Professor Nigel Patrick Groome
June 2018
2024
Serono meeting on inhibin. Tokushima. Japan 1996
Date of birth: 17th March 1948
Oxford Brookes University award presentation ceremony (2008).
Career Overview: Nigel Groome, Emeritus Professor of Applied Immunology, Oxford Brookes University
A central theme of Professor Groome’s career has been the development of antibody-based tools for measuring reproductive hormones — work that began at Oxford Brookes University in the early 1990s and has since shaped clinical practice worldwide.
Inhibin A and B
In 1994, Professor Groome and his team developed the first clinical research assay for inhibin A, followed two years later by the first inhibin B assay. These were significant achievements: producing the antibodies needed to measure these hormones in human blood had previously proved extremely difficult. The new assays enabled the first measurements of inhibin A and B across the human menstrual cycle, and materials were supplied to collaborating research groups around the world.
That same year, in collaboration with Dr Euan Wallace of Edinburgh University, a patent was filed on the use of inhibin A in prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome. According to official figures from the American College of Pathologists, by 2011 this test was being used to screen approximately three million pregnancies annually in the United States. Subsequent work with Dr Peter Illingworth and others demonstrated that inhibin B is the functional regulator of FSH in men, with a direct relationship to sperm count.
In 1998, under the direction of Barry Wheatley of Oxford Brookes, a spin-out company — Oxford Bio-Innovation (OBI) — was established as a joint venture with Serotec Ltd to manufacture and sell inhibin ELISA kits commercially. Barry Wheatley led the venture in its early years, with Lisa Mynheer playing a key role in the manufacture and sale of the kits. In 2000, OBI was acquired by Diagnostic Systems Laboratories (DSL) for around £1 million, and DSL was subsequently acquired by Beckman Coulter in 2005. The inhibin A assay was optimised for clinical use by Dr Javad Khosravi and converted to a fully automated format on the Beckman Access platform in 2007. A second-generation inhibin B assay, incorporating a new Brookes capture antibody, was launched by Beckman in 2010.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
Between 2000 and 2003, as part of a European research consortium (“Ovage”) with Professor Axel Themmen of Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Brookes team developed a monoclonal antibody pair suitable for measuring Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) across multiple species. This antibody pair was licensed to DSL in 2004 and transferred to Beckman Coulter the following year. It was subsequently sub-licensed to Roche, Siemens, and Fujirebio, enabling AMH assays to be launched on fully automated diagnostic platforms. The Beckman and Roche assays launched in 2014, Fujirebio in 2019, and Siemens in 2024. All except the Fujirebio assay have received FDA approval for ovarian reserve testing; the Roche assay also holds CE marking for the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Legacy and Impact
The royalties generated by these assay products continue to provide long-term income for Oxford Brookes University, funding over 100 three-year doctoral studentships — advertised externally as Nigel Groome PhD Studentships. It is estimated, based on sales data, that more than 100 million women worldwide have been tested using assays dependent on antibodies originating at Brookes, in contexts ranging from prenatal screening to fertility assessment.
Professor Groome retired from Oxford Brookes in April 2008 after thirty years of service. He remains grateful to the many colleagues, students, clinicians, and commercial partners whose contributions made this work possible, and hopes to remain connected with the University for as long as he is able to contribute.
Nigel Groome
Emeritus Professor, Oxford Brookes University
HOW TO READ THIS WEB SITE
This website is intended as a record of my career in biomedical research, particularly the development of hormone assays. It is not designed as self-promotion, but as documentation of work that has had practical impact and of the many colleagues, students, organisations and collaborators who made it possible.
Where I describe “firsts” or large numbers of tests, these are factual and based on published papers, patents, or royalties and sales data. I have also included acknowledgements of the many individuals and companies who contributed to the success of this work.
My aim is to provide a clear, accurate summary for students, colleagues, and anyone interested in the history and impact of this research.
If there is any factual inaccuracy or misrepresentation of any facts please let me know by the contact information at the end of the web site.
