Head of Laboratory
Specialist Dermatology Laboratories - EB Lab
Trish is responsible for providing and developing the diagnostic service for epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and for various other inherited skin disorders. The EB Lab is the sole diagnostic centre for the National Service for Epidermolysis Bullosa in the UK, set up by the Department of Health through their National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG).
Trish completed a BSc in zoology (specialising in cell biology and immunology) at University College London, followed by a three-year cell biology research studentship at Queen Elizabeth College London. She then spent five years as a Research Assistant investigating bone mineralisation at the Institute of Orthopaedics, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. This was followed by three years as a Research Technician carrying out light and electron microscopy for studies on cell adhesion and locomotion at the MRC Biophysics Unit in London.
She moved to industry in 1986, spending five years developing specialist cryo-electron microscopy techniques for the Wellcome Research Laboratories in Beckenham, Kent. She joined the United Medical & Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in 1991 as a Chief Laboratory Scientific Officer, providing electron microscopy for diagnosis and research into EB and other genodermatoses. In 2004 she transferred to the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust as Head of Laboratory for the new Robin Eady National Diagnostic EB Lab.
Trish has been responsible for setting up and establishing the EB Lab which developed from an academic unit in St John’s Institute of Dermatology, part of the Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospitals School of Medicine (King’s College London).
This ranged from initial laboratory design, through interaction with managers, architects, suppliers and contractors to recruitment, followed by development of processes and systems. In the established lab, Trish undertakes analysis of skin biopsies by immunofluorescence antigen mapping and electron microscopy, and she leads the team to provide and develop an integrated microscopy and mutation analysis service for diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis.
She participates in collaborative research studies aimed at extending knowledge of the clinical conditions and developing new treatments for patients. She also teaches Dermatology MSc students and visiting clinicians, as well as advising clinicians from the UK and overseas who enquire about sending samples to the lab.
