Page 192 - Hospital Authority Convention 2018

Corporate Scholarship Presentations
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2018

C1.3 Medical Advancement and Innovative Technology 10:45 Room 428

Multicolour Flow Cytometry in Clinical Haematology
Siu LLP
Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong
Cellular immunophenotyping refers to the detection of molecules on the cell surface, within cytoplasm or intracellular
organelles. Such molecules can be visualised by flow cytometry using fluorochrome-tagged monoclonal antibodies. Flow
cytometers have the capacity to analyse multiple parameters on a single cell with high precision and throughput. Different
cell populations can be graphically presented as distinct clusters. Subpopulations or minor events can be isolated and
characterised by sequential gating strategies.
Application of flow cytometry in clinical setting requires knowledge of physics related to excitation and emission of
fluorochromes from source of lasers at various wavelengths. Moreover, an adequate understanding of the biology of
molecules and cell type is mandatory. In the recent decade, there are new combinations of fluorochromes and antibody
conjugates that support robust multicolour flow cytometry assays including diagnosis of haematolymphoid malignancies
and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. The quality of data, however, depends on correct antibody panel design and
instrument setup. The sensitivity and resolution also require optimal colour compensation to avoid spectral overlap.
A short turn-around-time (TAT) in one to three hours for the diagnosis of haematolymphoid malignancies according to
World Health Organization guidelines can be achieved using multicolour flow cytometry. This is essential in order to initiate
immediate treatment for acute leukemia and to triage cases for relevant molecular genetic testing. Laboratories also employ
sequential staining with screening and confirmatory panel as a cost-effective approach. The technology of multicolour flow
cytometry can provide information of antigen co-expression and thus can identify patient-specific immunophenotype for
subsequent MRD assay. Moreover, the ability to work on lower sample volume has facilitated the analysis on paediatric and
body fluid samples. The smaller number of assay tubes to handle also improves workflow efficiency.
Despite the emerging advancement of molecular technology, flow cytometry remains as an indispensable service in
haematology laboratories.

C1.4 Medical Advancement and Innovative Technology 10:45 Room 428

Public Health and Pathology Service in Melbourne’s Biomedical Community
Li D
Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong

The redevelopment of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) has been announced and underway in full speed. Microbiology, as
Tuesday, 8 May 2018 mode, advanced technology and innovation in Australia. The internationally renowned Melbourne Biomedical Community
one of the stakeholder departments of PWH, receiving full sponsorship from the Overseas Training Programme for Senior
Allied Health Professionals 2017/18, the speaker had an invaluable opportunity to study the overseas laboratory service
or Melbourne Biomedical Precinct was chosen. It is made up of some 30 hospitals, research, teaching and biotechnology
organisations mainly located at the north of Melbourne’s Central Business District. It is also known to be one of the top
biomedical precincts in the world, like Boston, Cambridge and San Francisco. What they are in common is the established
reputation as a world leading biomedical services, research and teaching powerhouse.
The destinations of this laboratory attachment training trip primarily based at four biomedical and health institutions, including
Royal Melbourne Hospital, Doherty Institute, Austin Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. In addition, with the special
and kind arrangement by the Consultant Microbiologist of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Pathology Department of
Monash Health and St. Vincent Hospital were included for the study of Total Laboratory Automation solutions. The Public
Health Laboratory in the Doherty Institute also arranged a special visit to the clinic’s laboratory in Melbourne Sexual Health
Centre. With the laboratory attachment study in these institutions, the scope of the training was further extended. Overall, it
was a fruitful trip to create a real vision with specific examples in the planning and design exercise of our future laboratory
from software and hardware settings to the best practice of the professional encountered. This valuable experience will be
shared in the presentation.

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