Dr Perry Maxwell (PhD, FRCPath) is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and until March of this year was the Lead Clinical Scientist for Molecular Pathology Diagnostics in the Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory (NI MPL), Belfast, UK.  NI MPL is a hybrid laboratory that is accredited in the UK to take care of the molecular diagnostics of the whole of NI (population = 1.8 million) and, at the same time, support the translational research mission of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, QUB.

Dr Maxwell obtained his PhD in Pathology from QUB in 1997 and was admitted FRCPath (Molecular Pathology) in 2011, is an HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist and an assessor with UKNEQAS ICC & ISH & UKNEQAS Molgen.

By April 2017, Dr Maxwell was author or co-author of more than 70 internationally peer-reviewed articles in molecular pathology and diagnostics.  He has published a number of abstracts in international conferences, and is co-editor and contributor to the book, “Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Cellular Pathology”.

Title: LIMS in Modern Molecular Pathology

Abstract:

The management, reporting and tracking functions in a modern Molecular Pathology Laboratory can be assisted using LIMS capability.  The Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory (NIMPL) NI MPL is a hybrid laboratory that is accredited in the UK to take care of the molecular diagnostics of the whole of NI (population = 1.8 million) and, at the same time, support the translational research mission of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, QUB. We therefore, need to provide clinical, research and biobank facilities to university, health service and industry and a LIMS capability is proving to be essential.

To this end, we have collaborated with Cirdan with investment from Invest NI, to develop suitable capability, which addresses these needs.  We have identified that the LIMS will need to capture factors from pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical parameters for single biomarkers with multiple report complexities, digital analysis, high throughput technologies such as NGS and interface with current biobank facilities.  Capturing this complexity of function will be challenging but the aim of delivering an operational LIMS capability will deliver benefits to not only laboratory management but also deliver quality research and clinical services to benefit researchers, clinicians and ultimately our patients.