Research

ReviewThe child first 2008 and always Contents

Overview 04 Director’s report 08 Chief executive’s report 10 Research and development report

Research 14 Dr Colin Wallis 16 Dr Lyn Chitty 18 Dr Kevin Mills 20 Dr Andrew Taylor 22 Dr Neil Sebire 24 Professor David Skuse 26 Dr Mike Hubank 28 Professor Ian Wong 30 Professor Nikhil Thapar 32 Dr Therese Hesketh People 36 Awards, honours and prizes 2008 40 Grants and donations 2008 43 Senior academic staff 2008 50 Administration 2008

Cover: There are lots of children like eleven-month-old Edward at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). He isn’t here because he is ill. He and his grandmother are visiting his brother Charlie, who has multiple allergies and congenital hyperinsulinism.

Left: The patients at GOSH, like John, benefit from the close relationship of researchers working alongside doctors to deliver ground-breaking healthcare from bench to bedside. Research Review 2008 01 Mae Leong, specialist registrar in paediatric pathology, examines a biopsy specimen in Dr Sebire’s lab at the UCL Institute of Child Health.

Breakthroughs in medical research only happen as a result of years of meticulously conducted studies, by individuals passionate about their work. Director’s report Research activity at the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH), in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), has continued to increase. This, and our very positive results in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), allows us to continue to play a leading role in driving paediatric research forward, which not only benefits children but also the adults they become.

The results of the 2008 Research Despite the gratifying RAE result the Assessment Exercise were released in Institute cannot afford to rest on its laurels, late December. The Institute participated in and in 2008 we began what will become a large submission to the clinical medicine an annual cycle of strategic planning. sub-panel (Unit of Assessment 4) along The first aim is to identify and capitalise with the UCL Institutes of Ophthalmology upon the strengths of the Institute and and Women’s Health, the Ear Institute and GOSH, as well as devising ways to improve part of the Division of Medicine. Nearly areas where we are not so strong. Towards 300 staff were submitted, and the UCL the former, the Institute’s renowned facility Institute of Child Health made up 40 per for microarray analysis of gene expression, cent of the whole (120 staff members). headed by Dr Mike Hubank (see page 27), joined with colleagues at UCL to The 2008 RAE rating takes the form of create UCL Genomics, an unparalleled a staff quality profile in which 4* and 3* resource for genetic analysis throughout denotes international research quality, UCL and beyond. In a similar vein, we while 2* and 1* refers to national quality. have begun to seek funding for expansion Pleasingly, 40 per cent of research in the of the Institute’s highly successful gene Institute’s submission received 4*, and a therapy programme. We need to improve further 30 per cent was rated 3*. Hence, our clinical-grade laboratory facilities 70 per cent of our research is considered in order to allow an increased range of international quality. The RAE panel of diseases to be treated by this also awarded the maximum (100 per cent) powerful technology. score for both ‘environment’ and ‘esteem’ aspects of the submission. This superb The care of children and young people performance topped the 4* rankings for dying from cancers and non-malignant clinical medicine, and outperformed both diseases has not previously been a Oxford and Cambridge. If the percentage focus for academic activity at the Institute, of 4* and 3* staff is multiplied by the total although GOSH has long been strong number of staff submitted, then University in this area. During 2008, a team led by College London (UCL) has 208 research Dr Renee McCulloch and Dr Finella Craig staff of international quality, with our succeeded in a national competition to nearest competitor, Imperial College establish an academic unit of children’s London, having 131. palliative care. Funded by the True Colours Trust, this award will allow us to recruit a world-class professor who will develop a national network to advance knowledge, education and clinical practice in this important and growing area of paediatrics.

Seven-year-old Ellie is wearing her favourite pyjamas for her stay on Rabbit Ward. She is being treated for gastro-oesophageal reflux. Overview Research Review 2008 05 Director’s report continued

The Institute’s senior staff had many In closing, let me look forward to the individual successes during 2008. ever-changing environment in which For the third year in succession, we the Institute and Great Ormond Street attracted prestigious Higher Education Hospital (GOSH) must operate. The 2008 Funding Council for England clinical RAE was the last of its kind, and will be senior lectureships from the Department succeeded by a new method of research of Health. Dr Paul Brogan gained an assessment – the Research Excellence award for his research into the molecular Framework. Our research outputs will basis of vascular inflammatory disease be judged increasingly on ‘metrics’, such and Dr Mark Peters was appointed for as how many times a publication is cited work in developing new approaches to by others in the field. The coming year children’s intensive care. will also mark the development of UCL Partners, a new association in which A number of Institute staff also gained UCL is collaborating with its associated promotion at University College London. NHS trusts to focus effort on translational Dr Atul Singhal became professor of research for patient benefit. Already, the childhood nutrition for his ground-breaking Institute has led the way in establishing research into the factors that affect early Child Health as a key theme within UCL’s childhood nutrition and their implications Academic Health Sciences Partnership for adult health and disease. Atul has (AHSP). During 2009, we will participate identified particularly rapid growth in in a UCL bid to the Department of Health newborn babies as a powerful risk factor for national AHSP status. Through the for later cardiovascular disease, a finding Institute’s excellent 2008 RAE performance, with far-reaching public health implications. and the ever more widespread involvement Dr John Achermann became reader in of the ICH and GOSH in research paediatric endocrinology for work on the collaboration, we hope to maintain and genetic basis of endocrine disorders, extend our position as the UK’s leading particularly affecting the testes and adrenal centre for excellence in child health. gland. Dr Elina Hypponen became reader in paediatric epidemiology for life-course and genetic epidemiological investigations of the relationship between diabetes, growth and vitamin D. Dr Rod Scott became reader in paediatric neuroscience Andrew Copp for research in childhood epilepsy, with Director a landmark study on the incidence and The UCL Institute of Child Health management of status epilepticus. Dr Jane Sowden became reader in developmental biology for ground-breaking research to identify stem cells capable of repairing the damaged retina.

Jayandra is 11 and has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Ongoing research is constantly improving the prospects for children with this condition. Overview Research Review 2008 07 Chief executive’s report This year’s review, as always, demonstrates the value of the research carried out across Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH). This important work has benefits not only for patients at GOSH but also for many other children nationally and internationally.

As hoped, we have started to adapt to in adult research and vice versa, allowing the new NHS research funding streams us at GOSH to offer the most up-to-date to make sure high quality research treatment and care for children. Research continues in our two organisations. must also help us find better ways of This process has been greatly facilitated caring, not just diagnosing and treating. by the support of the special trustees of This is what has inspired us to play a part Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s in creating a new partnership called UCL Charity. The move from infrastructure Partners, an Academic Health Science support in the form of Culyer money Centre (AHSC). to the new NHS research funding has been more difficult for the hospital At GOSH/ICH, we concentrate on services, but that is another story. research into children’s diseases and problems (from the prenatal period and Everyone is rightly delighted by the throughout childhood) but some of the fantastic results achieved in the Research children we look after will have problems Assessment Exercise. This is one measure throughout their adult life. Health in of what is being achieved by researchers childhood is an important determinant working from bench to bedside. In order of adult health, so we should also be to ensure that children can benefit from contributing to research into the impact research findings as quickly as possible, of prenatal and childhood events on we recognised the need to have dedicated adults. To do this we must work across space in the hospital for a clinical research UCL and its affiliated hospitals. There facility, rather than making use of clinical are good examples of where this is space whenever it was available. A very already happening but the formation generous donation from Mrs Phyllis of UCL Partners will make it easier. Somers and the Friends of the Children of Great Ormond Street has made this a AHSCs have to be accredited and, as I reality and the Somers Clinical Research write, UCL Partners is going through this Facility has recently opened. process. I would like to thank Professor David Goldblatt, director of research and Another way we can maximise our ability development, and Ms Jo Southern, head to undertake high quality research is to of the research and development office, collaborate with researchers and clinicians for all the work they have done on this. doing similar work within UCL and beyond, Next year I hope to be able to describe in areas of adult research, for example. some real benefits for children from the Researchers can gain from developments formation of UCL Partners.

Jane Collins Chief executive Great Ormond Street Hospital

Ella is three and is doing some colouring-in whilst waiting for an X-ray for her kidney condition. Overview Research Review 2008 09 Research and development report This has been a year of building capacity, which is fundamental to us maintaining our position as global leaders in children’s health research.

During 2008 we saw the opening of the by the Department of Health through brand new Somers Clinical Research the National Institute for Health Facility at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Research (NIHR). built with the support of a generous donation from Mrs Phyllis Somers. The In a further move to consolidate child facility, occupying space in the Frontage health research across UCL-associated Building where previously outpatients were trusts, relationships between the trusts seen, provides bespoke research space and UCL are to be formalised through with eight flexible-use private rooms, a fully the formation of an Academic Health equipped laboratory, a large meeting/ Sciences Partnership, endorsed by the seminar room, an attractive waiting area Department of Health. UCL Partners, which with activities for children including an includes UCL Institute of Child Health, the interactive sound wall and accommodation Institute of Ophthalmology and the three for a full complement of research staff. associated hospitals (GOSH, University College London Hospitals and Moorfields) The Somers Clinical Research Facility is in the process of adopting the key has the capacity to support many themes that will form the initial research, different types of research studies, from clinical and education/training platforms questionnaire-based studies through to for the partnership. Child health is likely to ‘first in man’ evaluation of new therapeutics. form an important component of the new The dedicated team of research staff offer partnership and we look forward to closer support to researchers in the logistics working with our partners that will add involved in setting up and running projects, value to the excellent research already as well as delivering excellent clinical conducted at GOSH/ICH. It is envisaged care to patients enrolled in studies. It that the formation of UCL Partners will is our hope that this facility will continue enhance collaborations between partners to develop its role within the hospital, and maximise outputs. allowing us to undertake studies that may not otherwise have been possible, Some of the many GOSH/ICH research and to enhance our research capacity successes are highlighted in this 2008 in collaborating with other NHS edition of the Research Review. The impact organisations, universities and industry. of our work on the lives of children and the care of future generations is implicit, but we The Biomedical Research Centre would especially like to thank the children (BRC), funded by the National Institute who have agreed to tell their stories in of Health Research, is the only BRC this report. focused exclusively on children’s research in the UK. During this past year we have consolidated important links with other BRCs within University College London (UCL), those based at UCL Hospital NHS Professor David Goldblatt Trust and Moorfields Eye Hospital/Institute Director of clinical research of Ophthalmology. The three BRCs have and development combined to provide joint financial support to a number of collaborative projects from the three organisations following an open competition for funds. These projects, as Khalid is five years old and is being treated for combined well as other work in the BRC, underpin Ms Jo Southern immune deficiency, care that he the translational research encouraged Head of research and development office can’t get at home in Saudi Arabia. Overview Research Review 2008 11 For sick children and their families, research can make the impossible possible and provide hope of a healthy life.

Odysseus is eight months old and was born with intestinal failure. He has a twin sister at home who is waiting for him to get better. Tackling cystic fibrosis in the crucial early years Dr Colin Wallis is pioneering new ways to ensure children with cystic fibrosis stay healthy throughout childhood, by beginning treatment early in the natural history of the disorder before symptoms take hold. He works jointly with the Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and the Portex Anaesthesia Unit at the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH).

