Molecular diagnostics and the future of oncology
Posted on: 14 January 2019
Molecular diagnostics have the potential to change the future of oncology and advance the promise of personalised medicine said Professor of Molecular Diagnostics, Orla Sheils at her inaugural lecture recently.
Her lecture, entitled ‘PCR based Diagnostics – Theseus’ Paradox or Trigger’s Broom?’ was introduced by Professor Mary McCarron, Dean of Health Sciences at the Durkan Lecture Theatre, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James’s Hospital, Dublin on Thursday, 10th January 2019.
Commenting on the significance of her mission as Director the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Professor Sheils says:
“As genomics-focused pharmacology begins to play a greater role in cancer treatment, molecular diagnostics is emerging as a valuable method for obtaining a deeper and more accurate look into the molecular underpinnings of individual tumours. These technologies have the potential to change the future of oncology and advance the promise of personalised or precision medicine and create new frontiers in health care. This approach is central to TTMI’s ethos and forms part of the bedrock on which the Trinity- St James’s Cancer Institute will be built.”
At the lecture Professor Sheils gave an overview of the emerging field of Molecular Diagnostics which underpins precision medicine. One technique in particular, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) holds a unique position with regard to diagnostics, and has been used to develop novel diagnostics for TTMI. Professor Sheils’ research has given a unique insight into disease processes and the identification of patients who will respond to targeted treatments. In her lecture she spoke about collaborative efforts with biotechnology partners that have changed the way laboratory medicine is practiced today.
Professor Sheils explains how laboratory medicine is practiced:
“By identifying and measuring the genetic alterations that may be driving the growth of a patient’s tumour, their doctor can prescribe medication that targets that mutation and shuts it down. This approach aims to provide the right treatment for the right person at the right time.”
About Professor Sheils:
Professor Sheils has a PhD in Molecular Pathology from Trinity College Dublin and a MA in Medical Law and Ethics from Kings College London. She is recognised internationally as a key opinion leader in the area of novel molecular diagnostics, playing a central role in a variety of global consortia, acting as a scientific advisor to several Biotech partners and influencing national and European policy.
She is a leader in multidisciplinary molecular pathology, who has championed a niche area facilitating interaction between basic science, translational research, clinical service provision and biotechnology. In this regard she has built an independent, globally recognised research group focused on molecular diagnostics and identification of molecular features of disease progression. Through her research, she has uncovered pivotal mutations descriptive of several solid tumours including thyroid, cervix, ovary, colon, head & neck and lung. These discoveries form peer reviewed publications, populate pathology textbooks and are the basis for the translation of assays that she designed to transform clinical diagnostics.
In research, her commitment to translational medicine is underpinned by the singular objective of using clinical research to advance human health. The underlying theme of her research is to understand the causes and molecular basis of the development of disease, with particular reference to cancer, and to apply this knowledge to improving disease prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. She has a strong track record in developing novel molecular diagnostics and translating this research into clinical service.
In 2016 Professor Sheils was appointed as founding Director of the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute where she leads an exclusively health sciences-focused educational and research institution, embedded within the acute hospital setting. TTMI’s strategy of improving human health through translational research is predicated on clinical, laboratory-based and health service research informed by real world clinical bedside problems, and societal and global health challenges.