Academic Lead(s):
Professor Michael Simpson
Dr Cristina Dias
The Departments of Clinical Genetics and Medical and Molecular Genetics provide a vibrant community for clinical academic collaboration. We have a strong track record of supporting successful IAT trainees, with extensive experience in joint supervision and training and will provide direct exposure to innovative research and translational medicine through new genetic technologies. IAT training posts integrate well alongside the clinical training programme. Our programme is an established training programme known as the PanThames scheme. As part of your training programme, we encourage collaboration with other specialities such as Cancer/Oncology, Neurology, Endocrinology, UK Twin Registry and St John’s Institute of Dermatology.
Through our established association with Genomics England, our central role in the South East of England Genome Medicine Service Alliance (including hosting one of the seven NHS Genome Laboratory Hubs of the NHS Genome Medicine Service) and our close links to the Genes and Health study and the Rare Disease Centre, the trainee will have exposure the use of contemporary genomic technologies that drive genetic discovery and translational innovation in clinical practice. Trainees will be provided with a range of research opportunities in cancer genetics and rare and common complex disease including approaches to understanding molecular pathogenesis, epigenetics and imprinting. There are also opportunities to utilise cutting edge statistical and computational approaches in the context of human genetics.
As part of clinical specialist training, IATs will gain competencies in a broad range of expertise: diagnostic genomics, general genetics and dysmorphology, cancer genetics, prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation diagnosis. Trainees will also be provided with the opportunity to be involved in specialist multidisciplinary clinics e.g., skeletal dysplasia, endocrinology, disorders of chromatin regulation, neurogenetics, cardiac genetics, renal genetics and metabolic disorders. We have a growing portfolio of clinical trials in rare diseases that the trainee will have exposure to as well.