Dr Colin Wallis The UK Newborn Screening Programme By placing the patient at the heart of I first encountered children Centre, a collaboration between GOSH, their research efforts, Dr Wallis and his with cystic fibrosis as a paediatric ICH and the University of London’s Institute team have devised a series of innovative registrar. I was always impressed of Education, has led a national screening tools to measure the health of a child’s with their courage to live life to programme for cystic fibrosis. As a result, lungs. One such innovation gives children the full, in spite of severe disease. all children inheriting this genetic disorder an incentive to blow into a spirometer At that time, nearly 30 years ago, can now be monitored from shortly after (a piece of equipment that measures lung cystic fibrosis was considered birth. However, despite such advances in function) by linking its output to a video a lethal disease in childhood. diagnosis, there remains no cure for cystic game of a ball rolling down a bowling alley. fibrosis, which includes progressive decline “Until now, it’s been hard to get children There is still no cure but current in lung function as one of a number of under six years old to co-operate with a therapies have changed the life-limiting symptoms. lung function test,” remarks Dr Wallis. outcomes significantly and now “Hook the test up to a tenpin bowling many children with cystic fibrosis Halting the inevitable deterioration in lung game, however, and it’s hard to get live into adulthood – although function of patients with cystic fibrosis is them to stop!” not without considerable effort essential if these children are to grow up and dedication to arduous to lead productive adult lives. Dr Wallis By combining this test with other treatment programmes. Recent and his colleagues have established the surveillance methods that are simple to evidence indicates that to improve London Cystic Fibrosis Collaboration perform, acceptable to the child and family, the outcome for cystic fibrosis (LCFC), a unique venture which pools and reliable in the measurements they further, we have to intervene early. expertise and patients from several leading provide, Dr Wallis hopes to precipitate a treatment centres in Greater London. shift in the treatment of screened children Working with the Cystic being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Great Fibrosis Team at Great Ormond “Historically, one of the biggest challenges Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity Street Hospital and meeting the we’ve faced when treating cystic fibrosis is funding a programme of research that physiologists at the ICH’s Portex has been our ability to gather reliable, will quantify the benefit of interventions Unit (Respiratory Medicine) long-term information on the wellbeing to tackle cystic fibrosis early, at a point prompted our research to find of the children we see,” says Dr Wallis. before children begin to show signs the best techniques to detect “The LCFC has enabled us to monitor of deterioration. Joseph’s story early changes in the health large numbers of children continuously by his parents Stephen and Kerry of these children. I hope the and in detail over the last nine years. Dr Wallis stresses the importance of “In December 2007 we were blessed “The staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital breakthroughs we make now It has provided us with a unique patient coupling this early treatment with accurate with our first child Joseph, and to us he were very supportive. They helped us to will benefit children with cystic resource in terms of the research we can surveillance techniques: “We need to was and always will be the most perfect integrate his medicinal requirements into fibrosis for generations to come. carry out in the future, and we’ve built up be able to pick up the differences our little boy. After all the neonatal tests in our routine in stages, so we were not too strong relationships with individual children treatments are making before the disease hospital came back clear, we happily took overwhelmed. They were also very positive and their families. There’s a real sense takes hold. Waiting for these children our little boy home. So it was a devastating about Joseph’s future. They told us that of mutual trust and engagement in the to become unwell is waiting too long.” shock to discover five weeks later that having him diagnosed so early through work we’re doing.” Joseph had cystic fibrosis. Not only was newborn screening meant he would be it difficult to comprehend that he had a on preventative treatment and had a life-threatening disease but also the fact good chance of living a healthy and that it was us, his parents, who had given active life, and that we’d need to think him the illness. about Joseph’s retirement.

“We felt like we had woken up in another “A year later, Joseph is a healthy, gorgeous, life and were not sure how to live in it. happy little boy who is an inspiration to us and a delight to all who are lucky enough to meet him.”

14 Research Review 2008 Research Research Research Review 2008 15 Prenatal testing with peace of mind Risks to the unborn child associated with prenatal testing could be eradicated through a national study being led by Dr Lyn Chitty. A geneticist and specialist in fetal medicine, Dr Chitty works jointly between the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Lyn Chitty Every year around 650,000 women are Crucial to Dr Chitty’s plans to develop I trained initially as a scientist screened during pregnancy to assess these safer tests has been the recent before doing a PhD in the Chest the health of their baby. In most cases, award of a £2 million programme grant Unit at King’s College Hospital techniques such as ultrasound imaging from the National Institute for Health in London. I studied medicine allow doctors to examine the developing Research (NIHR). This grant will fund at King’s while completing my fetus non-invasively. However, if the baby a UK-wide collaborative study, and the PhD and it was there I was might be born with a genetic disease, results have the potential to transform inspired to specialise in doctors may need to perform more the way prenatal testing is carried out obstetrics. I was first exposed conclusive tests on samples of fetal tissue, across the country. to clinical genetics during my taken using a needle, from inside the elective year preparing for womb. The results of such tests show Because the test involves nothing more my Membership of the Royal whether or not the disease is present. than giving a blood sample, it eliminates College of Gynaecologists any risk of miscarriage. Dr Chitty explains, (MRCOG) exam. The team at More than 30,000 women have these “this study will evaluate these new Great Ormond Street Hospital invasive tests each year in the UK. techniques in a large population. We persuaded me that because However, the procedures currently hope we can develop the standards geneticists were rarely trained used to extract the sample of fetal tissue needed to diagnose a number of genetic in obstetrics, and obstetricians carry a small, yet significant, risk of disorders such as cystic fibrosis, as well had little experience in genetics, miscarriage. Dr Chitty and her colleagues as Down’s syndrome and certain sex-linked there was a hole which I should hope to eliminate this risk by using some conditions. We will also be looking carefully try to fill. From there on, I of the latest genetic techniques to measure at what parents want and need to know, trained jointly in fetal medicine tiny quantities of the baby’s DNA that are how to educate health professionals and and genetics. present in the mother’s blood. how these tests should be offered to women. There’s huge potential here to I’m privileged to be actively “Developing tests that can reliably detect reassure expectant mothers that their involved in the evolution genetic diseases in the unborn child, all child will be born healthy.” of prenatal diagnosis as we from a small sample of maternal blood, develop ever safer and more has been a huge challenge for the field Looking ahead, Dr Chitty plans to sophisticated techniques for of obstetrics,” Dr Chitty says. “We’ve been extend the range of conditions that can detecting childhood disease working closely with SAFE (the Special be detected with a genetic test. Great before birth. My motivation Non-Invasive Advances in Fetal and Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity lies in working closely with Neonatal Evaluation Network), a pan- has funded a three-year study to identify colleagues in many disciplines European network of centres of excellence potential genetic causes of childhood so that we can offer families the performing research into prenatal testing. diseases for which there are currently highest possible standard of care We’re now in a unique position to see no medical explanations. “We’re still a and the support they need at a whether this technology can be applied long way from understanding what makes very difficult time in their lives. for the benefit of babies and parents so many newborn children ill,” Dr Chitty across the UK.” says. “Ultimately, we want to offer a 100 per cent safe way of detecting inherited diseases so that, wherever possible, we can start therapy before the child is born.”

Dr Chitty at work in the Fetal Medicine Unit examining the face of an unborn baby. Research Research Review 2008 17 Biological mass spectrometry The biological mass spectrometry facility at theUCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) contains state-of-the-art analytical equipment that allows researchers to identify potential markers of disease and develop tests for early diagnosis and screening. Lecturer Dr Kevin Mills runs the ICH Biological Mass Spectrometry Centre.

Dr Kevin Mills The value of the Biological Mass Because of the late onset of symptoms Sara’s story It is an intensely rewarding Spectrometry Centre lies in the incredible in this disease, the condition often remains by her mum Shahida role working on the frontline diversity of the research that the facility undiagnosed until irreversible damage to “My daughter, Sara, was born nine weeks where research and the NHS supports. Current projects range from kidneys and blood vessels has already premature, weighing less than 2kg, but meet, often as the last hope developing new prenatal tests for Down’s occurred. Undiagnosed or untreated, most she was sent home as she was healthy and of a diagnosis or treatment. syndrome, fetal kidney disease and Fabry patients currently do not survive beyond drinking her milk properly. However, the This has led me to remain disease, to new techniques to understand their 40s. “By measuring the build-up of midwife noticed Sara’s weight was decreasing, at the ICH since 1992. and treat diabetes and epilepsy, as well CTH, the screening test allows us to so we took her back to the hospital, where as ground-breaking research into neural diagnose Fabry disease earlier, as well she began to have breathing problems. She I came here after graduating tube defects, eczema and rare genetic as to monitor the benefit of the treatment was put onto a ventilation machine and from Cardiff University, metabolic diseases. we’re giving,” Dr Mills says. “This ultimately doctors said she might not survive. where I studied chemistry and translates into better survival prospects biochemistry, and after a stint Dr Mills explains that mass spectrometers and quality of life for our patients.” “Following a blood transfusion and a working in the biotechnology are essentially weighing machines for three-week stay at local hospitals, we were industry. I applied for a research atoms and molecules: “The power is in Recently, the centre has acquired a referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital assistant position in the mass the machine’s extreme sensitivity and new type of mass spectrometer that (GOSH). By this time she had lost a kidney spectrometry laboratory of specificity,” he says. “Mass spectrometry enables researchers to detect and and tests at GOSH found it was due to a Professor Peter Clayton at the is unrivalled in its ability to identify and identify proteins from tissue sections, blood clot. Doctors also diagnosed her ICH and never looked back. quantify biological molecules in very without the need for prior extensive with a rare skin condition known as small samples. Our portfolio of mass laboratory preparation. In collaboration Netherton’s syndrome. We develop new methods spectrometers allows researchers with Professors John Harper and Robin to diagnose disease and our and clinicians at the ICH to detect and Callard, researcher Ms Kate Bennett has “After three months Sara returned home methods have been translated measure a single disease-causing agent, been using this new technology to and was pretty stable, only visiting GOSH into clinical procedures in or a protein in a soup of millions of other study eczema and Netherton’s for regular check-ups. But she was tube-fed chemical pathology departments molecules; the medical equivalent of syndrome, a severe skin disease. until she was about two years old and at Great Ormond Street finding a needle in a haystack.” tended to throw up anything she took in. Hospital and worldwide. “Because of defects in the skin barrier, The feeding tube also meant she was often The continual investment and Because it is so sensitive, the mass patients with eczema and Netherton’s bed bound and so her development was support in mass spectrometry spectrometer can diagnose diseases are at high risk of skin infection and slow. After the tube was removed Sara at the ICH has resulted in before symptoms become apparent in inflammation,” Ms Bennett explains. needed additional supplements to help our laboratories being some patients. This allows treatment to begin “Using this technology we’ve identified her gain weight. She had little hair growth of the best equipped in Europe, as early as possible, before the disease a protein that interacts with LEKTI, a until she was about four, when she was also allowing us to become world takes hold. One example of a method molecule which controls the natural found to have weak eyesight. This has now leaders in genetic metabolic developed by Dr Mills’ group is a screening process of skin cell shedding. The benefit become even weaker, but her hair is now disease research, which test for Fabry disease. This inherited of the new spectrometer is that we can much stronger and doesn’t fall out so much. ultimately benefits the patients. condition prevents the body from breaking test skin just using cells scraped from down a naturally occurring metabolite the forearm, rather than from a biopsy, “Sara’s skin condition has been up and down (a molecule called CTH). Its build-up to see which other proteins interact with ever since her diagnosis. When it’s good, it’s eventually becomes toxic, causing damage LEKTI. Knowing this brings us a step really good – she eats, laughs and plays like her to the blood vessel walls and kidneys. closer to knowing what the underlying brothers and sisters – but when it’s bad, she cause of eczema and Netherton’s might doesn’t like eating or drinking and her skin be – and closer to a life-changing becomes so sore that even walking is painful. treatment for these patients.” “Sara’s now 11 years old and even though she is small for her age, she has a big heart and takes every day as it comes. Her doctors, Dr Harper and Dr Saeed, are always there whenever help or advice is needed and she’s met some amazing people at GOSH.” 18 Research Review 2008 Research Personalised heart valve treatment Using the latest advances in cardiac imaging and computer modelling, Dr Andrew Taylor and his colleagues are developing a new generation of implants for children with faulty heart valves, potentially removing the need for open-heart surgery for thousands of patients every year.

