BSc Haematology
Basic biology of blood
Molecular basis of disease
Clinically-applied science
Learn generic skills
Novel treatments/cures
Meet the patients in clinics
BSc Haematology
Teaching takes place on two Campuses:
- St Mary’s Hospital
- Hammersmith Hospital
Generally, teaching is done in blocks
On any day is only on one Campus
BSc Haematology
1x 2-week
Introductory Course (Part A)
3x 5-week
Course Modules (1-3 – Part B)
Part A
Introduction to;
Part B
1) Haemoglobinopathies
2) Blood Transfusion,
3) Leukaemia
4) Haemostasis,
5) Scientific methods
6) Generic Skills
Part C
Research Project
Clinical or Lab
(..or Taught Course)
1. Haemostasis,
Abnormal Haemostasis
(Bleeding vs Thrombosis)
2. Leukaemia, Lymphoma,
& Multiple Myeloma
3. Red Cells & Erythropoiesis.
Thalassaemias
& Haemoglobinopathies
Module 1:
Haemostasis
1. What are the
components of a
haemostatic plug?
2. How does our body
respond to vessel
damage
RBC
Leukocyte
Fibrin
Platelet
aggregates
Module 1:
Haemostasis
1. What are platelets for?
2. What is primary haemostasis?
3. Why can people with thrombocytopenia or
VWD bleed?
4. How do antiplatelet agents (aspirin,
abciximab or clopidogrel) work and why
are they useful?
Module 1:
Haemostasis
1. What is secondary
haemostasis?
2. How does this complex start
clotting?
3. How are these images obtained
4. How are new antithrombotics
designed from such images?
Module 1:
Clinical Haemostasis - bleeding
1. Why does he bleed?
2. Why don’t any of his
sisters bleed?
3. How can he be
treated to lead a
normal life?
4. How has protein
engineering improved
his prospects?
5. Will gene therapy
provide a cure?
This boy has Haemophilia A
Module 1:
Clinical Haemostasis - thrombosis
This woman has DVT
1. How is thrombosis
manifest?
2. What are the risk factors
for thrombosis?
3. How safe are long haul
flights and the pill?
4. How do anticoagulants
and antithrombotics
work?
Module 2: Leukaemia, lymphoma,
multiple myeloma
1. What causes leukaemia?
2. How does understanding the
science help us manage
patients?
3. Do new wonder drugs (like
imatinib) cure leukaemia?
Module 2: Leukaemia, lymphoma,
multiple myeloma
This little boy has leukaemia
1. Why does leukaemia occur?
2. How do such diseases
present and how are they
diagnosed?
3. How can a disease be
acquired and yet be due to
defective genes?
Module 2: Leukaemia, lymphoma,
multiple myeloma
This elderly lady has
enlarged lymph nodes?
1. Could this be
leukaemia?
2. How would you find
out?
3. Can gene profiling
improve diagnosis?
Module 2: Leukaemia, lymphoma,
multiple myeloma
Module 2: Leukaemia, lymphoma,
multiple myeloma
Module 3: Red cells, thalassaemias &
haemoglobinopathies
This middle aged lady died
from a blood transfusion?
1. Why are transfusions
required and what are the
risks?
2. What are blood groups?
3. What is the progress on
alternatives to blood
transfusions?
Module 3: Red cells, thalassaemias &
haemoglobinopathies
This little boy has β-thalassaemia
major
1. How is this condition inherited?
2. How can one relate his genetic
abnormality to the
clinicopathological features?
3. How can our understanding of
disease inform treatment?
Module 3: Red cells, thalassaemias &
haemoglobinopathies
1. How does the
haemoglobin
molecule function?
2. How can haemoglobin
make the red cell change
its shape?
3. Why is this harmful?
4. What are the risks
associated with SCD and
what can we do about it?
Module 3: Red cells, thalassaemias &
haemoglobinopathies
These patients’ bone marrows have failed.
1. Why might fingers be altered by bone marrow failure?
2. How can inherited and acquired abnormalities lead to
bone marrow failure ?
3. What are the therapeutic options and how might
these be improved?
Module 4: Research project
~30 lab/clinical projects available.
Haematology projects (and the alternative taught
modules) are allocated on the basis of student choice
and then academic achievement.
“ADAMTS13 and its role in Von Willebrand Disease"
“Cloning of leukaemia cell lines transduced with fusion oncogenes”
"The expression of human telomerase RNA and dyskerin mRNA in patients with
dyskeratosis congenita"
“Sensitivity of leukaemia cell lines to new cytotoxic drugs”
"The Role of the Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cell in Megakaryopoiesis"
“Regulation of stem cell proliferation by interaction with lymphocytes”
“Centrosomal proteins in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?”
“Does HIV infection complicate the diagnosis of thalassaemia?”
Projects mainly on Hammersmith Hospital Campus; a smaller number are at St Mary’s
Publications from past students include:
Note:
Publication of work from projects requires both originality and quality!!!
Haematology BSc - Overview
Very popular course!
Friendly teachers who really want to impart their
knowledge and help you discover things for
yourselves.
Internationally renowned clinicians & scientists
Can accept 40 students.
Comments for past Haematology students
“I really enjoyed the BSC and project. The project was the
biggest thing I have done.” IW
“I thoroughly enjoyed my Haematology BSc and project.” AM
“I enjoyed this year, I gained transferable knowledge, improved
research & writing skills.” CD
“The course was not my first choice….I would now consider
haematology as a speciality.” PH
“A good mix of clinical and experimental medicine with all
modules very well taught.” ZI
“I thoroughly recommend this course as it covers a wide range of
diseases that are of major clinical significance. It is well
taught and supervisors are friendly.” SB
Haematology BSc - Overview
A BSc that is of great clinical relevance
Thrombosis & cancer
Thrombosis & cardiovascular disease
Bleeding/thrombosis & surgery
Sepsis
Cancer biology
Leukaemia
Transfusion
SCD
Thalassaemias
Diagnosis & treatment
Genetic & molecular bases of disease
An opportunity to understand an exciting branch of medicine
in the forefront of many scientific advances
A unique opportunity to meet patients with the disease you
are studying-from DNA analysis to the bedside
BSc Haematology
Basic biology of blood
Molecular basis of disease
Novel treatments/cures
Meet the patients in clinics