Clinical scientist, histocompatibility and immunogenetics : Job description

Clinical scientists in histocompatibility and immunogenetics (H&I) are specialists in tissue typing, a critical role in haemopoietic stem cell and organ transplantation.

H&I clinical scientists are critically involved in the genetic matching of prospective organ and stem cell donors with patients, typing human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and assessing the closeness of the match. They have the main responsibility for advising clinicians on the most suitably matched donors.

They provide genetic tests for a range of immune-related genes and human leukocyte antigens (HLA), are involved in the investigation of blood transfusion based reactions and may be involved in tests to determine genetic predisposition to diseases and platelet therapy.

H&I laboratories are also charged with the maintenance of a register of potential donors and recipients and their specific immunological characteristics to enable quick identification of a suitable recipient when a donation is received.

Typical work activities

Typical activities include:

• performing routine human leukocyte antigens (HLA) typing of blood donors and patients, using molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
• assigning HLA types to donors and patients;
• performing routine screening of patient and donor sera for HLA antibodies and identifying specificity using serological techniques, including lymphocytotoxicity, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry;
• participating in the provision of HLA matched or crossmatched platelets for patients who need platelet transfusion;
• performing routine cellular assays for bone marrow transplantation;
• performing isolation, measurement and cataloguing of DNA samples;
• performing isolation and preservation of lymphocytes;
• recording relevant computerised and written reports relating to blood donors, patients and reagents;
• evaluating new technologies (and possibly training or specialising in these);
• advising clinicians as to the best match between donor and patient;
• producing high-quality, accurate and timely reports of investigations;
• attending scientific meetings and conferences;
• reading current scientific publications and participating in professional development in the H&I subject area;
• potential involvement in anthropological studies due to the highly variable nature of histocompatibility genes between populations.