Dr Andrew Taylor Ongoing collaboration between the Furthering this success, Dr Taylor has I was inspired to do cardiac Cardiac and Imaging Teams at Great developed a tool that lets cardiologists imaging by Dr Jane Somerville Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has and surgeons physically examine the at the Brompton Hospital over led to a worldwide programme, pioneered structure of a patient’s heart and plan 10 years ago. The challenge by Professor Philipp Bonhoeffer, for their approach without the patient having was to use magnetic resonance replacing faulty heart valves without the to enter an operating theatre. The tool imaging (MRI) to diagnose, need for open heart surgery. Hundreds combines detailed magnetic resonance characterise and define the of patients have already benefitted from images of the heart with a technology treatment of children and this innovative procedure; however, the called rapid prototyping. “The result is young adults with congenital implants currently used to deliver the a detailed 3D photocopy of the patient’s heart disease. replacement valve can only be used heart vessels,” says Dr Taylor. “We’ve in a small proportion of cases. demonstrated that having this realistic I’ve sought to develop this physical representation of the patient’s work throughout my career, in “Less than 15 per cent of the patients anatomy really helps the cardiologists particular with the innovative we see who need valve replacements and surgeons to make better decisions research I now carry out at Great are able to undergo the non-surgical about the operation. They’re very tactile Ormond Street Hospital and procedure,” says Dr Taylor. “The reason people, after all.” the UCL Institute of Child is that everyone’s heart is unique. Our Health in collaboration with the implant, though life-saving, was never With the help of colleagues such as cardiology team. Our challenge designed to be a one-size-fits-all.” Silvia Schievano, and support from Great is to ensure that new devices Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, for treating heart disease are The challenge for Dr Taylor and his Dr Taylor plans to develop a raft of implants introduced as safely and quickly team has been to find a way to develop that could prevent up to 10,000 patients as possible, so that patients implants for a wider range of patients, a year from having to undergo open-heart can benefit from these new while ensuring optimal safety and reliability. surgery. For the first time, a new dual- technologies. “Advances in computer modelling mean source computerised tomography (CT) we can now design and test patient- scanner will allow researchers to look at My two most notable specific implants in a virtual environment,” how the valve implants perform in patients achievements since being explains Dr Taylor. “This helps us to post-operatively. Dr Taylor is excited about appointed to the ICH have understand how well the implant will this pioneering step into the unknown. been my appointment as the perform across a variety of anatomical “The new CT scanner really closes the Royal College of Radiologists’ settings. Feeding back this information loop on our work. Gathering information Roentgen Professor for 2006, lets us constantly refine our designs, on how these implants are working within and most importantly, maximising our chances of success when the patients themselves will provide us with establishing the Centre for we carry out the procedure in patients.” an exceptionally detailed picture of what’s Cardiovascular Magnetic going on. Every patient is different, and Resonance Imaging at GOSH. we’re taking huge steps to make sure I am proud to run this unit the treatment they receive is tailored and am fortunate to work precisely to their needs.” with a great team.

A 3D plastic photocopy, created from scans of a patient’s heart, gives surgeons a chance to examine an exact replica of the heart’s anatomy prior to surgery. Research Research Review 2008 21 Understanding and preventing sudden infant death Dr Neil Sebire and colleagues hope to revolutionise childhood autopsies by bringing some of the latest imaging and diagnostic techniques to the world-class tissue testing department at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). One of their overarching ambitions is to apply this research to understand and help prevent sudden unexplained deaths in infants.

Dr Neil Sebire GOSH’s tissue testing department is “Not identifying a definite cause of As a paediatric pathologist, the largest of its kind in the UK, receiving death isn’t the same as saying there’s no I work with tissue samples more than 4,500 specialist requests reason for a child’s death – it just means taken from across the spectrum to analyse specimens every year. The we have to develop new ways of figuring of childhood disease, in work, supported by Great Ormond Street out what’s happened,” says Dr Sebire. order to make diagnoses and, Hospital Children’s Charity, investigates “Given this, we hoped some of the families from a research perspective, how cells and tissues behave, important of children who died unexpectedly would understand the symptoms for a wide range of research studies. share our vision for research to improve and processes of disease itself. The department also investigates the autopsies. What inspired us was the cause of death of several hundred families’ overwhelming support. Of the I first became interested in infants each year. initial group of parents we approached, figuring out what happens in almost all agreed to take part in the study, diseased tissue while doing my “Tragically, around one in every 500 and all of the parents we spoke to felt that MD on complications of twin apparently healthy children will die learning more about the autopsy process pregnancies at King’s College unexpectedly in infancy,” says Dr Sebire. helped them cope with the sudden and Hospital. During this time “Currently, we’re only able to determine untimely loss of their child.” I became fascinated by the a cause of death in less than half of mechanisms of disease, and these cases via a detailed specialist Initial successes in the MRI study are this prompted me to re-train autopsy. Understandably, this can be a encouraging for future phases of the in general and paediatric devastating time for children’s families.” research. Dr Sebire’s long-term vision pathology – quite a journey is to offer the world’s first ever keyhole from my initial specialty of Until now, medical advances have been autopsy service, minimising the need for obstetrics and gynaecology! adopted slowly. “Childhood autopsy a traditional autopsy, by using non-invasive is undoubtedly a very difficult field to imaging to target tissue biopsies via a It is a privilege to work as approach as a researcher,” admitted tiny incision. Looking ahead, Dr Sebire part of a number of talented Dr Sebire. “But this shouldn’t stop us is confident that this will provide sufficient research teams throughout from striving to do things better.” tissue for a full range of modern diagnostic Great Ormond Street Hospital tests. “We’re paving the way for a whole and the UCL Institute of Child Dr Sebire’s latest research looks into new area of research,” he says. “I’m Health, and to contribute to the developing new laboratory techniques confident that our work will allow us to wider understanding of how for investigating deaths, particularly for find a cause of death in more cases, disease develops. Our current detecting infection, and the feasibility of but in a less invasive way. Understanding research into the causes of using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) the mechanism behind every childhood unexpected infant deaths will to provide detailed anatomical information death is crucial if we are to prevent hopefully reduce future cases at autopsy without an invasive post-mortem unnecessary loss of life.” and allow us to provide the same examination. This forms the first phase level of diagnostic expertise to of a large study at GOSH, supported by all children, even those who the Department of Health and led by Dr may die. Andrew Taylor. A major hurdle was to overcome established perceptions that recently bereaved parents would not want to be involved in this work.

Sections of tissue are stained and mounted on glass slides before being examined under a microscope to help further research into the causes of childhood diseases. Research Research Review 2008 23 Making inclusive education for autistic children a success The transition from primary to secondary school can be a particularly challenging and unsettling time for children with autism. Professor David Skuse and Ms Marianna Murin’s research aims to ensure these children are offered the support they need at school to develop to their full potential.

Professor David Skuse Improvements in recognising autism To address these issues, Professor Skuse, Scarlet’s story I first started to work with have led to higher estimates than Ms Murin and their team are leading an by her dad Alan autistic children about 30 years previously thought in the number of ambitious research project, funded by “ My wife had suspected Scarlet might have ago, in the country’s pioneering children affected by this spectrum of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s some form of autism from a very early age, centre for autism research at social and communication disorders. Charity. They plan to use the unique store certainly before she started school, but I the Maudsley Hospital. At However, large numbers of autistic children of patient information gathered at the admit to having been very sceptical. Her that time, the condition was with normal intelligence (high functioning national centre over the past 10 years infants’ school teachers certainly hadn’t considered to be closely (if autism) grow up without early diagnosis to follow up previously identified autistic picked anything up. not invariably) associated or formal treatment and often fail to adapt children into adolescence. Their hope with mental retardation. psychologically to life at mainstream is to define warning signs that identify “After years of failing to understand why secondary schools, despite a policy children at particularly high risk as they she just wasn’t like other kids, and watching Since then, both my research of inclusive education. move between schools. In parallel, they her become increasingly isolated from her and my clinical experience will develop and evaluate a package of peers and falling further behind in school, have shown that many Professor Skuse manages the UK’s intervention strategies: a transition pack, our local paediatricians referred her to affected children have normal National Centre for High Functioning that teachers and learning support Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). intelligence. I became interested Autism, based at Great Ormond Street assistants can use in school to help I had always thought that GOSH dealt in developing better ways of Hospital (GOSH). He felt a major issue in autistic children in their new environment. only with children who had life-threatening identifying these children – treating high functioning autism was a lack illnesses, and not those with conditions the more closely I studied them, of awareness of the ways in which it could Playing a key role in the success of this which threaten their quality of life. the more concerned I became affect a child’s development. “Current NHS research will be the strong ties that the that their needs were often not guidelines for managing autism tend to centre has with community-based child “ The consultants in the Department of managed well in psychiatric or focus on pre-school children, or those with and adolescent mental health services. Child and Adolescent Mental Health educational terms. By the time more obvious symptoms, such as severe This network of collaborating centres undertook a wide-ranging and thorough they reach adolescence, such cognitive impairments. But nearly all the can draw on a wide variety of consultants, analysis of Scarlet and concluded that children are likely to develop autistic children we see at GOSH have a speech therapists and special needs she is a highly intelligent child who has a host of complications as a normal IQ, and their condition is usually co-ordinators. “No one has targeted a combination of Asperger’s syndrome, consequence of everyday not recognised until they are at school.” this particular group of children before,” attention deficient hyperactivity disorder frustrations. says Professor Skuse. “The partnerships and Tourette’s syndrome. Her natural Problems often escalate at the point we’ve built up with other mental health intelligence had in fact allowed some In my clinical and research when children are due to make the units over the years will ensure we can of her symptoms to be masked. work, I’m hoping to find ways transition from primary to secondary tailor the outputs of our research to the of identifying these children at school. “The increased social complexity needs of those most affected by autism. “ This diagnosis has helped Scarlet to an earlier age and making sure and change in physical surroundings We can reduce school exclusions, prevent begin to understand and accept why she they achieve everything they of secondary school demands a huge secondary mental health disorders, is different from her classmates, and has are capable of at school. adjustment from any child,” Ms Murin and enable children to achieve their full empowered us and given us the confidence explains. “Many autistic children are academic potential. I’m confident that to seek the long-term help needed for her desperate to form new social relationships, with a solid, evidence-based programme future development. but struggle to interact with their peers. of support, these children could go on The consequences may be bullying, or to do fantastic things.” “ It is apparent to us that without GOSH’s overly withdrawn or aggressive classroom clear conclusions and ongoing support, we behaviour. At worst, serious secondary would have continued to be directionless in mental health problems develop, including our quest for Scarlet to benefit effectively anxiety, depression and self-harm. from the education system and ultimately Non-specialist services tend to focus to lead an independent life. on these secondary manifestations of autism, but do not recognise their “ Thank you Great Ormond Street Hospital.” root cause.”

24 Research Review 2008 Research Gene microarrays Dr Mike Hubank works in the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) Microarray Centre, which uses mathematical modelling of genes to develop a holistic understanding of a patient’s condition and treatment.

Dr Mike Hubank Microarray technology allows researchers Further to this work was the establishment Living organisms are to measure the activity of thousands of in July 2008 of UCL Genomics – bringing complicated things, so I have genes or proteins at a time. Researchers together University College London’s never been satisfied with a can then keep track of the biological (UCL) three main microarray facilities, purely reductionist approach connections the genes or proteins are including the ICH Microarray Centre, to biological and medical making by using a mathematical formula UCL’s facility in the Division of Infection problems. I was frustrated to model their activity. Using this model, and Immunity, and the Wolfson Institute that the huge quantities of for example, it is possible to calculate Scientific Support Services facility. data generated by our new a patient’s response to certain drugs. The unit works with cancer, immunology genomics technologies were “If we have a better understanding of and cardiology services and scientists mostly going to waste. Then, a patient’s gene activity when a drug is involved in patient-based research. a chance visit from two administered, we may be able to target colleagues, Professor Robin those biological pathways that will “We’ve established several platform Callard (Immunobiology avoid, say, drug resistance,” Dr Hubank technologies that allow complex analysis, at ICH) and Professor Jaroslav explains. “Ultimately, this allows us to expression profiling and chromosomal Stark (then in Mathematics make medicines more personalised.” studies,” says Dr Hubank. “The aim is at UCL) changed all that. to retain knowledge and technology, Dr Hubank is enthusiastic about the focus resources on areas of expertise, They were looking for huge potential for gene expression and and then make it available to the wider quantities of data so they protein analyses to inform a huge array UCL community. The technology and could try out some interesting of disciplines. “You can look at all the robotics cost a lot of money so by having mathematical techniques. data and begin to understand what one unit there’s far less duplication. The result was a successful biological factors are controlling what There are also dedicated people who grant application to the processes,” he says. “Researchers are are employed to use the technology Biotechnology and Biological now being encouraged to look at the and analyse data. We want to build on Sciences Research Council, bigger molecular picture, rather than our expertise and create a core of and an exciting new direction a few discrete genes or proteins.” technological and analytical genomics, for me. so that knowledge and skills are not Dr Hubank collaborates with several lost if a researcher leaves.” Now I am focused on of Great Ormond Street Hospital’s connecting advanced genomic (GOSH) clinical scientists. “We have The unit’s services are offered on technologies and mathematical recently been awarded a grant with a cost recovery basis, and include approaches to provide Dr Perry Elliot, Dr Petros Syrris and genotyping, analysis of profile disease meaningful descriptions of Professor William McKenna to sequence genes and DNA sequencing. “We can complex biological systems the genes of children with hypertrophic help design the best experiments to – it’s a lot of fun! cardiomyopathy,” he says. Another produce the most meaningful data, collaboration with Professor Adrian and ensure these data are of the Thrasher and Dr Steve Howe enabled highest quality,” Dr Hubank says. Dr Hubank to identify mutations that led to leukaemia developing in a patient who had successful gene therapy. “There are many other exciting projects under way where these state-of-the-art Researchers can carry out nearly approaches will help identify the causes two million genetic tests on a single of disease in children and contribute to microarray chip no bigger than a their successful treatment,” he says. thumbnail. Each test appears as a microscopic spot of light, giving researchers information on which genes could be responsible for causing a patient’s condition. Research Research Review 2008 27 Children’s medicines Shaping national drug guidelines and improving the safety and quality of medicines prescribed to children is the focus of Professor Ian Wong’s research activities.

Professor Ian Wong Professor Wong is director of the Centre “Many adolescents with ADHD experience About nine years ago I read an for Paediatric Pharmacy Research, which significant problems at the point that they article in the Pharmaceutical since its inception five years ago, has are discharged from paediatric care,” Journal about drug companies brought together the School of Pharmacy, Professor Wong says. “Yet there were not investing in medicines for the UCL Institute of Child Health and Great no clear guidelines for treating ADHD in children. I thought we could Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The adolescents. There was an urgent need do better than that and so six centre’s research focuses on prescribing to evaluate this formally, which is why we years ago I made the change and administering drugs to children and set up the CADDY study [Cessation of to paediatric pharmacy and young people. A number of its projects Attention deficit hyperactivity Disorder took the job that I have today. have already made a national impact. Drugs in the Young].”

Two people have inspired me The first study, CHAPTER (Children and Results of the CADDY study showed during my career: the School Adolescents Psychotropic medication that a significant number of adolescents of Pharmacy ex-dean Professor Therapy Evaluation Research), investigated with ADHD might have had their medication Alexander Florence, and the use of medications in more than terminated inappropriately. These findings children’s health czar, Professor 500,000 children and adolescents in were used by Professor Wong in Al Aynsley-Green. They both general practice, such as antidepressants collaboration with the National Institute recognised the importance and drugs for treating mental illness. for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). of paediatric pharmacy and “We saw a significant increase over the “The CADDY and CHAPTER research supported the establishment past 10 years in the prescribing of these results have supported further work with and advancement of the medications in the UK and Europe. NICE to develop guidelines for diagnosing Centre for Paediatric This is somewhat concerning given and treating ADHD,” he says. “The recently Pharmacy Research. the relative lack of information on the published guideline will improve the care long-term effects of prescribing these and management of adults and children The centre, where I’m director, medicines to children,” says Professor with ADHD across the UK.” works with the UCL Institute Wong. The results were presented to of Child Health and Great members of the UK and European Ormond Street Hospital. parliaments. The set-up is ideal as ICH has the clinical research expertise Building on CHAPTER, Professor Wong and the hospital’s wonderful convened a specialist research group at clinical environment provides the National Institute for Health Research, the patients. We all work to develop research proposals to assess together to improve the the long-term effects of prescribing drugs quality and safety of to children with mental health disorders. medicines for children. One of the most recent projects considers medications used in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Understanding the national impact of prescribing drugs for children is leading to better guidelines to improve paediatric healthcare across the UK. Research Research Review 2008 29 Stem cell treatments for gut disorders Gastroenterologist and clinician scientist Dr Nikhil Thapar is pioneering a new stem cell treatment to improve the lives of patients with life-threatening gut disorders.

Dr Nikhil Thapar A relatively common gut disorder is The critical question is how best to deliver Toby’s story Challenges in medicine are Hirschsprung’s disease, where regions the stem cells to the diseased area of by his mum Lesley of the gut have no nerves. Patients with fascinating, mostly because they gut that needs repair. This research was “Our son Toby was born with Hirschsprung’s “The Gastroenterology Team explained the disease are often very unwell and can be overcome, albeit with a recently awarded major grant funding from disease and after the trauma and heartache that surgery for Hirschsprung’s was without treatment can die. Although bit of lateral thinking, a lot of the Medical Research Council to move of three operations at Great Ormond Street often not the complete solution and this surgical techniques to remove diseased hard work and a dose of good the project into pre-clinical trials. It is Hospital (GOSH) he finally came home situation was common. Although this sections of the gut and advances in luck! One of the main challenges hoped that such therapies will eliminate the with no bag on his tummy. However, was disappointing, we were relieved to artificial feeding have led to improved in paediatric gastroenterology need for surgery to remove sections of the the next four years were a rollercoaster find reasons for his ongoing symptoms. patient survival, there remain significant is the management of children bowel and improve long-term prognosis. of emotions. The doctors’ understanding of why this post-operative complications, including suffering incurable nerve and was happening meant that some treatment incontinence and a reduced quality of muscle disorders of the gut. If successful in Hirschsprung’s disease, “Toby had frequent bouts of pain, sickness, was possible. Toby was put on tube life. Current surgical treatment is not Dr Thapar is confident a number of other bloating and acute diarrhoea. Sometimes feeding, a range of medicines were tried designed to cure but rather to be My approach was to join disorders may be amenable to this therapy, we were changing up to 24 nappies a and finally he was given a permanent palliative, to enable children to survive forces with the clever science such as those resulting in swallowing day. We were told this shouldn’t happen ileostomy. The improvement was dramatic. that has taught us how humans and to limit disease complications. difficulties and incontinence due to anal following successful surgery, which made develop before birth. The ‘lateral sphincter dysfunction. “Healthy gut is a us feel frustrated and desperately worried. “Toby is now 19 and although he still has thinking’ was to explore whether Dr Thapar is investigating the potential very large and readily accessible tissue problems, he is at university, plays sport specialised stem cells exist in the to improve these children’s lives by that may act as a source of many different “Finally, Toby was referred to the GOSH when fit enough (including rugby) and gut and if so whether they could developing new curative treatments. types of stem cells potentially useful for Gastroenterology Team. A series of tests is looking forward to the rest of his life. be used to repair nerve and “Over the years I’ve been looking after diseases that affect any part of the to establish whether or not the nerves We know that, thanks to ongoing research muscle defects. The ‘good luck’ this challenging group of children in the human body,” he says. in his remaining bowel were functioning work at GOSH, it’s likely that his children, was the opportunity to work clinical setting, while also doing research normally showed they were not and were if they have Hirschsprung’s, will avoid (‘hard work’!) with eminent on their condition in the lab,” Dr Thapar Great Ormond Street Hospital and the causing yet more problems. much of the pain he suffered. researchers in the field and to says. His research group have discovered UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) is get my clinician scientist and that stem cells can be isolated from healthy one of the only UK centres dedicated “On behalf of Toby and generations of honorary consultant positions regions of gut tissue and transplanted into to paediatric neurogastroenterology. Hirschsprung’s children yet to come, within the UCL Institute abnormal gut to replenish missing nerves. Dr Thapar explains that a critical factor we thank you GOSH.” of Child Health and Great in making this research possible was a Ormond Street Hospital. This Dr Thapar uses endoscopy, a minimally team of basic scientists at the ICH, led by is a glorious community of invasive procedure, to harvest the nerve Dr Alan Burns, who are world-renowned academics and clinicians that stem cells from the regenerating lining of experts in developmental and molecular share a vision of improving the gut. “Much of our success has come biology of the gut and its nervous system. paediatric care, and of children from using endoscopy, a very common “We have a multidisciplinary research team and parents that tolerantly procedure carried out in our state-of-the- dedicated to improving the care of patients work with them to achieve it. art investigation unit on more than 30 with severe gut disorders, with expertise children every week,” he says. “The from basic science right through to children are mostly investigated as day practical clinical management. Without cases and can often return home within this critical teamwork, the stem cell a couple of hours of the procedure.” research would not be happening.”

30 Research Review 2008 Research Healthcare in China’s poor urban and rural areas Restoring equality to China’s healthcare system is the vision behind Dr Therese Hesketh’s initiative to improve delivery of healthcare to poor people across the country, which launched in December 2008.

Dr Therese Hesketh The project, funded by the Department Working with a number of Chinese After training in paediatrics for International Development, aims to organisations, and with the support of the in the UK in 1986, I went to make China’s healthcare more affordable Chinese government, Dr Hesketh’s project work in Asia. I was based in and efficient by introducing evidence- aims to address these problems in several China, which was just opening based protocols for doctors, improving ways. The first aim is to redirect medical up to the outside world at that access to healthcare and engaging in practice towards evidence-based treatment time. I had planned to be there public education. and management protocols for doctors. To for one year but ended up encourage doctors to participate, bonuses staying for five. With Chinese Dr Hesketh has worked in China for will be paid according to their adherence and American colleagues we the past 22 years. She explains that the to the protocols. In the short term the pioneered neonatal and country used to have an enviable health government will meet the resulting shortfall paediatric intensive care in system that provided basic healthcare in doctors’ pay from not over-prescribing. five major Chinese cities to most of the population. Then, in the and outreach education for early 1980s, economic reform led to The second aim is to engage health paediatricians and paediatric major changes in the way that healthcare insurers to encourage better use of health nurses in 11 provinces. was financed and resulted in the services. Rural and social health insurers disappearance of universal, free basic will pay for limited packages of treatment, After handing the projects healthcare. A fee-for-service system was approved within the scope of the doctors’ over to Chinese counterparts, introduced, leaving many people in the evidence-based protocols, along the lines I returned to the UK to train poorer rural and urban areas unable of the Diagnostic Related Groups that in public health, but kept close to afford even basic treatment. are used in many countries. Health links with China. So, when insurers will also be encouraged to refuse I came to work at the UCL Dr Hesketh believes that the fee-for- reimbursement to patients who self-refer Institute of Child Health in service system has contributed to the to a higher level of care, for example, 1996, I built on my links with decline in the quality of healthcare, with bypassing their local hospital to seek China to develop a number of the financial incentives encouraging inappropriate specialist care. projects in the area of population doctors to over-treat patients with more and reproductive health. These profitable treatments in preference to The third aim relates to public education included studies in adolescent simpler therapy. “There’s a massive through media such as television and health, HIV/AIDS, the health culture of inefficiency and waste,” says newspapers. Through education, the of rural to urban migrants and Dr Hesketh. “Wealthier people flock community will develop an understanding their children and the impacts to specialist centres in the cities for of why these changes are being made of the One Child Policy. minor conditions while rural facilities and how this will affect them. are often underutilised.” The project has been earmarked for 20 Chinese counties, with a population of 15 million, and will be rolled out across five counties at a time. “We have to prove ourselves first,” Dr Hesketh says. “Then we’ll have a good model which we can apply to the rest of the country.”

