Molecular Pathology Department

The Molecular Pathology Department comprises four specialist laboratories at King's College Hospital. 

The laboratories were purpose built in 2008 to reduce the risk of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) contamination, and are extremely well equipped.

Genetic testing for inherited disease, infectious disease and somatic disease all takes place in the same area with a separate clinical and scientific lead for each pathology discipline.

Continual innovation is integral to the way we work and our commitment to various clinical academic groups and in the development of King’s Health Partners, one of only six Academic Health Science Centres (AHSCs) in England designated by the Department of Health.

Key features

• We have multiple next-generation sequencing machines on-site, allowing the development of new innovative assays; constantly increasing the diagnostic repertoire we are able to offer.
• Sample barcoding permits automation of most of the diagnostic processes, from DNA extraction to genotype results.
• Bioinformatic support is provided by collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry’s Bioinformatics Research Centre (BRC) group, who use the latest tools and computing software to analyse biological data.