Current research projects and publications 

The WRGL has a strong research ethos, which synergises with the diagnostic service and enables us to keep up with new developments in a rapidly changing and expanding discipline. Our basic research, much of which is conducted under the auspices of the University of Southampton, is directed at understanding how abnormalities of genes or chromosomes can lead to malignancy, neonatal diabetes, developmental abnormalities and other conditions. The work is led by Principal Investigators based in Salisbury and funded principally by Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund, Medical Research Council, Diabetes UK and Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children.

Our applied research focuses on a number of areas relevant to NHS genetic diagnostics, including National Institute for Health Research funded projects into non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (RAPID) and prenatal diagnosis using array technologies (EACH); development of tests for stratified medicine in cancer (Technology Strategy Board) and standardisation of testing for leukaemia (EUTOS)

Our work is resulting in the development of better diagnostic tests, better understanding of fundamental disease processes, identification of fundamental disease processes, identification of new drug targets and improved patient stratification.