#LetsTalkLabs with Jay Brown
Laboratory Manager Jay Brown talks to us about how the laboratory he works in helps clinical trials make a difference.
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).
Jay Brown is a scientist who manages the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF) laboratories at Wythenshawe Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. In this interview, he talks about his responsibilities and how these laboratories make a difference to people in the future.
Can you tell us a bit more about your role at Manchester CRF?
The main part of my role is to make sure that Manchester Clinical Research Facility’s laboratories at Wythenshawe Hospital and the MRI function effectively, follow strict protocols and help researchers find the answers they need.
Can you tell us about the role your lab plays in clinical trials?
Our laboratories play a key role in preparing samples (for example, blood from patients) in clinical trials that take place at Wythenshawe Hospital and MRI. When people taking part in a clinical trial arrive at our clinics, a research nurse will take samples, which are different from study to study. They are then taken to the laboratory where we use different techniques to prepare them before they’re used. We’re also involved in the initial stages of clinical trials, as researchers wouldn’t be able to start until we’re ready to support them.
We do follow up samples at different intervals, from weekly to yearly, depending on the study. Some of these studies continue for 5-10 years, so our involvement is ongoing.
How does your work benefits patients?
The work we do is part of clinical trials, which in turn leads to the development of new drugs and treatments. Our laboratory at the Manchester Royal Infirmary supports clinical trials that benefit adults and children who live with different conditions. For example, the trials are set up to find out how much of a treatment is effective for patients, if any side effects are caused and how well the treatment works.
The Manchester Clinical Research Facility at Wythenshawe Hospital mainly focuses on supporting clinical trials that aim to make a difference to people living with respiratory conditions like asthma, lung fibrosis. It also supports trials looking at breast cancer and dermatology treatments.
What standards do you have to follow?
Clinical trials are tightly controlled to make sure they’re safe for people taking part. All clinical trials must follow the Good Clinical Practice guidance, which sets international standards for conducting clinical research. This covers how to design, record and report clinical trials involving people. We also follow strict protocols designed by researchers, ourselves and the sponsors of the trial (an organisation that pays or oversees the clinical trial).
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