Who we are
We are part of Newcastle Hospitals and we provide a number of high-quality diagnostic research services from our NHS lab in The Biosphere and our team of biomedical scientists has wide expertise in cellular pathology.
Our specialist tissue pathology services enable clients to access diagnostic techniques for biomarker identification of diseases such as cancer.
Through our combined HTA-registered Newcastle Hospitals Biobank with the North East Innovation Lab we have access to a range of over three million prospectively collected and archived tissue and liquid samples for our clients.
Our state-of-the-art equipment, including our multispectral digital imaging scanners, enable us to keep pace with innovative and effective techniques to help our clients improve their research.
Novopath began thanks to a joint Medical Research Council (MRC) grant application with Newcastle University to create a research lab in this field. Back then the lab was called the Newcastle Molecular Pathology Node specialising in implementing and managing research projects.
We work closely with colleagues at the North East Innovation Lab to strengthen our combined offer in the diagnostic pathway and as NHS labs we also work closely with hospital teams and departments across Newcastle Hospitals and also Newcastle University to support clients’ research and diagnostic needs
We are proud to be a partner in Diagnostics North East and an important part of the research and innovation strand of the Newcastle Health Innovation Partners, the Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) which involves Newcastle University, Newcastle Hospitals, Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle City Council and the North East and North Cumbria AHSN.
Our clients
We work with clients of all sizes from spinouts to international corporations, as well as other NHS organisations and universities.
Our projects include innovative studies in computational and digital pathology, and biomarker discovery.
We work closely with AMLo Biosciences to support the development of cancer biomarkers into a range of diagnostic products to improve patient outcomes and transform care.
We completed the validation of the AMBLor® diagnostic test for stage one and two melanomas and we’ve also supported the development of a UKAS approved referral test for the biomarkers, in advance of UK CA-marking of AMBLor®. This meant that the commercial launch could take place earlier than planned.
We work closely with FibroFind and Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, part of Newcastle University, to provide clinical tissue samples from our HTA registered biobank to support their research needs, we met their requirements for quality tissue samples enabling their research into medicine development to progress.
Please see our case studies.
Our services
Research and diagnostic histological methods
- Microtomy and cryotomy
- Tissue processing and embedding
- Special stains for connective markers, fungi, bacteria iron and intracellular organelles
- Decalcification with onsite X-ray facilities
- In-situ hybridisation (ISH), RNA scope
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
- Single and multiplexing image analysis
- Tissue microarray (TMA)
- Digital pathology
Molecular pathology
- Dissection and microdissection
- Sterile sectioning and curls for downstream genomic analysis
Biobanking
- Access to clinical samples
- Paraffin and frozen sample storage (-20ºC/-80ºC)
Our expertise
- All underpinned by qualified Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) NHS staff working across UKAS accredited laboratories
- Access to multidisciplinary consultant expertise.
Please contact us to discuss how we can work together.
