IN CONVERSATION WITH..........
Let us get to know the members of The IHC Network by answering a few questions!
Tell us your name
Colin Tristram
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Where do you work and what is your role there?
I am CEO of HistoCyte Laboratories Ltd
What do you love about your job?
I love working with biomedical scientists and pathologists in developing solutions to the problems they face in providing a service to patients.
What causes the most frustrations in your current role?
I think the changing regulatory field causes concerns in our field – particularly the pending IVD-R. Often well intentioned people make decisions that neither help the labs or industry. Innovation is driven hand in hand by labs and industry. Initial assays worked up in labs are typically RUO as labs work to validate the hoped for or presumed utility. Once established the IVD versions appear to allow wider lab adoption. There is a risk this could be compromised in future.
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What is your favourite antibody?
I have loads, I was involved in the development of many original Novocastra antibodies. Some of my favourites are HER2 given how much research I did on it in breast cancer. However, from a more personal perspective; VEGFR-3, the clone is called KLT9 after my wife. BOB1, clone TG14 is my grandad’s initials and year of birth (that’s 1914). I told him his name would carry on long after him – just no one would know the clone is Tom Gilmore! But I would when they talked about it. A go to Ab is DOG1, my colleague made it but I named the clone K9 (thought it was appropriate). Of course when it was talked about at meetings it would raise a wry smile. I also helped coordinate large multi-national study in GISTs with this clone – it was a fantastic study. Anyway, that’ll do – there are more though!
What exciting projects are you working on in your laboratory?
We are working on a range of new controls, in particular MMR. One of the stand out projects we are working on involves image analysis and our standardised cell controls as a means to perform QA for the lab. A bit like clinical chemistry run their standards it allows the IHC lab to monitor their weekly or daily performance. Something they would struggle to do with tissue due to the innate heterogeneity and variability.
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What advice would you give to somebody training in IHC?
More brown does not always mean better IHC. Think about the Ab, it’s epitope and the recommended protocol. Understand what it is you are looking at and why.
What do you like the most about being a part of a network?
I appreciate the open approach to discussing the problems that are facing everyone. The chance to educate and learn.
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Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Of course hanging out with my family but I play vets rugby and coach at my local club Novocastrians.
Let us get to know the members of The IHC Network by answering a few questions!
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Tell us your name
Emma Miles
Where do you work and what is your role there?
I work in Cellular Pathology at Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBU HB). I am a Specialist Biomedical Scientist with deputy responsibilities for our IHC department. Our IHC lab is embedded within Cellular Pathology with Histology and Non-Gynae Cytology. I work between Histology and IHC
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What do you love about your job?
I have worked in the department for almost 20 years, I did a working year here as part of my BSc Biomedical Sciences degree to complete the logbook and my registration and was lucky enough that they decided to keep me! I love that there is a lot of variety in what we do, we rotate around all areas of the lab so I get to do dissection, microtomy, special stains, QC and of course IHC which I love, it almost feels like being a bit of a detective, helping to give answers to help patients have their treatment.
What causes the most frustrations in your current role?
I don’t always feel like there are enough hours in a working day, increasingly there is more paperwork to accompany the lab work and it does take a lot of time to ensure it is all done correctly.
What is your favourite antibody?!
I do like a nice crisp nuclear stain such as a KI67, P53 or a TTF1.
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What exciting projects are you working on in your laboratory?
I am currently completing the IBMS DEP in ICC which is an exciting development for my role, I am enjoying putting together all knowledge gained from my hands on lab work along with learning more theory, and applying the new things I learn to my work. As a department we are introducing more molecular work and have a Biocartis Idylla on site that is currently being used in research, introducing some exciting opportunities for the department.
What advice would you give to somebody training in IHC?
Ask as many questions as possible, no question is ever silly, don’t be afraid of what people think. We all learn by asking, watching, listening and sometimes we don’t have the immediate answer but will always find out and learn along with you. I would always prefer someone to ask me to show them something or talk them through it 20 times than pretend that they understand, we have all been there.
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What do you like the most about being a part of a network?
The network is a fabulous idea, it helps us feel connected to other people in the same situations across the country, and especially during recent times where there has been more pressures and where we have had supply issues, it was lovely to see the network pulling together to share reagents and try to help each other out. There is a wealth of knowledge within the network and it is reassuring to know there are people out there who you can reach out too, and whom we can help if possible.
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Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I have two young, boisterous boys and this year have found myself doing a lot of home-schooling, and a part of this has included escaping to the outdoors as much as possible to keep us all sane! I have two dogs and we are very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world with lots of beautiful walks, canal paths and cycle track. I do enjoy spending time exploring around where we live and finding out about the rich history of my small welsh town.
Let us get to know the members of The IHC Network by answering a few questions!
In conversation with…..Laura Pitter. Meet Laura, Laura is a founding network member and sits on The IHC Network working group. Laura and the team are currently organising the first educational meeting hosted by The Network. Laura was selected to join the CSO WISE leadership and Development programme last year and featured as “one to watch” by the IBMS
Tell us your name
Laura Pitter
Where do you work and what is your role there?
St Helen’s & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust where I am a Senior Biomedical Scientist in Cellular Pathology and Lead Biomedical Scientist for Immunohistochemistry
What do you love about your job?
I love the variety! No 2 days are ever the same and usually involve lots of problem solving.
Even though I am lead for the Immunohistochemistry service, I am still actively involved in the Histology side of the department, which is sometimes hard in terms of time management but also means I can still have some influence on the pre-IHC processing and sectioning of samples.
What causes the most frustrations in your current role?
I have found myself increasingly frustrated lately when there doesn’t seem to be enough tissue to perform all the assays required. Sometimes a routine H&E followed by IHC leaves very little tissue for any subsequent molecular assays or further testing and makes me wonder if the sample was adequate in the first place, but I guess that’s the nature of our work.
What is your favourite antibody?
A hard choice! I love the story that a panel of antibodies can tell which can also be very frustrating when it doesn’t work out quite how you thought it would!
I like CK7 and CK20 working together but I also like Ki-67 and BER-EP4 as they look pretty on our control material J.
What exciting projects are you working on in your laboratory?
We are working towards introducing the PD-L1 assay into our repertoire, for NSCLC. This will hopefully pave the way for more companion diagnostic assays, a vital and exciting addition to the service that we have to offer our patients.
What advice would you give to somebody training in IHC?
Learn your theory! Detection kits and ready to use antibodies are great for efficiency and standardisation but learning the basis of each step is essential. Take your time to understand the different pathologies behind the antibodies in your repertoire to enhance your appreciation during the QC of material. Ask questions and participate in as many networking opportunities as you can.
What do you like the most about being a part of a network?
The shared learning! Having somewhere to seek advice or offer advice fills you with confidence. Knowing that problems are not isolated can help to resolve such issues quickly. Meeting new people, albeit virtually, has been fantastic.
Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
For my sins I am an avid Evertonian, owning a season ticket for over 20 years! I have 3 beautiful girls who challenge and inspire me every single day but also drive me to practice lots of yoga and meditation, although that could also be due to the antics on the football pitch, not lately though! I enjoy running and have taken part in numerous 10K and half marathons, plucking up the courage to go for a marathon as part of my big birthday celebrations later this year, until COVID-19 saved me.
Read Laura’s full biography here:
https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/cso-wise-ones-to-watch-pt-3/
Let's get to know our members and share the extraordinary work they do in their diagnostic laboratories. Once a month we'll ask the same 10 questions to one of our members and post the conversation here.
If anyone is interested in getting involved, please get in touch: