Overview and topics covered

TWO DATES ONLY - 20th & 27th August 2021

Please note the following pillar 2 visits are fully booked:
Visits on 20th: Milton Keynes, Leamington Spa, Newport, London
Visits on 27th: Leamington Spa, London.

These educational visits are being organised by NHS Test and Trace in collaboration with the Royal College of Pathologists for medical and scientist trainees in microbiology and virology, biomedical scientists, consultant microbiologists and consultant virologists, public health teams and DHSC civil service, offering a unique opportunity to tour Pillar 2 SARS-CoV-2 RNA mass Lighthouse Laboratories in the UK.

Who should attend?
Medical and scientist trainees in microbiology and virology 
Biomedical scientists
Consultant microbiologists and consultant virologists
Public health teams 
Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors’
DHSC civil service

Topics covered

 

Detail

Learning point(s)

1

Introduction to history of Lighthouse Laboratory

Pandemic response and urgency

2

IT and dashboards

Setting up: from patient request to result availability

3

Construction

Planning and construction

4

Logistics

Equipment and reagent procurement and transport

5

Specimen reception

Sample receipt and debagging (triage for initial manual vs automated process routes, identifying deviating samples, leaks, no barcode etc)

6

Sample preparation

Sample transfer to lysis plates (use of automation for consistency and supporting high sample throughput, reducing operator error, including contamination): manual and automated

7

RNA extraction process

Using semi-automated and automated platforms

8

PCR plate preparation

Using automated platforms

9

PCR room

PCR analysers, channels

10

In Milton Keynes and Leamington Spa: EPCR setup Nexar, Hydrocycler and Araya

Principles of EPCR, automation

11

Software for analysis

PCR curve or end-point signal analysis interpretation and reporting of results (include QC, QA reporting)

 

Machine learning software if used

12

VOC testing (if available locally)

Principles and algorithm

13

Sequencing (if available locally)

Principles and output

 


 

 

Schedule - 20th and 27th August 2021

Visits to the laboratories below will take place on Friday 20 August and Friday 27 August between 2 and 4 pm.

Please note the following pillar 2 visits are fully booked:
Visits on 20th: Milton Keynes, Leamington Spa, Newport, London
Visits on 27th: Leamington Spa, London.

Lab location

Laboratory

Technologies that can be viewed

Maximum number of visitors per visit

Milton Keynes, England

NIHR UK Biocentre

RT-PCR, EPCR, VOC, Machine learning

20

Glasgow, Scotland

Scottish COVID-19 Testing Centre

RT-PCR, VOC, Machine learning

20

Leamington Spa, England

DHSC

Megalab

EPCR, Machine learning

6

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Randox                                      

RT-PCR, VOC,

Reflex

4

Newport, Wales

Perkin Elmer Laboratory

RT-PCR,

ARMS Reflex

5

Newcastle, England

Baltic Park Gateshead

RT-PCR, Amplitude and VOC

20

HSL, London, England

Covid Surge Lab

RT-PCR, VOC

4

Plymouth, England

Plymouth LHL (UHP)

PerkinElmer Inc -PKI SARS-CoV-2 assay

Test kit: rtPCR, VOC, ARMS PCR using LabChip GX Touch (duplex assay)

4
Terms and conditions

Please read the below terms and conditions before booking.

  • A limited number of places are available to book on a first come first served basis.
  • Individuals may only book one tour.
  • Tours are free but individuals are responsible for paying the cost of their travel to and from the laboratory.
  • Bookings are non-transferable and individuals must cancel their booking if they cannot attend their planned visit.
  • Details, including the address of the laboratory, will be emailed to individuals upon booking.
  • Limited personal data will be shared by the RCPath with the organising laboratory in order that they are aware of who to expect.
  • Individuals should expect to take photo ID to their laboratory tour and confirmation of their employer (if not on their photo ID).
  • All places must be booked by Friday 13 August 2021.
Contact

For more information, please contact:

Dr M Sudhanva MBBS, MD (Microbiology), FRCPath (Virology)
Consultant Virologist, South London Specialist Virology Centre, Infection Sciences, 
King’s College NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Clinical Advisor Lab - Team of NHS Test & Trace [Lighthouse Labs and local advisor for Milton Keynes LHL]
[email protected] 

 

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