Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (H&I)

What is Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I)? This is the field for tissue compatibility and immune genetics.

Our focus is on the relevance of Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) on transplant, transfusion and disease development. Because of this, H&I combines elements of traditional genetics and immunology laboratories. A network of H&I laboratories are located across the UK and Ireland.

We use molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to identify patient (and donor) HLA antigens, but we also use serology-based techniques to identify antibodies directed again non-self HLA. Most laboratories will support a combination of solid organ transplantation (e.g. kidney), stem cell transplantation (i.e. bone marrow transplants) and HLA typing for diseases such as coeliac disease. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) based laboratories also perform HLA testing for patients who are refractory to platelet transfusions to identify if HLA antibodies could be a contributing factor.

Laboratories that support solid organ transplant provide a 24-7 oncall service to HLA type potential deceased organ donors and to enable a compatibility assessment (i.e. a crossmatch) to be performed where a patient is offered an organ from a potential donor as part of a national service.

On a day-to-day basis the work will depend on the laboratory and role but could include duties such as booking in of samples, DNA extraction, serum separation, screening samples for HLA antibodies or setting up molecular assays. In more senior roles, such as a specialist BMS or Clinical Scientist, the roles may also involve trouble shooting, clinical decisions and management responsibility.

Further general information about UK H&I services and details of the training programmes available can be found below.

[For questions or amendment requests, please contact secretary@bshi.org.uk]

There are currently 24 laboratories across the UK and Ireland providing specialist H&I services. A complete list is provided below, along with links to their websites for further information.

If any amendments or further information is required then please contact secretary@bshi.org.uk.

Location	Trust	Department
Anthony Nolan	Anthony Nolan Charity	H&I Laboratory
Barnsley	NHS Blood and Transplant	H&I Laboratory
Belfast	Belfast Health and Social Care Trust	H&I Laboratory
Birmingham	NHS Blood and Transplant	H&I Laboratory
Bristol - Filton	NHS Blood and Transplant	H&I Laboratory
Bristol - Southmead	North Bristol NHS Trust	Immunology and Immunogenetics
Cambridge	Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	Tissue Typing
Cardiff	Welsh Blood Service	Welsh Transplantation and Immunogenetics Laboratory (WTAIL)
Dublin	Beaumont Hospital	H&I Laboratory
Edinburgh	National Services Scotland	H&I Laboratory
Glasgow	NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	H&I Laboratory
Leeds	The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	Transplant Immunology
Leicester	University Hospitals of Leicester	Transplant Laboratory
Liverpool	Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust	Infection and Immunity
London - Colindale	NHS Blood and Transplant	H&I Laboratory
London - Guys	Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (Synnovis)	Clinical Transplantation Department
London - Hammersmith	North West London Pathology	H&I Laboratory (Immunology)
London - Harefield	Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust	Tissue Typing
London - Royal London (Barts)	East and South East London Pathology Partnership	Clinical Transplantation Department
London - Tooting	NHS Blood and Transplant	H&I Laboratory
Manchester	Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust	Transplantation Laboratory
Newcastle	NHS Blood and Transplant	H&I Laboratory
Oxford	Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	Transplant Immunology
Plymouth	University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust	H&I Laboratory

 

Associate of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) - General career advice for H&I

NSHCS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in H&I - National Training Programme

BSHI Certificate of Competence (CoC) and Diploma - UK H&I training programmes supported by laboratories (BSHI members only). Please discuss with your Training Manager.

Institute of Biomedical Science - Specialist Portfolio - IBMS H&I Training