This Chinese poem is pinned to Dr Hesketh’s noticeboard in her office. It is taught to Chinese school children so that they recognise the hard work of peasants in producing just one grain of rice and therefore appreciate the food they are given. Research Research Review 2008 33 Collaboration is key to our research success: working across disease areas, in state-of-the-art laboratories, partnering with leading clinicians.

Dr Mike Hubank’s lab at the UCL Institute of Child Health. Awards, honours and prizes 2008 Staff from theUCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) received national and international recognition for their research achievements during 2008.

Mr Luis Apolonia received a Bogue Dr Rebecca Chilvers was awarded a Dr Sofia de Noronha was awarded a Dr Mike Grocott was awarded the Research Fellowship to spend 10 weeks PhD for the thesis A story without words: PhD for the thesis Immunological studies Pinkerton Medal of the Association at the Salk Institute, California, USA. investigation of a dominantly inherited of a murine model of Wiskott-Aldrich of Anaesthetists of Great Britain verbal memory disorder in a large family. syndrome (WAS). and Ireland. Mr Yogesh Bajaj was awarded a PhD for the thesis Causes of deafness in Dr Richard Chin was the winner of the Professor Carol Dezateux was appointed Dr Dalia Haroun was awarded a East London Bangladeshi children. 2008 Bupa Foundation Epidemiology to the Medical Research Council (MRC) PhD for the thesis Body composition Award. The award is given for work that Strategy Board and as chair of the Careers in childhood obesity. Dr Torsten Baldeweg was awarded shows excellence in the epidemiological Overview Group. first prize in clinical science at the UCL study of human disease. He received Mrs Summer Hawkins was awarded Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster £10,000 towards continued research work. Dr Marie-Klaire Farrugia was awarded runner-up for biomedical sciences Memory impairment in association with a PhD for the thesis Short-term fetal at the UCL Graduate School poster hippocampal injury in children with Dr Mankin Choy was awarded a PhD bladder outflow obstruction: morphology, competition for the poster Does transposition of the great arteries (TGA) for the thesis MRI investigations of an physiology and in-utero urodynamics in the environment influence obesity in with and without ventricular septal defect. animal model of status epilepticus. the ovine model. pre-school children and their mothers?

Dr Doris-Eva Bamiou was awarded Dr Patricia Cogram was awarded a PhD Professor David Gadian was awarded Dr Ah-Fong Hoo was awarded second a Higher Education Funding Council for the thesis Inositol and protein kinase first prize in clinical science at the UCL prize at the Homerton University Hospital for England/Department of Health C in the prevention of neural tube defects. Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster poster competition for the poster Infants senior lectureship. Memory impairment in association with with recurrent wheeze, lung function and Professor Andrew Copp delivered the hippocampal injury in children with clinical risk factors for asthma. Dr Lorenzo Biassoni spoke at the Casey Holter lecture ‘Genetics and transposition of the great arteries (TGA) 42nd European Society of Paediatric embryology of neural tube defects’ at the with and without ventricular septal defect. Dr Aparna Hoskote was awarded first Nephrology conference in Lyon, France. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society for prize in clinical science at the UCL Dr Biassoni has also been appointed Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Mr Robin Garrett-Cox was awarded a Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster as a member of the Administration of Bifida, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. PhD for the thesis Effects of glutamine Memory impairment in association with Radioactive Substances Advisory Professor Copp was also the Dean’s in neonatal endotoxaemia. hippocampal injury in children with Committee (ARSAC), Department of Distinguished Seminar Speaker at the transposition of the great arteries (TGA) Health on a four-year appointment. University of Colorado, Colorado, USA Professor Ruth Gilbert was appointed to with and without ventricular septal defect. giving the lecture ‘Neural tube defects: the National Institute for Health Research Dr Paul Brogan was awarded a Higher genetics, development and prevention’. (NIHR) Healthcare Associated Infection Dr Stephen Howe was awarded the Bogue Education Funding Council for England/ (HAI) Board. Foundation Travel Fellowship, the British Department of Health clinical senior Dr Roman Cregg was awarded a Society of Gene Therapy (BSGT) Travel lectureship. National Institute for Academic Anaesthesia Mrs Rachael Gregson was awarded Fellowship and the American Society of Research Training Fellowship towards a PhD for the thesis Characterisation Gene Therapy (ASGT) Travel award. Dr Dr Martin Chadwick was awarded completion of his Neuroscience MPhil/ of manual chest physiotherapy and Howe has also been awarded the ASGT first prize in clinical science at the UCL PhD at UCL. respiratory response in mechanically Excellence in Research Award for his Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster ventilated children. abstract entitled Molecular anaylsis of a Memory impairment in association with Dr Michelle de Haan was awarded severe adverse event in the UK SCID-X1 hippocampal injury in children with first prize in clinical science at the UCL Miss Astrida Grigulis was awarded gene therapy clinical trial and the BSGT transposition of the great arteries (TGA) Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster first prize for her poster in the Royal poster prize at the annual meeting in with and without ventricular septal defect. Memory impairment in association with Society of Tropical Medicine and Edinburgh for his poster Combinatorial hippocampal injury in children with Hygiene’s competition for the poster mutations cause leukaemia in a clinical Miss Shun-Kai Chan was runner-up in transposition of the great arteries (TGA) The lives of Malawian nurses: the trial for SCID-X1 gene therapy. biomedical sciences at the UCL Graduate with and without ventricular septal defect. stories behind the statistics. School Poster Competition, for the poster Modeling fetal programming in a dish: from nephrogenesis to cystic kidneys.

36 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 37 Awards, honours and prizes 2008 continued

Dr Patricia Hunter was awarded the prize Dr Kirsty Little was awarded a PhD Dr Bola Olusanya was awarded a PhD for Professor Adrian Thrasher was for best basic science presentation at the for the thesis Measuring the impact the thesis Infant hearing screening models selected by the National Institute for Young Investigators Meeting of the 2008 of public health programmes for for the early detection of permanent Health Research (NIHR) as an NIHR senior Paediatric Rheumatology European HIV-infected pregnant women and their childhood hearing loss in Nigeria. investigator. These are the most prominent Society meeting. children in resource-limited settings: and prestigious researchers funded by estimating mother to child transmission Dr Mark Peters was awarded a Higher the NIHR. Dr Marina Johnson was awarded a PhD and assessing paediatric treatment need. Education Funding Council for England/ for the thesis The role of mannose-binding Department of Health clinical senior Mr Vi Tran was awarded a PhD for the lectin in health and disease. Dr Claire Lye (née Gannon) was lectureship. thesis Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary awarded a PhD for the thesis Teashirts atresia: with special reference to the Dr Larissa Kerecuk was awarded an in the mammalian urinary tract. Dr Paul Riley was one of the two morphology of the bronchial arteries. Amgen Bursary at the Renal Association recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Meeting. Dr Stephen Marks was awarded a Award 2008 from the European Society Professor Faraneh Vargha-Khadem was PhD for the thesis Childhood-onset of Cardiology. awarded first prize in clinical science at the Dr Sachin Khambadkone was awarded lupus nephritis: aetiopathogenesis, UCL Cardiovascular Science Day for the first prize in clinical science at the UCL histopathology and management. Dr Kate Riney was awarded a PhD for poster Memory impairment in association Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster the thesis Improving the detection of with hippocampal injury in children with Memory impairment in association with Dr Clare Munns was awarded a PhD for structural and associated functional brain transposition of the great arteries (TGA) hippocampal injury in children with the thesis Mechanisms and plasticity of abnormality in focal epilepsy of childhood. with and without ventricular septal defect. transposition of the great arteries (TGA) cold sensitivity in peripheral neurons. with and without ventricular septal defect. Miss Emma Scrase was winner of Dr Brigitte Vollmer was awarded a PhD Dr Monica Munoz was awarded first the Best Abstract award at the 2008 for the thesis The neural basis of epilepsy Professor David Latchman was appointed prize in clinical science at the UCL Association for Respiratory Technology and cognitive impairment in children by the Mayor of London as a member of Cardiovascular Science Day for the poster and Physiology conference. born pre-term. the London Skills and Employment Board. Memory impairment in association with Professor Latchman was re-elected as hippocampal injury in children with Miss Harriet Shannon won first prize at Dr Suellen Walker was appointed as chairman of London Higher and was also transposition of the great arteries (TGA) the UCL Institute of Child Health poster a visiting assistant professor in the elected as a councillor of the CBI London with and without ventricular septal defect. competition for the poster Timing of chest Department of Anesthesiology, University Council. Professor Latchman was wall vibrations within the breath cycle. of California, San Diego, USA for six appointed a board member of Dr Elizabeth Neal was awarded a PhD months to conduct a collaborative research London First. for the thesis A randomised controlled trial Dr Joe Standing is the first pharmacist project with Professor Tony Yaksh. of two ketogenic diets in the treatment of to obtain a PhD under the auspices Mr Aidan Laverty was the winner of the childhood epilepsy. of the Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Dr Klaus Werner was awarded a PhD Health Informatics Professional Awards in Research, a collaboration between for the thesis Auditory processing in Information Management and Technology Dr Kiran Nistala was awarded the Young GOSH/ICH and the School of Pharmacy, the syndrome of infantile spasms. (Health) at strategic management level. Investigator Award from the British Society University of London. for Rheumatology (BSR) and presented his Dr Martin Woodward was awarded Professor Catherine Law was awarded work at the plenary of the BSR Scientific Professor Janet Stocks received a a PhD for the thesis Identification of the Royal College of Physicians Milroy Conference. special award from the Association for genes regulating glucocorticoid and Lectureship for 2009. Professor Law’s Respiratory Technology and Physiology antigen-mediated thymocyte apoptosis. lecture will be called ‘Will our children be Mr Pascal Odent was awarded first for advancing ideals and standards of healthy adults?’ Professor Law was also prize in the UCL Institute of Child Health respiratory physiology and measurement appointed programme director of the poster competition for the poster Early practice. National Institute for Health Research breastfeeding practices and survival in (NIHR) Public Health Research Programme. Nepalese infants: does colostrum help?

38 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 39 Grants and donations 2008 The UCL Institute of Child Health continues to receive grants from the following organisations:

