of using and maintaining SOPs based on these techniques Experience with training other members of staff Hands-on experience with using the Leica Bond 3 and/or the Akoya PhenoImager HT would be desirable Department/Directorate Information Team: Integrated Pathology Unit Directorate: Cancer Biology https://www.icr.ac.uk/research-and-discoveries/royal-marsden-centres/joint-integrated-pathology-unit https://www.cancerbrc.org/integrated-pathology-unit What we offer A dynamic and supportive research environment Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities Collaboration with leading researchers in the field Competitive salary and pension We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Dr Marta Vergnano or Dr Thomas Lund via email on [email protected] or [email protected].