Genomic Medicine

Compulsory modules:

• Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Human Genetics and Genomics (15 credits)
• Omics Techniques and Technologies; Their Application to Genomic Medicine (15 credits)
• Research Project (60 credits or 30 credits)

Plus at least three from:

• Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease (15 credits)
• Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Diseases (15 credits)
• Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Cancer Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment (15 credits)
• Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare (15 credits)

Plus between one and four from:

• Advanced Bioinformatics (15 credits)
• Genomics of Cardiovascular Disorders (15 credits)
• Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Applied Genomics (15 credits)
• Fetal Genomics (15 credits)
• Genomics of Neurological Disorders (15 credits)
• Introduction to Counselling Skills in Genomics (15 credits)

Please note that students must have completed the Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis module before starting the Advance Bioinformatics module. 

This award can be tailored to suit your career goals and interests.

If you would like to discuss the module options available, please contact the Admissions Tutor Dr George Wardley for more information. 

Option 1:

• Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis 
• Fundamentals of Human Genetics and Genomics 
• Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Cancer Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment
• Omics Techniques and Technologies; Their Application to Genomic Medicine 
• Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare

Plus 3 from:

• Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease
• Genomics of Cardiovascular Disorders
• Fetal Genomics
• Ethical, Legal and Social Perspectives on Genomics or An Introduction to Counselling Skills in Genomics
• Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Disease
• Genomics of Neurological Disorders

Option 2:

• Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease
• Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis
• Ethical, Legal and Social Perspectives on Genomics or Genomics of Cardiovascular Disorders or An Introduction to Counselling Skills in Genomics
• Fundamentals of Human Genetics and Genomics
• Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Diseases 
• Omics Techniques and Technologies; Their Application to Genomic Medicine
• Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare or Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Cancer Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment 
• Plus any one other module (not excluding those already listed)

Compulsory modules:

• Fundamentals of Human Genetics and Genomics
• Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Disease

Plus two from:

• An Introduction to Counselling Skills in Genomics or Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Applied Genomics
• Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease
• Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis
• Genomics of Cardiovascular Disorders
• Fetal Genomics
• Genomics of Neurological Disorders
• Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Cancer Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment
• Omics Techniques and Technologies; Their Application to Genomic Medicine
• Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare

Compulsory module:

• Omics Techniques and Technologies

Plus two from:

• An Introduction to Counselling Skills in Genomics or Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Applied Genomics
• Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease
• Genomics of Cardiovascular Disorders
• Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Disease

Plus one from:

• Bioinformatics
• Fetal Genomics: Decoding the Blueprint of Human Development
• Genomics of Neurological Disorders
• Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment
• Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare

Compulsory modules:

• Advanced Bioinformatics
• Bioinformatics

Plus two from:

• Application of Genomics to Infectious Disease
• Fetal Genomics
• Genomics of Cardiovascular Disorders
• Genomics of Common and Rare Disease
• Genomics of Neurological Disorders

This module builds upon and extends the module “Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genome analysis ” and further explores state of the art bioinformatics pipelines for genetic data in a clinical context, suitable for studying genetic variants underlying Mendelian diseases, cancer genetics, and RNA expression data using Galaxy, and also introduces the student to basic Bioinformatic data skills using the command line, R/RStudio and Bioconductor. The student will learn about the landscape of tools for read mapping and variant calling and how they are suitable for different types of genetic data and analysis. Lectures will be combined with hands on computer workshops/tutorials, where students can practice designing their own bioinformatics pipelines in the Galaxy environment. They will work with real gene expression, rare disease and cancer genomics datasets. The course will also provide a primer for working with large genetic datasets using command line tools, scripting bioinformatics pipelines and using R/RStudio and Bioconductor to analyses and explore and visualise NGS and other ‘Omics data.

*Students aiming to do the Advanced Bioinformatics module will have to complete the Bioinformatics module first. No prior knowledge in programming is required for either module. You will learn R-coding in the Advanced Bioinformatics module and, although you might find it challenging at first, your module leads will provide you with plenty of support and guidance.

