Next Generation Sequencing Symposium Prize Winner

Jenny Pearson-Farr, a PhD Student in Human Development and Health, was awarded the prize winner for her project entitled: “Functional gene mapping of endometrial gland phenotype to successful pregnancy” at the 8th Next Generation Sequencing Symposium.

The Symposium, which took place in May, brought together scientists with interests in the latest DNA sequencing technologies from across the Wessex region.

The interdisciplinary programme included presenters from the NHS, Public Health England, and Southampton colleagues from different faculties. Topics ranged from viral metagenomics and exploring the interactions of miRNA and mRNA in HIV latency, to the use of transcriptomics of marine cyanobacteria to the impressive use of NGS in the UHS to diagnose and treat devastating conditions.

This year's guest speaker was Dr Richard Scott, Clinical Lead for Rare Disease at Genomics England who highlighted ways of interpreting data from the 100,000 Genomes Project and how the GeCIP research consortium works internationally. 

The competition, which was open to Early career researchers, resulted in three shortlisted applicants who then pitched their proposal to the audience.  Jenny Pearson-Farr was voted the winner by the audience - in the close run competition.  Her prize is a £2,000 research award, sponsored by the IfLS, and an invitation to present the results at next years Next Generation Sequencing Symposium.

Jenny commented "Thank you to BINGS for hosting the conference and to the IfLS for supporting this exciting competition - a fantastic opportunity to pitch research from early career scientists.   I am interested in understanding the reasons behind recurrent miscarriage, an unseen burden on women and families.   This pilot grant will enable me to investigate the molecular mechanisms of recurrent miscarriage, by investigating RNA Sequencing in different cell types of the endometrium.   This work will be related to my 3D imaging work, to give further insight into endometrial function.”