“Eureka!” Imagine those words echoing not from a badly lit train, but from within the very walls of the Coombs-Wolfson Laboratory.
The Coombs-Wolfson Laboratory stands as a testament to medical advancement. It embodies the spirit of scientific discovery. But to truly appreciate its significance, we need to understand the legacy of one of its namesakes, Robert Royston Amos Coombs.
Coombs, an immunologist, devised the Coombs test. This “gold standard” test diagnoses autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. It also diagnoses haemolytic disease in rhesus positive babies of rhesus negative mothers. The test detects rhesus incompatible blood during cross matching. These conditions involve antibodies that damage red cells. Standard tests struggled to detect these antibodies.
One day on a wartime train, Coombs had his “eureka” moment. He realised a second, “bridging” reagent could make red cells aggregate. This would form the basis of a diagnostic test. With Arthur Mourant and Rob Race, Coombs confirmed his idea. They published their method in The Lancet and the British Journal of Experimental Pathology.
Coombs helped establish the British Society of Immunology. His work had a huge international impact. His textbook Clinical Aspects of Immunology included his classification of allergic reactions. The book remained in print for over 30 years.
Now, fast forward to the present. The Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre is a major research facility within the University of Cambridge. It brings the latest imaging research to cognitive and clinical research. The WBIC works with scientists across the University and the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit.
Opened in 1996, the WBIC initially housed a GE PET scanner and a Bruker 3T MRI system. Its location near a Neurosciences Critical Care Unit allows research into acute head injury. This research is difficult in standard radiology departments. The WBIC also provides research platforms for neuroscience themes. These include dementia, stroke, neurosurgery, and cognitive neuroscience.
The centre has strong links with the University Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry. It also collaborates with the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. Over the years, the WBIC has seen significant upgrades. In 2006, a Siemens TIM Trio 3T scanner replaced the Bruker system. In 2008, a Siemens 3T Verio system was added.
Recent infrastructure investments have further enhanced the facilities. The WBIC now boasts a Siemens 7T Terra MRI scanner. Also available are a Siemens 3T PrismaFit scanner, a Siemens 3T SkyraFit scanner, a GE 3T PET/MR Signa scanner, and a hyper-polariser system.
The Coombs-Wolfson Laboratory stands as a beacon of hope. It offers advanced technology. It fosters collaboration. It translates groundbreaking research into tangible benefits for patients. As you stand here, consider the countless discoveries made within these walls. Think about the lives touched by the dedication of the scientists who work here. The legacy of innovation continues.