Students doing the Advanced Bioinformatics module will need to download free VPN software and set up a VPN connection to be able to access our cloud computing facilities in advance. You can find a guide about how to do this on macOS, Linux or Microsoft Windows and the VPN configuration file.

The teaching sessions of this module will cover the basics of pathogen genome biology, methods for whole genome sequencing (WGS) applied to pathogens and bioinformatic analysis of pathogen genomes. Numerous examples will demonstrate the relevance of infectious disease genomics to key topics such as antimicrobial resistance, diagnostics, vaccine design, disease surveillance, host susceptibility to infection, public health epidemiology and clinical management of patients.

The application of WGS and implications of pathogen genomics from a perspective of healthcare pathways and public health for its future impact will be the key focus for your study. The sessions will be interspersed with a series of case studies and research papers for self-directed study, taken from a limited reading list comprising exemplar organisms from the recent literature. The sessions explore and present multiple examples of pathogens and genomics: TB drug therapy; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli outbreaks; Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA; STI diagnostics and resistance; HIV, influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic; pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccine design and surveillance.

Together the sessions, self-directed learning and associated resources form the defined knowledge base for the module. The literature and other reading materials provide the students with the basis for extended self-study and as a foundation for the module’s summative assessments.

The module will cover the fundamental principles of informatics and the impact of bioinformatics on clinical genomics. Students will be expected to be able to find and use major genomic and genetic data resources; use software packages and analysis tools for big data and undertake literature searches to critically assess, annotate and interpret findings from sequence data and genetic variants. Theoretical sessions will be coupled with practical exercises involving the analysis and annotation of predefined data sets.

This module will equip the student with the essential skills to analyse genomic data, applying professional best practice guidelines. Upon completion of this module students will be able to understand how bioinformatics is used to analyse, interpret and report genomic data in a clinical context. Students will also be equipped to utilise the 100,000 Genomes Project data set if relevant for their research project.

*No prior knowledge in programming is required for this module

Students will be provided with a platform of ethical understanding from which to consider issues of confidentiality, privacy and disclosure, autonomy, welfare, informed consent and justice. Upon this platform, students will consider the impact of genomic technologies on individual lives and public discourse. The social implications of the availability of genetic testing and screening will be considered, especially in the context of reproductive technologies. Finally, students will be provided with a discussion of legal issues surrounding the use of genetic information as well as the use of genetic data for research, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

There have been rapid advancements in genomics technologies and their increasing application in prenatal medicine. In today's modern age, where litigation rates in obstetrics and fetal medicine are increasingly high, the need for accurate diagnosis, interpretation, and transparent communication of genomic results has never been more pressing. This climate demands practitioners are adept in employing the latest technologies and conveying complex genetic information clearly and compassionately to patients.

The fetal genomics module aims to bridge this critical gap, providing the necessary training and insights to support precise diagnostics, risk assessments, and patient-centric communication, thereby reducing the potential for legal complications and enhancing trust within the patient-provider relationship. This module ensures that students are proficient with the latest techniques and are attuned to the societal, legal, and ethical aspects of prenatal genetic testing. The module reflects the need for a multidisciplinary approach in genomics medicine, paving the way for more informed decisions and personalised care in maternal and child health.

This module will cover the structure and variations in the human genomics, including fundamental principles of genetics and genomics. Students undertaking this module will review the architecture of the human genome and the functional units embedded in it. Students will also cover aspects of gene regulation and chromatin structure and consider the importance of the epigenome in these processes. In addition, this module will cover DNA sequence variation and structural variation; how this sort of variation is normal but that sometimes it can be associated with disease. Classic chromosomal abnormalities will be described and the mechanisms that lead to them explained. Students will learn about monogenic and multifactorial genetic disorders and how gene mapping and sequencing can be used to identify causal and contributory variants. In essence, this module covers what the genome is, what abnormalities can arise and how they arise, as well as how they can be detected.