A C Enid Linder Foundation J Abbott Laboratories Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood Epilepsy Research Foundation Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Research UK European Molecular Biology Organisation Johns Hopkins University Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd Cathal Hayes Research Foundation European Society for Immunodeficiencies Action Medical Research Centocor Inc European Society for Paediatric K Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust, Cambridge Central Research Fund (University Endocrinology Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund Alcon Laboratories Ltd UK of London) European Union Kellogg Marketing and Sales Company Anatomical Society of Great Britain Cerebra Foundation (UK) Limited and Ireland Charles Hawkins Fund for Handicapped F Kellogg’s UK Ltd Antisoma Research Ltd Children F Hoffman-La Roche Ltd Kidney Research Aid Foundation Arthritis Research Campaign Child Growth Foundation Fight for Sight Kidney Research UK Association for International Child Health Research Appeal Trust Fondation genevoise de bienfaisance Kids Company Cancer Research Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group Valeria Kids Kidney Research Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists Children’s Research Fund Fondation Milena Carvajal Astellas Pharma Inc. Children’s Hyperinsulinism Fund Foundation Eugenio Litta L Asthma UK Children’s Trust Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths Leukaemia Research Fund Astrazeneca (UK) Ltd CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA Autism Speaks Chronic Granulomatous Disease Trust G M Avent Ltd CLIC Sargent General Charitable Trust of Macular Disease Society AVI Biopharma Cord Blood Charity the Institute of Child Health March of Dimes Foundation Coronary Artery Disease Research Genzyme Corporation Marie Curie Cancer Care B Association Gilead Sciences Inc Mary Kitzinger Trust Baily Thomas Charitable Trust CP Charitable Trust GlaxoSmithKline Mason Medical Research Foundation Barts and the London Charitable CSL Behring AG Great Ormond Street Hospital Medical Research Council Foundation Cyberonics Europe Children’s Charity Medical Research Council of Canada Baxter Healthcare Corporation Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Medtronic Ltd Baxter Healthcare Limited Cystinosis Foundation Ireland MEND Central Ltd Bayer HealthCare AG Cystinosis Research Network Inc H Meningitis Trust BDF Newlife Health and Care Infrastructure Research Merck & Co Inc Big Lottery Fund D and Innovation Centre Merck, Sharp and Dohme Bill Gates Foundation David Baum International Foundation Health Foundation Milena Carvajal – Prokartagener Bioenvision Department for Innovation, Universities Health Protection Agency Foundation Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc & Skills Health Technology Assessment Moulton Charitable Trust Bio Products Laboratory Department for International Development Heart Research UK Muscular Dystrophy Association Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Department of Health Help the Aged Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Research Council Diabetes UK Hestia Foundation Myositis Support Group BLISS Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund Higher Education Funding Council Bone Cancer Research Trust Dona Estefania Hospital for England N Bone Marrow Research Trust Duchenne Parent Project H J Heinz Company Limited National Alliance for Autism Research British Council (France) Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa HSA Charitable Trust National Eczema Society British Educational Communications Research Association Human Early Learning Partnership National Institute for Health Research and Technology Agency National Institute of Mental Health British Eye Research Foundation E I National Institutes of Health British Heart Foundation Economic and Social Research Council Institute of Biomedical Science National Kidney Research Fund British Lung Foundation Eli Lilly and Company Institute of Education Neuroblastoma Society British Medical Association Elimination of Leukaemia Fund International Association for Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children Bupa Foundation Emergency Nutrition Network the Study of Pain North Bristol NHS Trust Engineering and Physical Sciences International Centre for Child Studies North Thames Cleft Regional Service Research Council Ipsen Ltd Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc 40 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 41 Grants and donations 2008 Senior academic staff 2008 continued

Novartis Pharmaceuticals (UK) Ltd Shire Human Genetic Therapies AB Biochemical and nutritional Mr Ben Hartley BSc MB BS FRCS Novo Nordisk UK SHS International Limited sciences theme ORL-HNS) Nuffield Foundation Siemens Plc Mr Robert Hill RCS Nutricia Ltd Simons Foundation Theme leader Dr Susan Hill BM MRCP DCH Sir Halley Stewart Trust Professor Alan Lucas Mr Barry Jones MS FRCS O Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust Mr David Jones FRCS FRCS Ed (Orth) Olivia Hodson Cancer Fund Skeletal Dysplasia Group for Nutrition unit Mr Loshan Kangesu BSc MBBS FRCS Options Consultancy Services Ltd Teaching and Research MRC professor of paediatric nutrition MS FRCS (Plast) Organon Laboratories Ltd Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases and head of unit Mr Edward Kiely FRCSI FRCS Orphan Europe (UK) Ltd Spencer Dayman Meningitis Laboratories Professor Alan Lucas MA MB Dr Michael Mars PhD BDS FDS DOrth Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids BChir FRCP MD FRCPCH FmedSci Mr Fergal Monsell MSc FRCS FRCS (Orth) P Stanford University Professor of biochemistry Mr Hilali Noorden MA FRCS (Eng) Paediatric Rheumatology Professor David Muller BSc PhD FRCS (Orth) Discretionary Fund T Professor of childhood nutrition Dr Neil Shah MB BS PhD Parkinson’s Disease Society Tanita (UK) Dr Atul Singhal MB BS DCH MRCP MD Mr Paul Smith FRCS Pfizer Ltd Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust Emeritus professor Dr Virpi Smith FIBMS PhD Pharmaxis Ltd Teenage Cancer Trust Professor Brian Wharton MD MBA DSc Mr Brian Sommerlad FRCS Philips Electronics (UK) Ltd Telethon Association Française FRCP(L)(E)(G) FRCPCH DCH Mr Stuart Tucker FRCS PHLS Communicable Disease contre les Myopathies Reader in paediatric nutrition Surveillance Centre Tibotec Pharmaceuticals Ltd Dr Jonathan Wells MA MPhil PhD Cancer theme Physiotherapy Research Foundation Reader in childhood nutrition PPP Foundation U Dr Mary Fewtrell MD BMBCh Molecular haematology and PTC Therapeutics Inc UBS AG FRCPCH MRCP DCH MA cancer biology unit Ulverscroft Foundation Senior lecturer Reader in molecular neurobiology Q Food and Agriculture Organization Dr Margaret Lawson MSc PhD SRD and acting head of unit Quintiles (UK) Ltd of the United Nations Dr Jonathan Ham BSc PhD UNICEF Surgery unit Emeritus professor of haematology R United Kingdom Children’s Nuffield professor of paediatric and oncology Rank Bequest Cancer Study Group surgery and head of unit Professor Judith Chessells MD FRCP Research Autism UCL Futures Professor Agostino Pierro MD FRCPath Research into Ageing (formerly British UCL/UCLH Biomedical Research Centre FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Ed) Visiting professor of molecular Foundation for Age Research) University College London Hospitals Reader in paediatric gastroenterology haematology Rho Inc Biomedical Research Centre Dr Keith Lindley BSc PhD Professor Paul Brickell BA MA PhD Roche Products Ltd University of Iowa MRCP(UK) MRCPCH Visiting professor of haematology Ross Products Division University of London Central Senior lecturer and oncology Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fund Dr Simon Eaton BSc PhD Professor Ian Hann MD FRCP FRCPath Royal College of Paediatrics US Agency for International Development Honorary senior lecturers Reader in paediatric and Royal College of Surgeons of England Mr David Albert FRCS developmental pathology Royal Society V Mr Peter Ayliffe FRCS (Eng) Dr Neil Sebire BSc MB BS DM FRCPath Vitol Charity Fund FRCS (Maxfac) FDS RCS (Eng) Senior lecturers S Mr Martin Bailey BSc FRCS Dr John Anderson BA MB BS MRCP PhD Samantha Dickson Research Trust W Mrs Mary Calvert BDS FDSRCS (Ed) Dr Michael Hubank BA PhD Sanofi-Aventis Wellbeing (the Health Charity MOrth MSc Dr Arturo Sala PhD Sanofi Pasteur SA for Women and Babies) Mr Joe Curry MBBS FRCS (Eng) Honorary senior lecturers Santhera Pharmaceuticals Ltd Wellchild FRCS (Paed Surg) Dr Peppy Brock MD PhD Save the Children Wellcome Foundation Mr David Drake MB BChir FRCS FRCPCH Dr Julia Chisholm MRCPCH MA PhD Saving Newborn Lives Wellcome Trust Mr Robert Evans BSc BDS MScD FDSRCS Dr Ann Goldman MB BCh FRCP (Save the Children US) World Health Organization (Eng) DOrth MOrth RCS (Ed) Search Wyeth Laboratories Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines 42 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 43 Senior academic staff 2008 continued

Dr Gill Levitt BSc MRCP DCH Honorary senior lecturers Honorary senior lecturers General and adolescent Professor of paediatric metabolic Senior lecturer Dr Raina Liesner BA MB BChir MRCP Dr Kate Brown BChir MRCP Dr Paul Aurora BSc MB BS MRCP MSc paediatrics theme disease and hepatology Dr Elizabeth Carrey PhD Dr Antony Michalski MB ChB MRCP (joint with Portex) Dr Robert Bingham MB BS FRCA Professor Peter Clayton MD FRCP Honorary senior lecturers Dr David Webb MD FRCP FRCPath Dr Michael Burch MB ChB MD FRCP Dr Ann Black MB BS DRCOG FRCA General and Adolescent Paediatrics Unit FRCPCH Dr Angela Barnicoat BSc MD DRCOG FRCP MRCPCH FRCPCH Dr Philip Cunnington MB BS DA FRCA Reader in adolescent health and acting Professors of paediatric endocrinology Dr Caroline Brain MB MD FRCP FRCPCH Lecturer Dr Allan Goldman MB BChB MRCP MSc Dr David de Beer BSc MB ChB DCH FRCA head of unit Professor Mehul Dattani MD FRCP Dr Maureen Cleary MD MRCP MB ChB Dr Owen Williams BSc PhD Dr Nick Piggott MB BS MRCPI MRCPCH Dr Robert Dinwiddie MB ChB FRCP Dr Russell Viner FRCP FRCPCH FRACP Professor Peter Hindmarsh BSc MB MD Dr Ying Foo PhD Honorary lecturer Dr Philip Rees MB BChir DRCOG FRCP FRCPCH DCH PhD MBBS (acting head of unit from BS FRCP (joint with UCL Medicine) Dr Barbara Gibbons BSc FRCPath Dr Alison Leiper MB BS MRCP Dr Margrid Schindler MD MB BS Dr Hilary Glaisyer MB BS MRCP FRCA September 2008) Professor of clinical genetics and Dr Stephanie Grunewald MD FFICI-ANZCA (joint with Portex) Dr Andreas Goebel MD PhD FRCA Emeritus professor of child health and dysmorphology Dr Khalid Hussain MB ChB MSc Cardiorespiratory sciences theme Dr Ian Sullivan MB BChir FRACP Dr Mike Grocott BSc MBBS MRCP head of unit Professor Raoul Hennekam MD PhD MRCP MRCPCH Mr Victor Tsang MB BS MS MSc FRCS FRCA DipClinSci Professor Brent Taylor PhD MB ChB FRCP Emeritus professor of paediatric Dr Richard Jones BSc MBChB DPhil Theme leader FRCS (Ed) Dr Louise Harding MB BS FRCS FRACP (retired September 2008) genetics MRCPath Professor John Deanfield Dr Robert Yates BSc(Med) MB Bch Dr Jane Herod BSc MB BS FRCA Professor of paediatrics Professor Marcus Pembrey BSc MB BS Dr Melissa Lees MRCP MSc MD FRACP Dr Richard Howard BSc MB ChB FRCA Professor R Mark Gardiner MBBCh MD MD FRCP FRCPCH FMedSci Dr Alison Male BSc MBBS MRCP Cardiac Unit Portex Anaesthesia, Intensive Therapy Dr Elizabeth Jackson BSc MB BS FRCPCH FMedSci Emeritus professor of child health Mrs Gail Norbury MA MSc MRCPath The British Heart Foundation Vandervell and Respiratory Medicine Unit MRCP FRCA Honorary professor of paediatric and growth Dr Elisabeth Rosser FRCP BSc MB BS professor of congenital heart disease Professor of respiratory physiology Dr Ian James MB ChB FRCA medicines research Professor Michael Preece MD MSc Dr Ashok Vellodi FRCP FRCPCH and head of unit and head of unit (from June 2008) Dr Adrian Lloyd-Thomas MB BS FRCA Professor Ian Wong BSc MSc PhD FRCP FRCPCH Dr Louise Wilson BSc MB ChB FRCP Professor John Deanfield MD BChir FRCP Professor Janet Stocks PhD Dr Richard Martin MBBS FRCA DCHyp MRPharmS ILTM (HE) Emeritus professor of molecular Lecturers Professor of cardiothoracic surgery Smiths Medical professor of anaesthesia FRSM MSBST Reader in molecular cell biology genetics Dr Shamima Rahman MA MRCP Professor Marc de Leval MD FRCS and critical care and head of unit (until Dr Angus McEwan MB ChB FRCA Dr Sara Mole PhD Professor Susan Malcolm PhD FRCPath MRCPCH PhD (retired 2006, but still holds honorary June 2008) Dr Reema Nandi MB BS FRCA MD Senior lecturers Emeritus professor of molecular Dr Owen Williams PhD (joint with Molecular contract) Professor Michael (Monty) Mythen FRCA Dr Kar-Binh Ong BA MB BS FRCA Dr Eddie Chung MBChB MRCP embryology Haematology and Cancer Biology) The British Heart Foundation Joseph Emeritus professor of paediatric Dr Andy Petros MB BS MSc FRCP Dr Hannah Mitchison PhD Professor Marilyn Monk Levy professor of paediatric cardiac anaesthesia FRCPCH Dr Alastair Sutcliffe MD MRCP MRCPCH Emeritus professor of biochemistry Molecular Medicine Unit morphology Professor David Hatch Dr Christine Pierce MD BSc BBS MRCP Lecturers Professor Bryan Winchester MA PhD Professor of molecular medicine and Professor Robert Anderson BSc MD Honorary reader in paediatric Dr Nick Pigott MB BS MRCPI MRCPCH Dr Indrani Banerjee PhD Honorary professor of neonatal head of unit FRCPath intensive care Dr Michael Sury MB BS DA FRCA Dr Jill Ellis PhD paediatrics Professor Peter Scambler BSc MB ChB Professor of cardiology Dr Quen Mok MB BS MRCP MRCPI DCH Dr Mark Thomas BSc MBBChir FRCA Dr Kate Everett PhD Professor John Wyatt BSc MB BS DCH FRCPath FMedSci Professor Philipp Bonhoeffer MD FSCAI Honorary reader in cardiovascular Dr David Walker BM (Hons) MRCP FRCA Dr Christina Georgoula MRCPCH FRCP (joint with UCL Paediatrics and Professor of medical and molecular Professor of cardiothoracic surgery genetics Dr Isabeau Walker BSc MBBChir FRCA Dr Camilla Salvestrini MD Child Health) genetics and Wellcome Trust senior Professor Martin Elliott MD FRCS Dr Hugh Montgomery BSc MB BS Dr Glyn Williams MBBS FRCA MD Reader in paediatric endocrinology research fellow and honorary consultant Professor of cardiology MRCP MD Genes, development and and Wellcome Trust senior fellow in in clinical genetics Professor William McKenna BA MD DSc Honorary reader in respiratory Patient care research and disease theme clinical science Professor Philip Beales BSc MD MRCP FRCP FESC FACC paediatrics innovation centre Dr John Achermann MA MD MRCP Reader in molecular cardiology Reader in cardiovascular imaging Dr Colin Wallis MB ChB FCP (Paed) Chair of children’s nursing research Theme leader MRCPCH (joint with UCL Medicine) Dr Paul Riley BSc PhD Dr Andrew Taylor BA (Hons) MD MD DCH FRCP and head of unit Professor Peter Scambler Reader and honorary consultant in MRCP(UK) FRCR Senior lecturers Professor Linda Franck PhD RN RGN clinical genetics Senior lecturers Dr Eleanor Main BA PhD RSCN FRCPCH FAAN Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit Dr Maria Bitner-Glindzicz BSc MB Dr Andrew Cook PhD (British Heart Dr Mark Peters MB BCh MRCP Senior lecturer Professor of clinical and molecular BS PhD FRCP Foundation lecturer) Dr Suellen Walker MB BS MM(PM) MSc Dr Faith Gibson MSc (Cancer Nursing) genetics and head of unit Reader in genetics and fetal medicine Dr Perry Elliott MBBS MD MRCP FANZA FFPMANZCA RSCN RGN CertEd RNT PhD Professor Gudrun Moore BA PhD Dr Lyn Chitty BSc PhD MB BS MRCOG Ms Catharina van Doorn MD FRCS (C/Th) Honorary senior lecturer Dr Debbie Sell SRSLT FRCSLT PhD

