Fresh vision for Clatterbridge's Biobank to support research as new manager arrives

Posted 27th April 2022

The appointment of a new Biobank and Clinical Trials Laboratory Manager at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre heralds a resurgence of its ability to aid research with the collection of samples.

Clatterbridge was recently given regulatory approval to expand the biobank now that it is becoming fully operational again, after being paused during the COVID-19 pandemic – and there are plans to increase the number of organisations the biobank can help.

Jamie Young has recently been appointed to manage the biobank and the opening of Clatterbridge’s state-of-the-art hospital in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter has meant the biobank now has expanded space, equipment, reach and capability.

Jamie is a Liverpool John Moores graduate who has previously worked in drug development and cancer research and has relocated from Cambridge where he worked at the University. He said: “My vision for the biobank at Clatterbridge is to help createand build a biological resource that can be fully utilised by the wider scientific community.

“The Trust is positioned in a way that would allow us to collect a variety of cancer types both common and rare, giving scientists the best snapshot of the current cancer landscape. This will drive our knowledge and understanding, leading to new and improved treatment options for the future.

“Cancer treatment is only as good as the knowledge and understanding we have of the disease. Cancer is complex and by understanding its mechanisms and how patients respond to therapies, we evolve our treatments as we learn. This enables us to treat patients in different ways to ensure they receive the best care possible.

“A lot of biological specimens used for research are 30-40 years old, created at a time when scientific practices were not necessarily optimised and the technologies to fully understand the sample biologically didn’t exist.

“This is where modern biobanks such as ours at Clatterbridge play a pivotal role in driving the research community forward; curating a collection of high quality biological samples, that are extensively biologically characterised.”

The new regulatory approval means that the Clatterbridge biobank can now collect tissue samples as well as the blood and urine samples it did before the pandemic.

Jamie said: “As a 2007 Liverpool John Moores graduate, it is staggering to see the progression in the city from when I was a student here. The co-location of our flagship cancer centre within the Knowledge Quarter and the infrastructure in place is linking medical research to healthcare for our patients’ benefit.

“My career to date has been within scientific research; working in the fields of drug development and research into the genetics of cancer. I hope my diverse knowledge and experiences will bring a different perspective into the shared challenges of understanding and treating cancer within The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.”

Jamie believes the revitalised biobank will be able to help researchers from other organisations, including Cancer Research UK, academic institutions and drug development companies.

“I have always striven for roles where my day-to-day work would have a positive impact on someone living with cancer,” Jamie added. “This unique opportunity at Clatterbridge combines clinical trials driving understanding of the disease, with new treatment options for patients; and building a vital biological resource for use both nationally and internationally.

“The biobank has the potential to make significant contributions in advancing research in the disease.”

Dr Maria Maguire, Head of Research Governance & Sponsorship, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jamie to the R&I Directorate and look forward to him working with us to implement the ambitions he has for the Biobank which are an essential part of our vision for accessible research for all.

“His aim is to ensure that Clatterbridge’s Biobank can provide researchers here and elsewhere with the biological resource they need to progress their work and ultimately discover new treatments and ways of improving care for our patients.

Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research & Innovation Operations, said: “We are looking forward to enhancing Clatterbridge’s Biobank in-line with our new Research Strategy. With Jamie leading the team and a clear vision for its future, the Biobank can become a facility everyone in R&I can be proud of.”