We congratulate all the winners and runners-up of the SYNLAB Medical Innovation Awards 2024 for their extraordinary dedication and breakthroughs. Their work not only brings prestige to SYNLAB, but also contributes to the quality of healthcare worldwide and inspires us in our mission to provide actionable diagnostic information for healthy lives and well-being for all. We look forward to continued innovation and success in the years to come.
For this year’s award 20 SYNLAB experts with scientific publications between July 2023 and July 2024 applied. The rigorous selection process of clinical impact and bibliometric evaluation ensured recognition of the most impactful research across our network. These awards highlight innovation, excellence and collaboration in healthcare.
TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION
SYNLAB UK & Ireland
Jeyrroy Gabriel
St. John’s Dermatopathology, Tissue Sciences, Synnovis Analytics, St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
In collaboration with Cellpath Ltd developed and tested Haematoxylin X, a dye improving specificity and sensitivity of tissue staining, particularly for frozen tissues, benefiting routine diagnostic use and digital pathology.
Evaluation of a New Mordant Based Haematoxylin Dye (Haematoxylin X) for Use in Clinical Pathology.
Publication – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37818105/
Gabriel JA, D'Amico C, Kosgodage U, Satoc J, Haine N, Willis S, Orchard GE.
Br J Biomed Sci. 2023 Sep 25;80:11591. doi: 10.3389/bjbs.2023.11591. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37818105
SYNLAB Germany
Harald Hoffmann
WHO-Supranational TB Reference Laboratory SYNLAB Gauting, Germany
Sets new standards in the interpretation of mycobacteriological laboratory results and in advising physicians on the management of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis through an epidemiological study in Germany.
Development of prevalence and incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in German laboratories from 2016 to 2020.
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37883336/
Corbett C, Finger P, Heiß-Neumann M, Bohnert J, Eder IB, Eisele M, Friesen I, Kaasch AJ, Kehrmann J, Lang R, Rödel J, Roessler S, Schmidt A, Schneitler S, Schui D, Schuler F, Sedlacek L, Serr A, Sitaru AG, Steinmann J, Wagner D, Wichelhaus TA; EpiNTM-Group; Hofmann-Thiel S, Hoffmann H. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2023 Dec;12(2):2276342. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2276342. Epub 2023 Dec 6. PMID: 37883336
SYNLAB UK & Ireland
Adela Alcolea Medina
Infection Sciences, Synnovis, London, UK
Developed a novel metagenomic method for rapid microorganism detection, improving respiratory infection diagnostics.
Unified metagenomic method for rapid detection of microorganisms in clinical samples.
Publication – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38972920/
Alcolea Medina A, Alder C, Snell LB, Charalampous T, Aydin A, Nebbia G, Williams T, Goldenberg S, Douthwaite S, Batra R, Cliff PR, Mischo H, Neil S, Wilks M, Edgeworth JD. Commun Med (Lond). 2024 Jul 7;4(1):135. doi: 10.1038/s43856-024-00554-3. PMID: 38972920
WOMEN'S HEALTH
SYNLAB Spain
Xavier Vendrell
Reproductive Genetics Department, Sistemas Genomicos-SYNLAB, Valencia, Spain
Provided new insights into the paternal genome's role in early human development, advancing fertility treatment research.
Longitudinal profiling of human androgenotes through single-cell analysis unveils paternal gene expression dynamics in early embryo development.
Publication – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38622061/
Vendrell X, de Castro P, Escrich L, Grau N, Gonzalez-Martin R, Quiñonero A, Escribá MJ, Domínguez F. Hum Reprod. 2024 Jun 3;39(6):1186-1196. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deae072.PMID: 38622061
SYNLAB UK & Ireland
Rachel Carling
Improved newborn screening protocols, reducing false positives in isovaleric acidemia screening.
Retrospective Review of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Isovaleric Acidemia and Development of a Strategy to Improve the Efficacy of Newborn Screening in the UK.
National Library of Medicine – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38535128/
Carling RS, Hedgethorne K, Chakrapani A, Hall PL, Flynn N, Greenfield T, Moat SJ, Ssali J, Shakespeare L, Taj N, Wu THY, Anderson M, Ghosh A, Lemonde H, Pierre G, Sharrard M, Sreekantam S, Bonham JR. Int J Neonatal Screen. 2024 Mar 13;10(1):24. doi: 10.3390/ijns10010024.PMID: 38535128
SYNLAB Italy
Ilaria Leone
IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Naples, Italy
Explored extracellular vesicles in breast cancer and their potential as early diagnostic biomarkers.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer EVs Modulate Growth and Migration of Normal Epithelial Lung Cells.
National Library of Medicine – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892050/
Leone I, Santoro J, Soricelli A, Febbraro A, Santoriello A, Carrese B. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 May 28;25(11):5864. doi: 10.3390/ijms25115864. PMID: 38892050
ONCOLOGY
SYNLAB Italy
Filomena Altieri
IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Naples, Italy
Identified circular RNAs in paediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL), offering potential new diagnostic tools for high-risk patients and contributing to personalised treatment approaches.
Identification of a circular RNA isoform of WASHC2A as a prognostic factor for high-risk paediatric B-ALL patients.National Library of Medicine – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38917755/
Filomena A, Giovanni S, Ginevra S, Santiago N, Di Fasano Miriam S, Peppino M, Alessandra C, Antonia M, Giuliana B, Rosanna P, Marco S, Lorena B. Biomed Pharmacother. 2024 Aug;177:116903. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116903. Epub 2024 Jun 24. PMID: 38917755
SYNLAB Italy
Jessie Santoro
IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Naples, Italy
Enhanced understanding of the tumour microenvironment in breast cancer, particularly the role of tumour extracellular vesicles within the immune system in personalised cancer treatment.
Influence of Breast Cancer Extracellular Vesicles on Immune Cell Activation: A Pilot Study
National Library of Medicine – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38132355/
Santoro J, Carrese B, Peluso MS, Coppola L, D'Aiuto M, Mossetti G, Salvatore M, Smaldone G. Biology (Basel). 2023 Dec 15;12(12):1531. doi: 10.3390/biology12121531. PMID: 38132355
YOUNG SCIENTIST
SYNLAB UK & Ireland
Nathan Timbrell
Nutristasis Unit, Synnovis, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
Highlighted the importance of reference intervals in clinical chemistry, with implications for medical education and healthcare professional development.
The Role and Limitations of the Reference Interval Within Clinical Chemistry and Its Reliability for Disease Detection.
National Library of Medicine – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38481978/
Timbrell NE. Br J Biomed Sci. 2024 Feb 28;81:12339. doi: 10.3389/bjbs.2024.12339. eCollection 2024. PMID: 38481978
SYNLAB Italy
Graziano Santoro
Genetic Unit, SYNLAB Italy, Castenedolo (BS), Italy
Expanded the known clinical phenotype in a rare genetic deletion case, providing valuable insights for future genetic counselling.
An Unclassified Deletion Involving the Proximal Short Arm of Chromosome 10: A New Syndrome?
National Library of Medicine – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38927586/
Santoro G, Incoronato M, Spagnoli E, Gabbiato I, Contini S, Piovan M, Ferrari M, Lapucci C, Zuccarello D. Genes (Basel). 2024 May 21;15(6):650. doi: 10.3390/genes15060650. PMID: 38927586