44 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 45 Senior academic staff 2008 continued

Medical Molecular Biology Unit Miss Rozanne Lord MB BS FRCS (joint Infectious Diseases and Professor of human molecular genetics Neurosciences and mental health theme Honorary senior lecturer Professor of human genetics and with Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust) Microbiology Unit Professor Robin Ali BSc PhD (joint with Dr Agnés Bloch-Zupan BChD head of unit Mr Nizam Mamode BSc MBChB MD Professor of infectious disease and Institute of Ophthalmology) Theme leader MBiolMedSc Specialist Certificate PhD Professor David Latchman MA PhD DSc FRCS(Gen) (joint with Guy’s and St immunology and head of unit Reader in molecular biology Professor Francesco Muntoni FRCPath FRSA Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) Professor Nigel Klein BSc MB BS Dr Kenth Gustafsson PhD Developmental Cognitive Reader in molecular and cellular biology Dr Stephen Marks MBChB MSc MRCP PhD FRCPCH Reader in transplantation immunology Audiological Medicine Unit Neuroscience Unit Dr Anastasis Stephanou BSc PhD MRCP(UK) DCH FRCPCH Honorary professors Dr Persis Amrolia BSC MBBS MRCP (moved to UCL Ear Institute 2008) Professor of developmental cognitive Honorary senior lecturer Mr Imran Mushtaq MD FRCS Professor Diana Gibb MBChB (Hons) MRCPath PhD Professor of audiological medicine neuroscience and head of unit Dr Richard Knight MD PhD Mr John Taylor MD FRCS (joint with Guy’s MRCP MD MSc Dip Obs FRCPCH Reader in molecular genetics and head of unit Professor Faraneh Vargha-Khadem Lecturer and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) Professor Alan Phillips PhD FRCPCH Dr Stephen Hart BSc MSc PhD Professor Linda Luxon BSc MB BS FRCP MA PhD Dr Vishwanie Budhram-Mahadeo BSc PhD Dr Kjell Tullus MD PhD FRCPCH Senior lecturer Reader in stem cell transplantation Honorary senior lecturers Visiting professor Honorary lecturers Dr Mona Bajaj-Elliott BSc PhD Dr Paul Veys MBBS FRCP FRCPath Dr Ewa Raglan Med Dip (Hons) LRCP Professor Mortimer Mishkin MA PhD Nephro-urology Unit Ms Eileen Brennan RGN RSCN ENB Dr Paul Brogan BSc (Hons) MBChB FRCPCH MRCS FRCS Reader in developmental cognitive Professor of nephrology and head 147 DMS MSc (Hons) MRCPCH MSc PhD Senior lecturer Dr Doris-Eva Bamiou ENTspec MSc neuroscience of unit Mr Divyesh Desai MB MChir (joint with Rheumatology Unit) Dr Waseem Qasim BMedSci (Distinction) PhD Dr Torsten Baldeweg MD Professor Adrian Woolf MA MD FRCPCH Dr Sarah Ledermann MRCP Honorary senior lecturers MBBS MRCP MRCPCH PhD Reader in developmental cognitive Emeritus professors of paediatric Dr David Cubitt MSc PhD Honorary senior lecturers Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit neuroscience nephrology Infection and immunity theme Dr Susan Hall BSc PhD Dr Cathy Cale BSc MB ChB PhD Professor of behavioural and brain Dr Michelle de Haan PhD Professor Martin Barratt FRCP CBE Dr John Hartley BSc MB BS MSc MRCP MRCPCH MRCPath sciences and head of unit Honorary lecturers Professor Michael Dillon FRCP FRCPCH Theme leader DTM&H MRCP FRCPath Dr Graham Davies MA FRCP FRCPCH Professor David Skuse MD FRCP Dr Luc Berthouze BSc Msc PhD Professor of nephrology Professor Christine Kinnon Dr Marian Malone MB BCh BAO FRCPath Dr Alison Jones MRCP PhD FRCPsych FRCPCH Dr Margaret Mayston BSc Msc PhD Professor Robert Kleta MD PhD Dr Karyn Moshal MBChB MRCP MRCPCH Lecturers/clinician scientists Professor of developmental Dr Peter Rankin BSc Msc DClinPsy Reader in paediatric nephrology Immunobiology Unit DTM&H Dr Siobhan Burns MB BCh MRCPI PhD psychopathology Lecturer Dr Lesley Rees MD FRCP FRCPCH Professor of vaccinology and Dr Vas Novelli FRACP FRCP FRCPCH Professor Peter Hobson MB BChir Dr Federique Liegeois BSc MSc PhD Honorary readers in paediatric immunology, director of clinical research Dr Delane Shingadia MBBS MPh MRCP Rheumatology Unit PhD CPsychol FRCPsych nephrology and development and head of unit FRCPCH Reader in paediatric rheumatology Professor of neurodevelopment Dubowitz neuromuscular centre Dr Richard Trompeter FRCP FRCPCH Professor David Goldblatt MB ChB PhD Dr James Soothill MD MB BS FRCPath and head of unit disorders Professor of paediatric neurology Dr William van’t Hoff BSc MD FRCP FRCP FRCPCH Clinician scientist Dr Lucy Wedderburn BA PhD MB BS Professor Tony Charman MA MSc PhD and head of unit FRCPCH Professor of immunology Dr Helen Baxendale BSc MB BS PhD FRCP MRCPCH CClinPsy (left Dec 2008) Professor Francesco Muntoni MD FMedSci Senior lecturer Professor Robin Callard BSc MSc PhD MRCP MRCPCH Professor of paediatric rheumatology Honorary senior lecturers Reader in cell biology Dr Paul Winyard BM BCh MA PhD DipMath BA (Maths) DSc Honorary clinical senior lecturer and director of the centre of paediatric Dr Danya Glaser MB BS DCH FRCPsych Dr Jennifer Morgan PhD FRCPCH Professor of experimental immunology Dr Garth Dixon BSc MB ChB PhD and adolescent rheumatology Dr Jon Goldin MB BS (joined February 2008) Honorary senior lecturers Professor Tessa Crompton PhD MRCP FRCPath Professor Patricia Woo CBE MB BS BSc Dr Jill Hodges BA MSc PhD Dr Detlef Böckenhauer MD PhD Professor of paediatric dermatology PhD FRCP FRCPCH FMedSci Dr Dasha Nicholls MB BS MRCPsych Neural Development Unit Mr Francis Calder MB FRCS Professor John Harper MD FRCP FRCPCH Molecular Immunology Unit Honorary senior lecturers GlaxoWellcome professor of (joint with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Emeritus professor of molecular Professor of molecular immunology Dr Paul Brogan BSc (Hons) MBChB (Hons) Developmental Biology Unit developmental neurobiology, head Foundation Trust) immunology and head of unit MRCPCH MSc PhD (joint with Infectious Reader in developmental biology of unit and director Mr Peter Cuckow FRCS (joint with The Professor Malcolm Turner DSc (Med) Professor Christine Kinnon BSC PhD Diseases and Microbiology) and head of unit Professor Andrew Copp MBBS DPhil Middlesex Hospital) PhD FRSC FRCPath Professor of paediatric immunology Dr Clarissa Pilkington BSc MBBS Dr Patrizia Ferretti PhD FRCPath FMedSci Mr Patrick Duffy MB FRCS Honorary senior lecturer Professor Bobby Gaspar BSc MB BS MRCPCH Reader in developmental biology Reader in craniofacial developmental Mr Geoff Koffman MBChB FRCS Dr David Atherton MA MB BChir FRCP MRCP Dr Nathan Hasson MBChB FRCPCH Dr Jane Sowden BA PhD biology and genetics (joint with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Lecturer Professor of paediatrics and Lecturer Reader in craniofacial developmental Dr Phil Stanier PhD (Joint with Foundation Trust) Dr Wei-Li Di MB BS PhD immunology and Wellcome Trust Dr Bin Gao MMed PhD biology and genetics Developmental Biology Unit) senior fellow Dr Phil Stanier PhD (joint with Neural Reader in development neurobiology Professor Adrian Thrasher MB BS PhD Development Unit) Dr Andrew Stoker PhD FRCP FMedSci

46 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 47 Senior academic staff 2008 continued