Nigel Groome
September 2025
Professor Groome talks about his work
Event at Oxford Brookes in 2015 sponsored by the Oxford Biosciences Network (OBN).
MAIN CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF OXFORD BROOKES ANTIBODIES
(WRITTEN BY AI CHATBOT GPT)
1. AMH for Ovarian Reserve
Overall, the reliable automated AMH tests developed by Roche and Beckman Coulter using Professor Groome’s antibodies have revolutionized fertility treatments by providing accurate, actionable insights into ovarian reserve. They help to select women suitable for egg freezing and IVF and help to choose an optimal and safe dose of the hormone used (FSH) to stimulate the ovaries. The Roche Elecsys AMH assay has been CE marked in 2024 for diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS), a major cause of infertility. This has led to more confident, personalized, and optimized fertility care for women worldwide, enhancing their chances of successful conception and pregnancy.
See these videos of worldwide clinical use of AMH tests:
2. Inhibin A, inhibin B, and AMH for Granulosa Cell Cancer
The use of Inhibin A, Inhibin B, and AMH for monitoring recurrence in granulosa cell tumors is of immense importance to individual women. It provides a reliable method for assessing the effectiveness of surgery and early detection of recurrence before symptoms. It enables timely intervention and offers psychological benefits by reducing uncertainty and anxiety. These biomarkers are critical tools in the long-term management and follow-up care of women with this rare type of ovarian cancer.
3. Inhibin A, Inhibin B, and AMH for Intersex Disorders and Puberty Disorders
AMH, Inhibin A, and Inhibin B are essential markers in diagnosing intersex disorders in childhood and detecting abnormal puberty or reproductive development. These biomarkers provide valuable information about gonadal function, helping clinicians diagnose and manage conditions related to sex development and pubertal disorders. Their roles in assessing ovarian reserve, testicular function, and overall reproductive health make them indispensable tools in pediatric endocrinology and reproductive medicine.
4. Inhibin A in Prenatal Screening for Down’s Syndrome
Since the development of the first Inhibin A assay by Professor Groome in 1994 this has played a crucial role in prenatal screening. Its inclusion in the quad test has significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of screening, helping to identify at-risk pregnancies more effectively. Despite the advent of newer screening technologies, Inhibin A remains a key marker in prenatal screening programs globally, underscoring its historical and ongoing importance in maternal-fetal medicine.
5. Inhibin B in Male Reproduction
Since the introduction of the first Inhibin B assay by Professor Nigel Groome in 1996, Inhibin B has become a cornerstone in the study of male fertility. Its role as a marker of Sertoli cell function and spermatogenesis has made it invaluable in diagnosing and managing male infertility. The assay has not only enhanced clinical practice but also driven research and the development of new treatments, significantly impacting the field of male and female reproductive medicine.
Dame Katherine Grainger on Professor Nigel Groome’s research | Oxford Brookes University
Dame Katherine Grainger was Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University from 2015 to 2020. After serving in this role, she became the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow in 2020.
Dame Katherine Grainger’s Olympic medal achievements are remarkable, as she is Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in rowing.
REF2021 Impact Case Studies
The REF is a process of expert review, carried out by expert panels for each of the 34 subject-based units of assessment (UOAs), under the guidance of four main panels. Expert panels are made up of senior academics, international members, and research users.
Oxford Brookes submitted two research impact case studies based on my work.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
1969 BSc (honours) Birmingham University, Biochemistry
1970 MSc Birmingham University, Virology
1975 PhD London University, Virology
1978 MSc London University, Immunology
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1970-1978 Lecturer in biochemistry, Bromley College of Technology, Kent
1978-1985 Senior Lecturer, Oxford Polytechnic
1985-1992 Reader, Oxford Polytechnic
1992-2008 Professor of Applied Immunology, Oxford Polytechnic/Oxford Brookes University
2008- Emeritus Professor Brookes University Oxford
2010-2011 Director of Monoclonal antibody laboratory Anshlabs LLC Houston TX
PAST TEACHING ACTIVITY:
Biochemistry, immunology and aspects of microbiology.