This module explores the burden of cardiovascular disease and the underlying contribution of genetics to these diseases. Students will receive refresher sessions focused on cardiac function as well as being introduced to the key diagnostic tools used in cardiology. They will learn about the major arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies which can lead to premature and sudden death. By studying genetic causes of lipid disorders students will understand the impact of rare and common genetic variants on the risk of coronary heart disease. The contribution of "big data" and the development of gene panel tests will be discussed to demonstrate some of the benefits that genomic medicine can offer to this group of diseases. Students will hear about the role and challenges of genetic counselling in inherited cardiac conditions.

This module uses exemplars of both common and rare diseases from across the entire healthcare spectrum to demonstrate the clinical utility of genomic data in the healthcare setting.

The module examples give an insight into how advances in genomic technologies and integration of genomic data into clinical pathways are impacting on the management of patients from the prenatal setting, through paediatrics and into adult medicine and cancer.

The module will explore the clinical presentation and genetic architecture of disease, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of genomic data for a myriad of common and rare inherited conditions using expertise from across SGH/GSTT/SGUL/KCL. We will explore traditional and current approaches used to identify genetic predisposition to common and rare inherited diseases, focusing on the latter, within the context of clinical diagnostics.

We will learn how to select patients with unmet diagnostic needs that will benefit from exome or whole genome sequencing, and some of the complexities involved in the interpretation of genomic data in the clinical context. We will also discuss the Genomics England, genomics medicine services and data infrastructure.

This module explores the contribution of genomics to neurological disorders. Students will receive refresher sessions focussed on neuroanatomy and the development of the neurological system followed by an introduction to the key diagnostic tools used in neurology. They will learn about the major neurological disorder categories which have a high genetic contribution. The module will explore the value of the multidisciplinary team in phenotyping, interpretation of results, management and family communication.

This module will provide students with an introduction to general communication skills and specific counselling skills used in genomic medicine. Students undertaking this module will be taught how to communicate and provide appropriate support to individuals and their families. Development of counselling skills will be achieved via theoretical and practical sessions through the use of role play within an academic setting. Students will understand the importance of a family history and communication of pathogenic and/or uncertain results.

The module will guide the students from a basic introduction in cancer biology, to comparing molecular and pathological information applied in the diagnosis, classification, treatment of cancer. We will look at immuno-oncology, early detection, and predisposition of cancer, and the use of molecular data and diagnostics in clinical trials. In addition, we will introduce basic machine learning methodologies and different molecular technologies of tumour tissue in the context of target identification, and biomarker development to capture their clinical relevance.

This module explores current genomics techniques used for DNA sequencing (e.g. targeted approaches, whole exome and whole genome sequencing) and RNA sequencing, using highly parallel methodologies, together with current technologies routinely used to investigate genomic variation in the clinical setting. This module will introduce the bioinformatics approaches required for the analysis of genomic data. The module will also cover the use of array-based methodologies and RNA sequencing in estimating levels of protein expression, micro RNAs and long non–coding RNAs. An introduction to metabolomics and proteomics, which are important for the functional interpretation of genomic data and discovery of disease biomarkers will also be included. Students will also learn about the strategies employed to evaluate pathogenicity of variants for clinical reporting.

The module will provide an overview of the techniques and analytical strategies used in pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics and explore some of the challenges and limitations in this field. Moreover, the module will use examples of known, validated pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomic tests, relevant to the use of drug treatments.

This is an ideal option for students taking the MSc part-time and working at the same time.

Students will be undertaking original research and writing it up in the style of a journal review. They will need to use language, style and formatting of the scientific literature that they have read when it comes to writing up.

The project can be carried out in any appropriate research university or hospital department or industry environment with joint supervision, i.e., supervisors from both the hosting department and the course.

Students will use both the theoretical knowledge they will acquire throughout the taught part of the course and the analytical skills they will develop in order to tackle a research question by themselves. Undertaking of the research project will involve formulating the question, acquiring and analysing the data and finally presenting and discussing the results. The project can be carried out in the hosting NHS laboratory, research department and industry under joint supervision i.e. tutors from both the hosting department and the programme. Research projects should be presented in the format of a paper for publication (additional figures and tables can be presented as supplementary material).