Wellcome Trust University Award Fellow Senior lecturer Ulverscroft research group Dr Keiran McHugh DCH FRCR FRCPI Paediatric Epidemiology and Dr Patricia Tookey BA MSc PhD MFPHM Dr Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera BA PhD Dr Vijeya Ganesan MB ChB MD MRCP Reader in ophthalmic epidemiology Dr Amaka Offiah MRCP FRCR PhD Biostatistics Unit Dr Angela Wade BSc CStat MSc PhD ILTM Senior lecturer MRCPCH and director of the Ulverscroft visual Dr Oystein Ølsen cand.med (Norway) PhD Professor of epidemiology and Honorary senior lecturers Dr Alan Burns BSc PhD Honorary senior lecturers research group Dr Catherine Owens MRCP FRCR head of unit Dr Catherine Bull MA MB BChir MRCP DCH Lecturer Dr Sarah Aylett MB BS MRCP FRCPCH Dr Jugnoo Rahi MSc PhD FRCOphth Dr Derek Roebuck BMedSc FRCR Professor Carol Dezateux MD MSc FRCP Dr David Elliman FRCPCH MFPHM Dr Nick Greene BA PhD Dr Martin Bax MB BCh DM MA FRCP Honorary professors FRANZCR FHKAM (Radiology) FRCPCH FFPHM FMedSci Dr Carlo Giaquinto MD Clinician scientists (Hons) FRCPCH Professor Richard Abadi PhD Dr Dawn Saunders MB MD FRCR Professor of medical statistics Dr Elizabeth Miller BSc MB BS Dr Thomas Jacques BA MA MB Dr Stewart Boyd MD FRCPCH Professor Tony Moore FRCOphth Senior lecturers Professor Timothy Cole BA BPhil MA PhD MFPH FRCPath BChir PhD MRCP Dr Lucinda Carr MD MBChB DCH Honorary reader Dr Christopher Clark PhD ScD HonFRCPCH FMedSci Dr Angus Nicoll CBE MSc FRCP Dr Nikhil Thapar BSc BM MRCP(UK) FRCPCH Miss Isabelle Russell-Eggitt MA FRCS Dr Mark Lythgoe PhD Professor of clinical epidemiology FFPHM FRCPCH MRCPCH(UK) PhD Dr Hilary Cass BSc FRCP FRCPCH MILT FRCOphth Lecturer Professor Ruth Gilbert MSc MD MRCP Dr Sandy Oliver BA PhD Dr Carlos de Sousa MB BS BSc Senior lecturer Dr Martin King PhD Professors of public health and Dr Nigel Rollins MB BCH MRCP Neural Plasticity Unit MD FRCP FRCPCH Dr Jane Sowden BA PhD epidemiology DCH MD FRCPch Professor of clinical neurophysiology Dr Catherine DeVile MA MB BS MD Principle research fellow Population health sciences theme Professor Christine Power BA MSc PhD Dr Christopher Wren MB BCh FRCP and head of unit MRCP MPCPCH Dr Richard Clement PhD BSc MFPHM Lecturer Professor Martin Koltzenburg MD FRCP Dr Jane Evans MD Honorary senior lecturers Theme leader Professor Catherine Law OBE MD FRCP Dr Claire Thorne BA MSc PhD Miss Silvia Gatscher Dr med univ Mr Kanwal Nischal FRCOpth Professor Carol Dezateux FRCPCH FFPH Neurosciences Unit Dr Brian Harding MA DPhil BM Dr Dorothy Thompson BSc PhD MBCO Professor of paediatric epidemiology Prince of Wales’s chair in childhood BCh FRCPath Honorary lecturer Centre for international health Professor Marie-Louise Newell MSc epilepsy and head of unit Mr William Harkness FRCS Dr Alki Liasis PhD CPSM and development PhD MFPHM Professor Helen Cross MB ChB MRCP Dr Cheryl Hemingway MBChB BA Professor of international child health Professor of epidemiology Professor of childhood epilepsy FCP FRCPCH MMed Radiology and Physics Unit and head of unit Professor Catherine Peckham CBE MD Professor Brian Neville FRCP FRCPCH Dr Isabel Heyman BSc MB BS Rank professor of biophysics and Professor Anthony Costello MA MB BChir FFPHM FRCP FRCPCH FRCPath FRCOG Professor of paediatric neurosurgery MRCPsych PhD head of unit FRCP FRCPCH FMedSci Professor Richard Hayward FRCS Dr Jeremy Parr MBCHB MD MRCPCH Professor David Gadian DPhil FMedSci Professor of child health and nutrition Honorary professors Professor in paediatric neurosciences Dr Matthew Pitt MD MRCP (chair of biophysics) Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor MB Professor Diana Gibb MBChB (Hons) and international child health Dr Prab Prabhakar MBBS MRCPCH DCH Professor of paediatric imaging BS MD DPH FRCP MRCP MD MSc Dip Obs FRCPCH Professor Charles Newton MB Dr Robert Robinson MA MBBS MRCP Professor Isky Gordon FRCR Professor of disability studies Professor Clyde Herztman MD BSc MSc ChB MD MRCP Dr Alison Salt MSc DCH FRCAP FRCPCH FRCP FRCPCH Professor Sheila Wirz MEdFCST PhD FRCPC Professor of paediatric neurology Dr Patricia Sonksen MD FRCP DObst Honorary professor of medical physics Professor of international child health Professor Heather Joshi MA Mlitt Professor Fenella Kirkham MA MB BCh MRCOG Professor Andrew Todd-Pokropek PhD Professor Andrew Tomkins MB BS FRCP Professor Orly Manor BSc MSc PhD MRCP FRCP Mr Dominic Thompson MB BS BSc (joint with Department of Medical Physics FRCPCH FFPHM FMedSci Professor Brent Taylor PhD MB ChB Honorary professor FRCS (SN) and Bioengineering, UCL) Senior lecturer FRCP FRACP Professor Sheena Reilly BappSci PhD Dr Sophie Varadkar BA MB BCh Honorary senior lecturers Dr Therese Hesketh MFPHM MRCPCH Reader in epidemiology and Visiting professor BAO DCH MSc MRCPI Dr Alex Barnacle BA MRCP FRCR PhD MPH DTM&H DCH public health Professor David Taylor MD FRCP Dr Steve White MA DPhil MB BChir Dr Lorenzo Biassoni MD FEBNM Honorary senior lecturers Dr Elina Hypponen MSc MPH PhD FRCPsych (Hons) FRCPCH MRCPsych FRCP Dr Tim Cox FRCR Dr Richard Lansdown MA PhD Reader in ophthalmic epidemiology Reader in paediatric neuroscience Honorary lecturer Dr Rose de Bruyn DMRD FRCR DipPsych FBPsS Cpsychol and director of the Ulverscroft visual Dr Rod Scott MB ChB PhD MRCP Dr Naomi Dale BA MB PhD Dr Marian Easty MBBS MRCP FRCR Dr Felicity Savage MS BM BCh FRCP research group MRCPCH C.Psychol (BPS) Dr Melanie Hiorns MB BS MRCP FRCR Lecturers Dr Jugnoo Rahi MSc PhD FRCOphth Dr Wui Khean ‘Kling’ Chong MD MRCP Dr Sarah Barnett PhD Senior lecturers FRCR Dr Zelee Hill PhD Dr Helen Bedford BSc MSc PhD FFPH Dr Audrey Prost PhD FRCPCH Dr Andrew Seal PhD Dr Mario Cortina Borja BSc MSc PhD

48 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 49 Administration 2008

The planning and executive committee Theme leader, Infection The Board of Great Ormond Street Dr Gillian Dalley BA MA (Econ) PhD of the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Immunity Hospital for Children NHS Trust Ms Helen Dent Msc BEd Professor Christine Kinnon BSC PhD Mr Andrew Fane MA FCA Director Theme leader, Neurosciences and Chair Mr Charles Tilley FCA Professor Andrew Copp MBBS DPhil Mental Health Sir Cyril Chantler MA MD FRCP FRCPCH Non-Trust Board members FRCPath FMedSci Professor Francesco Muntoni FMedSci FMedSci Director of clinical research and Vice-dean and theme leader Genes, Theme leader, Population Executive directors development Development and Disease Health Sciences Chief executive Professor David Goldblatt MB ChB PhD Professor Peter Scambler BSc MB ChB Professor Carol Dezateux MD MSc FRCP Dr Jane Collins MSc MD FRCP FRCPCH MRCP FRCPCH FRCPath FMedSci FRCPCH FFPHM FMedSci Deputy chief executive Director of information and Director of Clinical Research Chief executive, Great Ormond Mr Trevor Clarke BSc (Hons) MSc communication technology and Development Street Hospital (until August 2008) Mr Mike Large (from October 2008) Professor David Goldblatt MB ChB PhD Dr Jane Collins MSc MD FRCP FRCPCH Chief operating officer Director of estates and facilities FRCP FRCPCH Medical director, Great Ormond Ms Fiona Dalton (from August 2008) Mr Mike Ralph CEng BEng (Hons) Director of learning and teaching Street Hospital Chief finance officer FIMechE FIHEEM Professor Sheila Wirz MEdFCST PhD Mr Rob Evans BSc BDS MScD FRSFRCS Mrs Claire Newton MA ACA MCT Director of redevelopment Nuffield professor of paediatric surgery Representative from ICH Research Co-medical director Mr William McGill MSc Professor Agostino Pierro MD FRCS (Eng) Assessment Exercise Committee Mr Robert Evans BSc BDS MScD Director of partnership development FRCS (Ed) Professor John Deanfield MD BChir FRCP FRSFRCS Ms Maria Collins SRN MFPH FFPH Theme leader, Biochemical and Non-executive members Co-medical director Interim director of human resources Nutritional Sciences Director of financial services Dr Barbara Buckley (from June 2008) Executive director, Great Ormond Street Professor Alan Lucas MA MB BChir FRCP Mr Bas Ahsan BSc FCCA Director of nursing, education and Hospital Children’s Charity MD FRCPCH FMedSci Institute manager workforce development Mr Charles Denton (until May 2008) Theme leader, Cardiorespiratory Justine Abbot (joined September 2008) Professor Judith Ellis MBE PhD MSc Mr Tim Johnson (from May 2008) Sciences Head of research and BSc (Hons) RSCN RGN RNT PGCE Professor John Deanfield MD BChir FRCP development office Non-executive directors Head of unit, General and Adolescent Ms Emma Pendleton BSc MSc Ms Yvonne Brown LLB (from June 2008) Paediatrics (until April 2008) Professor Andrew Copp MBBS DPhil Professor Brent Taylor PhD MB ChB FRCP Ms Jo Southern BSc MSc FRCPath FMedSci FRACP (retired September 2008) (from September 2008) Dr Russell Viner (Acting head of unit Head of estates and facilities from September 2008) Mr Nigel Seymour FIMLS

50 Research Review 2008 People People Research Review 2008 51 Administration 2008 continued

Special trustees for Great Ormond Trustees of the Child Health Street Hospital Children’s Charity Research Appeal Trust

Chairman of special trustees Chairman Mr John Ballard CB Mr Andrew Fane MA FCA Trustees Treasurer Ms Susan Burns Mr Hugh Stevenson Ms Margaret Casely-Hayford Dr Jane Collins MSc MD FRCP FRCPCH Mr Richard Glynn Professor Andrew Copp MBBS DPhil Mr Alan Charles Hodson FRCPath FMedSci Mr Thomas Hughes-Hallett Professor David Goldblatt MB ChB PhD Mr Hugo William John Llewelyn FRCP FRCPCH Associate trustees Professor David Latchman MA PhD DSc Mr David Doubble MA FRICS OBE FRCPath FRSA Mr David Elms MA FCAA Mr Andrew Ross MA MBA Mr Andrew Fane MA FCA Mr Gary Steinberg MSc FRSC Mr Michael Weston

Jay is eight, and his favourite superhero is Batman. He is being treated for Hirschprung’s disease but is looking forward to going home to Wales soon. 52 Research Review 2008 People UCL Institute of Child Health 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH 020 7242 9789 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust Great Ormond Street London WC1N 3JH 020 7405 9200 www.gosh.nhs.uk

Produced by Great Ormond Street Hospital Marketing and Communications

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Photography by Richard Learoyd and Elsa Gomez-Garcia

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Thank you to everyone who was interviewed or gave permission for their picture to be used for this review, as well as the many members of the UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital staff who helped during its production. See also www.gosh.nhs.uk for information on papers published during the year and the online version of this review.