The University of Cambridge Department of Haematology is a world leading centre for a wide spectrum of haematology research, a central part of the UK’s haematology community and through its close integration with Cambridge University Hospitals and the University of Cambridge a vital contributor to haematology patient care nationwide and a beacon in the training of new generations of clinicians and research leaders in the field. The Department has fifteen independent research groups and over 80 postdoctoral researchers. Eleven groups are headed by Professors, four by research fellows. Our groups have made significant contributions to the study of haematology, authoring approximately 100 publications per year, many of these in high-impact journals, and producing discoveries particularly in these areas:
Malignant haematopoiesis, leukaemia and lymphoma
The Department has eight groups working in this area, making it a globally significant centre for research in leukaemia, lymphoma and pre-leukaemic conditions. Leading researchers include Professor Tony Green (former European Haematology Association President; Jean Bernard Lifetime Achievement Award; Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences), Professor Brian Huntly (current European Haematology Association Executive Board member and committee chair; Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences), Professor George Vassiliou and Dr Dan Hodson. Contributions include major advances in our understanding of myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia which have led to new therapies for these conditions. Current research includes the study of age-related clonal haematopoiesis and the therapeutic targeting of the tumour microenvironment, epigenetic and transcriptional aberrations and the study of other mutations that lead to the development of leukaemia and lymphoma.
Normal haematopoiesis
The Department has an international reputation for the study of normal blood cell production across the human lifespan and has made significant advancements in the study of haematopoietic stem cell biology and in its dependent microenvironment. Ongoing research includes significant contributions to the Human Cell Atlas, the study of embryonic haematopoiesis and understanding how ageing and stress conditions affect haematopoiesis. Important researchers include Professor Bertie Göttgens (former International Society of Experimental Hematology President, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, EMBO Member), Professor Elisa Laurenti and Professor Simon Mendez-Ferrer.
The Department’s strength in malignant and normal haematopoiesis has been recognised by the establishment of the Kay Kendal Centre for Haematopoiesis and Haematological Malignancies and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Strategic Center of Research for Myeloid Cancer Prevention.
Transfusion medicine
The Department has made significant breakthroughs in the study of platelet biology and is at the forefront of the production in the laboratory of blood cells for human transfusion. We are currently producing platelets and leading a Phase I clinical trial of laboratory-produced red blood cells. Leading researchers in this area are Professor Cedric Ghevaert and Dr Nick Gleadall. Our work on transfusion medicine is conducted in close partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant and is partly based in their Cambridge Centre.
Structural biology
The Department has world leading expertise in crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, which have led to many important discoveries including landmark new anticoagulant treatments, the establishment of the structure of ribosomal subunits and proteins and breakthroughs in the pathology and treatment of rare diseases such as Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. At least two more therapeutics related to this work should be entering trials in the immediate future. Leading researchers include Professor Randy Read (Fellow of the Royal Society), Professor Alan Warren (Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences) and Professor Jim Huntington (Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences).
Genomics
The Department had a major role in the 100,000 Genomes Project, the world’s first widescale project sequencing genomes of members of the public, most of whom had cancers or rare diseases, and currently hosts the NIHR BioResource, a national bank of volunteers for genomic research, and is playing a significant role in the Blood Transfusion Genomics Consortium, an international project to enable affordable precision matching of blood products. In addition, the Department has significant links to the Wellcome Sanger Institute and played a major role in the exploration of somatic genetics in myeloid malignancies. Major researchers include Professor Nicole Soranzo (EMBO Member, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences), Professor Tony Green, Dr Jyoti Nangalia and Dr Nick Gleadall.