When completing your application, you will be asked to provide contact details of two referees. Please ensure these details are accurate. As soon as you have submitted your application, your referees will be contacted by the university asking them to upload a reference to your online application.

One must be a recent academic reference. The other should be either a second academic reference or a professional/employer reference. They should cover your suitability for the course and your academic ability.

Your referees should know you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. We do not accept references from family, friends, partners, ex-partners or yourself.

We will send reminder emails to your referees but it is your responsibility to ensure that contact details are correct and referees are available to submit a reference. References should be uploaded within two weeks of making your application.

Clinical Senior Lecturer in Experimental Medicine at King’s College London

Dr Amanda Fitzpatrick MBChB is Clinical Senior Lecturer in Experimental Medicine at King's College London, and an Honorary Medical Oncologist at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital. She completed a PhD at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in 2019 investigating the genomics and biology of breast cancer leptomeningeal disease, funded by an MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship. Her current research activities focus on central nervous system metastasis from solid tumours, with a particular focus on liquid biopsy, tumour evolution and disease modelling.

Senior Lecturer in Medical Ethics at St George’s, University of London

Dr Anna Pacholczyk is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Ethics at St George’s, University of London. She specializes in philosophical bioethics and neuroethics. Her main field of interest is ethics of new technologies in medicine (such as genetic technologies, stem cell therapies and neuro-technologies). Among other topics, she is interested in the ethics of AI, deep brain stimulation, enhancement, and ethical issues surrounding the use and development of human brain organoids. She serves as a lead for Medical Ethics and Law for the medical programme, and leads undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in ethics and medicine, including being a module co-lead for postgraduate Genomic Medicine module entitled Ethical, Legal and Social perspectives on Genomic Medicine.

Anna studied cognitive science (BPS Accredited), and after some placement work with patients with dementia, she decided to further study healthcare ethics and law at postgraduate level. After obtaining her MA and PhD from the Manchester School of Law with the focus in healthcare ethics and bioethics, she worked at the University of Bristol, as well as KCL before moving to a lectureship position at City St George’s, University of London where she currently is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Ethics.

Leader of the Genome Stability Lab at King’s College London

Dr Graeme Hewitt is the leader of the Genome stability lab King’s College London. The lab was established with a CRUK CoL Radnet fellowship and is interested in understanding cellular mechanisms of DNA damage repair and how these can be targeted to treat cancer. The genome stability group utilise functional genomics to pick apart the molecular mechanisms of different DNA repair pathways and the interplay between them. Currently the lab is focused on understanding vulnerabilities and resistance mechanisms in response to different modalities of radiotherapy. Graeme has expertise in DNA damage repair, telomere biology, ageing and cancer and methodologies such as whole genome CRISPR screening and live cell imaging. Graeme is a deputy module lead for the molecular pathology of cancer module on the Genomic Medicine Master’s.

Professor of Molecular Neurobiology at King’s College London

Guy Tear is Professor of Molecular Neurobiology at King’s College London. He is a geneticist that uses Drosophila as a model organism to understand genetic mechanisms that control establishment of neural circuitry and to gain insights into the normal and pathological function of proteins that contribute to neurodegenerative disease.

Prof Tear has held several educational management positions including Head of Biochemistry (2007-2014 and 2022-2024) and Head of Genetics (2015-2022). Prof Tear delivers teaching at all educational levels across fifteen modules, he is KCL module lead for the Research Project modules. His teaching skills are recognised annually by nomination for awards and by his award of a King’s College Education Award in 2022 for Expanding Opportunities.

He completed his PhD in the Genetics Department at Cambridge University investigating the genetic control of early development of the embryo. He was awarded an EMBO Long Term Fellowship to complete postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. Prof Tear returned to the United Kingdom in 1996 as a MRC Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College, London before moving to the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at King’s College, London as Senior Lecturer in 2000. He was promoted to Professor of Molecular Neurobiology in 2004.

