Skip to main content

Staff Profile

Claire Schwab

Research Cytogeneticist

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 241 8795
  • Address: Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group
    Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre
    Level 6, Herschel Building
    Brewery Lane
    Newcastle-upon-Tyne
    NE1 7RU
Background

I am a State Registered Clinical Cytogeneticist and I worked for 7 years in the National Health Service. I now have over 10 years research experience. Since moving into research in 2008, I have led a range of projects in the field of genetics of acute leukaemia in children. I have been responsible for the introduction and integration of novel molecular tests (fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and genome-wide SNP array) into routine practice within the UK acute leukaemia treatment trials.


Qualifications

  • PhD by published works - Identification and Characterisation of Cytogenetic Subgroups in Childhood B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia  Newcastle University (2018)
  • Registered Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council (HPC)(Since Feb 2005)
  • BSc (Hons) Genetics Newcastle University (2000)   

Prizes

  • Newcastle University Medical Sciences Doctoral Prize for Outstanding Thesis (2019) 

Funding

  • Co-applicant on Blood Cancer UK Continuity Grant (2021-23) - “Refined risk stratification for children with acute myeloid leukaemia treated on Myechild 01 and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on UKALL2011”


Google scholar: Click here

Research

In contrast to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with >90% survival rates, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in children has a high relapse rate (30-40%) and although a rare disease remains a major cause of childhood cancer mortality. In previous UK AML treatment trials, children were classified and treated alongside adult patients. Recently, an international treatment trial specifically for childhood AML, MyeChild 01 has recruited more than 700 patients (0-18 years) from centres in the UK, Republic of Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. Risk stratification for treatment was based on diagnostic cytogenetics and limited molecular markers. In ~70% of childhood AML, a fusion gene, NPM1 mutation or FLT3-ITD was detected. The remaining 30% had no prognostic marker.


As part of my role within the Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group (LRCG), I am the genetics co-ordinator for the Myechild 01 trial. This role involves curation and integration of all standard-of-care genetic data generated within the regional NHS genetic laboratories to ensure accuracy of results. I designed the testing algorithm for the rare (often cryptic) risk stratifying abnormalities, developing and refining specialist genetic tests throughout the trial. This algorithm was adopted in UK and Australasia.


During the trial, I also oversaw the collection of diagnostic bone marrow samples from the individual treatment centres, with approval from MyeChild 01, for transcriptome (RNAseq) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). The resulting cohort consists of >600 samples with high quality DNA and RNA, linked to excellent genetic and clinical annotation. My current research is focused on maximising the output from this precious dataset.

Teaching

Student Supervision


MRes: Project Supervisor for ten MRes students (2012-2022)

BSc: Project Supervisor for ten undergraduate students (Biomedical Sciences) (2012-2022)


Lecturing

BGM 3060 - Diagnostic Medical Genetics (2016-present)




Publications