Professor Nigel Patrick Groome
Date of birth: 17th March 1948
Oxford Brookes University award presentation ceremony (2008).
June 2018
2024
Serono meeting on inhibin. Tokushima. Japan 1996
After I had developed the first clinical inhibin A assay in 1994, and the first inhibin B assay in 1996 I was invited as the only UK speaker at this symposium in Tokushima Japan. The other speakers were mostly from Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and the USA. You can see me marked on the right, second row from the back. I was aged 48 at the time. Before me, no one had been able to develop the high quality antibodies needed to measure inhibin A and B in human blood. By that time I was supplying assay materials from Brookes to many collaborating groups represented by some of the delegates shown.
By this time I had measured inhibin A and B through the human menstrual cycle for the first time. I had filed a patent on the use of inhibin A in prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome, proved that blood inhibin B was the functional inhibin controlling FSH in men and shown its direct relationship to sperm count.
My career has been based on a particular practical skill of generating unique antibody research tools. I interacted with many excellent research groups around the world and thus amplified the impact of my own contribution into areas of clinical practice where I had no personal expertise.
It has been a pleasure to train others to make antibodies and then to see those antibodies turned into routine tools in hospitals and used for medical research.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), diplomat, scientist and inventor said that man is a “tool making animal” and medical research and clinical practice always depends on the tools available. Universities are preeminent for generating tools and know how but it is largely public and private commercial organisations who can manufacture products and get them to where they are needed. Universities and industry can form very productive synergistic relationships without compromising academic research goals and publication.
I enjoyed working at Brookes University and believe that in teaching, research and in the generation and exploitation of IP the relationship has been beneficial to both sides. The royalty income to the University from my products has been steadily increasing in recent times and it seems likely this will continue into the foreseeable future. It pleases me that tens of millions of women around the world have already had inhibin A or B tests or AMH tests originating at Brookes University, done on their blood for prenatal screening or infertility investigations. I would like to continue my association with Brookes so long as I can contribute and remain in good health.
I retired from Oxford Brookes University in April 2008 having worked there for 30 years.
Nigel Groome
(Emeritus Professor Oxford Brookes University)
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.