The annual Directorate of Laboratory Medicine R&D day was held in the directorate on Monday the 5th of October.

Abstracts of material to be presented at this meeting were invited from all members of the Directorate.

This meeting is a bit different to other research meetings. The aim is not (necessarily) to show what excellent research we've done in the past. Rather its a forum for people to learn what is currently happening, and what is being planned, around the directorate. The aim is to stimulate discussions and collaborations that would otherwise not occur. We asked for abstracts of up to 200 words describing the work planned, in progress or completed. In addition to “conventional” research, we would also wanted to see descriptions of assays being developed or modified for routine use.

In addition to poster presentations, 2 Minute presentations of selected abstracts from 1pm to 2pm were given. Here you can find abstracts, the presentations and audio from the day so you can hear and see the work being done in the directorate.

R&D is a high priority for the directorate and as is illustrated in the presentations all disciplines are active participants in research. We have a wide array of skills and technology that is available for collaborative or commissioned research projects. In addition we are able to provide a wide range of analytical services. If you would like more information on our services on offer you can contact our dedicated research facilitator Lesley Horton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Congratulations to the Winners Jenna Waldron (Best Oral Presentation) and Dr Jason Evans (Best Poster Presentation)

Click here to see all the abstracts and listen to oral presentations

Jenna Waldron and Craig Webster.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital.

Mevalonic acid (MVA) is synthesised at an early and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, and is a useful measure of statin efficacy or treatment. We have developed a specific and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the measurement of MVA. Following its conversion to mevalonic acid lactone (MVAL), MVA, and a deuterated internal standard, were extracted from human plasma samples using solid-phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Luna PFP column (Phenomenex), which enables enhanced selectivity and improved resolution for polar compounds. An isocratic system was used with a mobile phase consisting of 15% methanol and ammonium formate buffer (5mM, pH 2.5), and a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Analysis was performed using an API 5000 tandem mass spectrometer (Applied Biosystems) and using an electrospray ESI source in positive mode. The instrument was tuned for the mass transitions of m/z 131?113 and 131?69. The retention times achieved for each transition allows for a total run time of 5 minutes. In conclusion, we have developed a method that is analytically specific and sensitive, and could potentially be used to determine the endogenous levels of MVA in normal individuals, and in patients undergoing statin treatment to aid in their lipid management.

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