#LetsTalkLabs with Andrew Bennie

Laboratory or lab-based research is often the first step in research that makes a difference. However, we don’t talk enough about it, so #LetsTalkLabs!

To spark more conversations about this aspect of research, we have partnered with research advisory groups BRAG and Voice Up, people from Greater Manchester and researchers on #LetsTalkLabs, an initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

Andrew Bennie manages the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF) laboratory based at The Christie. He spoke to us about how this laboratory supports clinical trials in making a difference to cancer patients in the future.

Can you tell us a bit more about your role at Manchester CRF?

I always describe it as more like working in restaurant kitchen. You've got a lot of things coming in and things must be processed in a certain time. Everything's got its own set of instructions and you'll be working on maybe two or three trials at the same time, you've got people coming asking questions, couriers coming in looking for things to be shipped out and you've got deadlines to meet. It’s quite lively sometimes, and I like that.

Can you tell us about the role your lab plays in clinical trials?

There's a team of five of us, myself and technicians. We handle all the biological samples, such as blood, that patients provide as part of clinical trials taking place at The Christie. Our job is to receive the samples, track them, and process them following instructions that the researchers or sponsor of the trial (those who fund it) have set for us.

We are a small cog in a big machine, but at the same time, without all of us, the trials wouldn't work. Researchers wouldn't receive any samples and wouldn’t get any data, meaning they wouldn't be able to continue with a clinical trial.

What motivates you in this job?

A lot of my fulfilment in this job comes from getting our work, our expertise and our roles out there. I also get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the success of trials in helping patients and knowing that the trial we worked on has enabled a patient to see another birthday or to have their wedding.

Find out more about how laboratory-based research makes a difference on Facebook and X. Visit our opportunities page to find out how you can have your say in research and benefit people in the future.