Partnering with OGT: Empowering the establishment of a FISH laboratory in Nigeria

How it started

It all started when my oncology research group received a grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) of Nigeria to study molecular markers of specific common cancers (including breast, prostate, cervix and lymphoproliferative malignancies).

One of our primary objectives was to establish a FISH laboratory by upgrading our existing cytogenetics facility in the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Nigeria.

Beginning our journey

• Embarking on this journey I visited my mentor, Professor Ghulam Mufti (Professor of Haemato-oncology, King's College Hospital, United Kingdom) who introduced me to Robert Dunn (Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service, King's College Hospital, United Kingdom) where we discussed the practicalities of establishing a FISH laboratory.
• We planned for Robert to visit my laboratory where he would help train my team on FISH procedures. Upon my return to Nigeria, Robert had kindly provided all the essential information and standard operating procedures (SOPs) required to upgrade our existing cytogenetics facilities and we were ready to set up our new laboratory.

Overcoming global challenges

• While we had planned to obtain the equipment, consumables and reagents for the laboratory, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and with public health measures in place, such as lockdowns, we experienced considerable delays with the laboratory set up.
• It was also not possible for Robert to travel to Nigeria, as planned, however we continued to communicate our challenges and progress as we continued to move towards establishing our new facility.

Partnering with OGT

• With things returning back to normal, I returned to Robert’s laboratory to refresh myself on the FISH procedures and once back in Nigeria, I was introduced to Richard Evans (Senior Business Development Manager EU & ROW, OGT, United Kingdom).
• Richard, and the team at OGT undertook a virtual tour of our lab and confirmed that the basic equipment for FISH set up and analysis was in place. Additionally, they provided support and advice for microscope set up, suitability of filters for signal pattern analysis and the protocols that needed to be put in place.
• OGT provided the CytoCell^® P53 (TP53) Deletion, CytoCell RARα (RARA) Breakapart, CytoCell MYC Breakapart, and CytoCell BCL2 Breakapart FISH probes for us to experience for ourselves. Additionally, Richard inspected our newly set up laboratory via video call and gave his approval for our workflow.