The Institute of Lung Health encompasses respiratory research organizations including the University of Leicester Department of Respiratory Sciences, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. As a research placement student, the author's role was processing samples for COVID-19 and COPD studies in the sputum cytology laboratory, which normally measures airway inflammation but shifted focus to support COVID-19 research during the pandemic. The author gained valuable experience in laboratory skills and processing samples for clinical trials and research.

1. Institute of Lung Health
Leicester
Shane Carias

2. 2
The Institute of Lung Health
• The Institute for Lung Health encompasses the
University of Leicester Department of
Respiratory Sciences, the NIHR Biomedical
Research Centre and the University Hospitals of
Leicester NHS Trust.
• NIHR Biomedical Research Centre –
Respiratory focuses on developing novel
therapies for treatment and understanding the
mechanism of various lung diseases such as
severe asthma, chronic cough and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

3. 3
Institute of Lung
Health
University of
Leicester Department
of Respiratory
Sciences
NIHR Biomedical
Research Centre –
Respiratory
Sputum cytology lab
– clinical trial and
research
University Hospitals
of Leicester NHS
Trust
6 lab team members:
Tissue acquisition manager, lab project manager,
research assistant, research technician and 2
placement students

4. 4
My role as a research placement
student
Research student technician working in the sputum
cytology laboratory within the respiratory department
• The lab expertise in measuring eosinophilic airway inflammation for clinical
testing, clinical trials and research for airway diseases such as asthma.
• Sputum cytology procedure measures airway inflammation.
• HOWEVER, as this was during COVID-19, the lab shifted to supporting COVID-19
studies instead, specifically Post-HOSPitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID).
• It was only after second lock down, where the usual clinical trial/research studies
started opening back up. One of them is called COPD-HELP trial.
• We also did sample processing for other research/clinical trial studies.

5. 5
PHOSP-COVID
• The first UK wide study assessing the
impact of long-term effects of COVID-19
on the health outcomes of patients that
were hospitalized.
• The main aims were understanding the
mechanism driving consequences of
COVID-19 post hospitalization, impact of
interventions and develop platform for
future in-depth studies.
COPD-HELP
• A clinical trial to compare the effects of
mepolizumab (drug used to treat asthma)
with a placebo in participants who were
admitted for an exacerbation of
eosinophilic COPD.
• The aim is to find out whether
mepolizumab can reduce exacerbations in
patients with eosinophilic COPD, reduce
chance of re-admission as well as death.

6. 6
Overview of my
day to day
Our main responsibility was
processing and storing the
samples for the research studies.
We did not do any data analysis.
Record keeping and completing data collection worksheets.
Processing blood, urine, oral wash and sputum samples for research
studies.
Producing and staining slides for differential cell counts.
Using lab equipment including pipettes, centrifuges, Shandon cytospin 4,
fume hood, class 2 cabinets, microscopes, and haemocytometer.
General admin tasks such as answering phone calls, producing audit
forms, and producing shipment forms etc.
Using OpenSpecimen (a tissue tracking system) to scan samples and
allocate its location.
Following COVID-19 safety measures e.g. disinfecting samples upon
reception and work surfaces, wearing PPE etc.
General upkeep of the lab such as stocking up on general lab
consumables, organizing, and receiving laboratory deliveries.

7. 7
Blood sample procedure for PHOSP-COVID
Receipt of blood samples
from research nurses
Centrifuge blood samples
Aliquot plasma into
cryovials
Store inside -80C freezer
ready for shipment

8. 8
Application process
• 4 months application process
• Applied in December
• Shortlisted for an interview and lab tour in February
• Got back to me at end of March to let me know I was accepted.
• Had help with my CV and cover letter
• Lots of interview prep
• Luck was also involved : )

9. 9
My thoughts on the placement
• Invaluable experience
• One-year paid placement
• Wet lab – very hands on experience
• Gained a lot of skills and knowledge such as lab equipment,
competent in processing samples, team-working etc
• Building my social connections in the industry
• Reaffirms my interest in research
• Helps me to stand out

10. THANK
YOU!
Shane Carias
B8013033@my.shu.ac.uk
Email