UK Survey of Protein Biomarker Research
Survey Report
Protein Biomarker Research in UK Hospital Clinical Biochemistry Laboratories: A Survey of Current Practice and Views Sophie Hepburn,1,2 Rosamonde E Banks,2 *Douglas Thompson1,2
Department of Blood Sciences, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; 2Clinical and Biomedical Proteomics Group, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK. *For correspondence: Dr Douglas Thompson, [email protected] 1
Abstract Background: With the increasing drive for more and better disease biomarkers to underpin the stratified or personalised medicine agenda, clinical biochemistry laboratories should be ideally placed to play a major role in their translation into clinical practice. However, little is known about the current extent of biomarker-related research activity in UK National Health Service clinical biochemistry departments. Methods: In December 2010, an online questionnaire was sent to active UK members of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry (ACB) to determine the extent of their current research activity and involvement in protein biomarker discovery and translation, including an assessment of the awareness of proteomics. Results: A total of 198 eligible responses (19% response rate) was received from across the UK. Of a further 50 eligible people who responded to a follow-up for initial non-responders, most cited insufficient knowledge about the topic as the reason for non-response (24% total response rate). The results illustrate the highly skilled nature of the workforce with many having experience in a research environment (75%) with postgraduate qualifications. However, more than half spend
Survey Report
Protein Biomarker Research in UK Hospital Clinical Biochemistry Laboratories: A Survey of Current Practice and Views Sophie Hepburn,1,2 Rosamonde E Banks,2 *Douglas Thompson1,2
Department of Blood Sciences, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; 2Clinical and Biomedical Proteomics Group, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK. *For correspondence: Dr Douglas Thompson, [email protected] 1
Abstract Background: With the increasing drive for more and better disease biomarkers to underpin the stratified or personalised medicine agenda, clinical biochemistry laboratories should be ideally placed to play a major role in their translation into clinical practice. However, little is known about the current extent of biomarker-related research activity in UK National Health Service clinical biochemistry departments. Methods: In December 2010, an online questionnaire was sent to active UK members of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry (ACB) to determine the extent of their current research activity and involvement in protein biomarker discovery and translation, including an assessment of the awareness of proteomics. Results: A total of 198 eligible responses (19% response rate) was received from across the UK. Of a further 50 eligible people who responded to a follow-up for initial non-responders, most cited insufficient knowledge about the topic as the reason for non-response (24% total response rate). The results illustrate the highly skilled nature of the workforce with many having experience in a research environment (75%) with postgraduate qualifications. However, more than half spend
