The Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit is a specialist service based at St George’s Hospital. It provides a comprehensive diagnostic service for immunology across the South West London Pathology network. The department hosts one of two Supraregional Assay Service Protein Reference Units in England UK and serves an extensive client base nationally and internationally, receiving samples from over 100 referring hospitals.
The Protein Reference Unit was established in 1971 under Professor J.R.Hobbs at Westminster Hospital, London. Professor Hobbs was an expert in the analysis of serum proteins, including immunoglobulins. After a brief relocation in 1992 to the Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford, the Protein Reference Unit settled at St George’s Hospital.
The Protein Reference Unit maintains its specialist interest and skills in protein analysis, particularly relating to immunoglobulins, including cryoglobulins and heavy chain disease investigations.
The wide and diverse UKAS-accredited repertoire of tests carried out by the Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit help to exclude, diagnose and monitor a variety of immunologically-based diseases including:
- allergy
- immune deficiency
- hematological malignancy
- autoimmune disease.
Expert advice is available from our Consultant Clinical Scientist team around appropriate investigation of clinical problems and the interpretation of results. This includes encouraging the most appropriate use of immunology tests and ensuring our service develops to meet changing clinical requirements.