Principal Genetic Counsellor in the South West Thames Centre for Genomics

Harriet McMillan is a Principal Genetic Counsellor in the South West Thames Centre for Genomics, based at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Harriet is part of the rare disease and prenatal team and has a specialist interest in Neurogenetics. Harriet studied Biology (BSc) at the University of Nottingham. She completed the 2 year MSc in Genetic Counselling at the University of Manchester with Distinction in 2017. In 2020 Harriet became a registered member of the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB). The GCRB register has since been transferred to the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS). Harriet spent 5 years working as a Genetic Counsellor in the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine before joining the team based at St George’s in 2022.

Professor in Epigenomics at King's College London

Jordana Bell is a Professor in Epigenomics at King’s College London, UK. Her research explores the genomic basis of complex traits in human populations, focusing on epigenomic variation. Jordana’s primary research focus is to understand the processes that shape epigenetic variation in human populations, and its biomedical significance to human ageing and age-related cardio-metabolic disease.

Jordana completed her doctoral studies on genetic interactions in complex traits at the University of Oxford. She was subsequently a Wellcome Trust funded fellow at the Universities of Chicago and Oxford, where her work shifted to epigenomics. Since joining King’s in 2012 Jordana has established a research program in human population epigenomics, focusing on twins, and is currently leading research efforts across UK-based and international cohorts and collaborative consortia. More broadly, her research explores how computation genomics and multi-omics can be applied to help characterize human disease pathophysiology and lead towards stratified treatments.

Reader in Human Genetics at St George’s, University of London

Dr Everett read Biology at the University of York before moving to Cambridge University to pursue an MPhil in Biological Anthropology. After a year working in industry, she started her PhD at Cambridge University, funded by Cancer Research UK. The aim of this work was to elucidate the genetic basis of cutaneous malignant melanoma by using melanocytic naevi as a proxy risk measure. This was followed by a move to UCL where she stayed for 7 years before moving to St George's in 2010. Dr Everett's research now focuses primarily on neurogenetics, with an emphasis on identifying the genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Since joining St George's in 2010, she has established research links with the clinical genetics team at St George's University Hospital NHS Trust. Her education portfolio spans many undergraduate and postgraduate courses at St George's. She has been involved in the MSc Genomic Medicine since it's inception in 2015 and is currently Deputy head of the Graduate School with oversight of all taught postgraduate programmes at the Tooting campus.

Lecturer in Cardiovascular Science at St George’s, University of London

Dr Marta Futema is Lecturer in Cardiovascular Science at the Cardiology Research Centre at St George’s, University of London. Her research overarches genetics, bioinformatics and functional genomics approaches to understand causes of inherited cardiovascular diseases. She has a strong focus on genetic aetiology of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH), from rare variants to polygenic risk scores. Her work has had an impact on the UK clinical guidelines on FH, the NICE Guidelines.

Dr Futema qualified in Medical Biotechnology from University of East London, followed by PhD in Cardiovascular Genetics from UCL Genetics Institute, University College London. She held two postdoctoral positions at UCL before taking up the independent research post at St George’s, in 2021. She remains as an honorary Senior Research Fellow at UCL.

Dr Futema holds a Fellowship of Advance HE and contributes to postgraduate teaching at City St George’s, UCL and Queen Mary University of London, which includes supervision of PhD students. She is the module leader for Cardiovascular Genetics and Genomics (MSc Genomic Medicine (SGUL-KCL)).

Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics at King’s College London

Dr Mohammad Mahdi Karimi holds a B.Sc. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tehran Polytechnic (2002), an M.Sc. degree in Biomedical Engineering from University of Tehran (2004), and a PhD degree in Computing Science from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada (2009). He has since served as an MSFHR Research Associate at the University of British Columbia, a Research Scientist at Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, and the Head of Bioinformatics at MRC London Institute of Medical Science, before joining King's. He is one of the team leaders to develop the Epigenomic Data Coordination Centre for Canada.

His main research interest is to provide visual analytics and machine learning solutions for multi-omics data integration and analysis towards the discovery of diagnostic and therapeutic targets and predictive models for haematological malignancies.

Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Medway Maritime Hospital

Dr Muriel Holder is a Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Medway Maritime Hospital. She provides private clinical genetics services at the Portland hospital as well as video consultations.

Muriel started working as an NHS consultant in clinical genetics at Guy's hospital in June 2012 and was head of service between 2020 and 2023. She previously trained and worked in clinical genetics at Lille University Hospital in France as a speciality registrar for four years and as a lecturer for six years. She graduated from Cochin university in Paris. She furthered her training at the Necker Hospital in Paris, as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. She speaks French and English fluently. She is the clinical genetics representative at the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Co-chair of the Genomics Standing Committee for the Royal College of Obstetric and Gynaecology.

Muriel has wide clinical and academic experience with a PhD and habilitation to supervise research in Clinical Genetics and has played a crucial role in more than 100 publications over the years. She teaches King’s College London’s students.

She is a Trustee for HF Mencap and has been heavily implicated at JED (a Franco-Belgian Charity) representing the scientific committee’s board for more than 15 years funding research projects in paediatric neurology and ophthalmology.

Her research interests are focused on limb differences, dysmorphology, dermatology and vascular diseases as well as fetal medicine and pre-implantation genetic testing. In light of this, she has set up a multidisciplinary monthly Clinic for patients with congenital limb differences at St Thomas’ Hospital.

Consultant in Clinical Genetics at the SW Thames Centre for Genomic Medicine

I am a Consultant in Clinical Genetics in the SW Thames Centre for Genomic Medicine based at St George's University Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer at St George's, University London.

I specialist in Neurogenetics with particular interests in Huntington's Disease and other adult onset neurodegenerative disease and I am a Trustee for the Huntington's Disease Association as well as on the Executive Board of the European Huntington's Disease Network. I have also developed expertise in the Genomics of Epilepsy and am a visiting Clinical Geneticist to the Epilepsy Genomics Clinic at the ULCH, National Society for Epilepsy.

I work in close collaboration with neurology, neuropsychiatry and other medical professionals and understand some of the challenges in mainstreaming genomics so I am also passionate about multidisciplinary working and improving genomics education to ensure robust diagnoses and clear communication for families affected by genetic disorders.

Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine at King’s College London

Dr Panicos Shangaris graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2005 and pursued higher specialist training in London at renowned institutions such as University College London (UCL), the Royal Free London, and North Middlesex Hospitals.

He enrolled in a Master's degree program at University College London (UCL), where he received a distinction in Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Genetics. Opting for deeper academic engagement, he embarked on a PhD at UCL. Under the supervision of Professor Anna David and Professor Paolo De Coppi, Panicos specialised in treating genetic blood disorders via fetal stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. Once he earned his PhD, Panicos took up a position as an NIHR Clinical Lecturer at King's College London (KCL). With a focus on Maternal and Fetal Medicine, he gained clinical experience at institutions such as Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals and King's College Hospital (KCH).

Panicos currently holds the position of a Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine at King's College London and King’s College Hospital. His work has significantly advanced the field of prenatal therapy for sickle cell disease and the immunology of pregnancy.

One of his major projects, the Prenatal Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (PERICLES) project, focuses on developing and assessing gene-editing technologies and delivery methods in human and mouse fetal hematopoietic stem cells. This project aims to provide a therapeutic option that could lead to the birth of disease-free individuals, which is particularly transformative for regions where sickle cell disease is prevalent and treatment options are limited.

In addition to his work on sickle cell disease, Panicos is deeply involved in studying the immunology of pregnancy. His research emphasises the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in maintaining a balanced immune environment, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. This work is part of his commitment to understanding and enhancing maternal and fetal health through innovative prenatal therapies and immunological studies.

Panicos supervises BSc, MSc, and PhD students and leads new initiatives like the Fetal Genomics module in the MSc program in Genomic Medicine. His collaborative efforts with noted researchers such as Professors Kypros Nicolaides, John Strouboulis, and Giovanna Lombardi have enriched his work and contributions to the field.