In 2007, I graduated with a 2.1 Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) degree from the University of the West of England. I joined NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in 2008 at their brand-new Bristol facility; initially to provide Quality Assurance support for the Blood Donor Testing department but subsequently moving to the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratory in 2009. I started as a trainee biomedical scientist (BMS) but completed my Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration to continue work as a fully qualified BMS. In 2013, I then moved to the Oxford H&I laboratory, a big decision prompted mainly to experience how the laboratory supported their local solid organ transplant programmes. During my time in Oxford, I progressed to BMS Specialist, continued education in my own time to complete the British Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (BSHI) Diploma, and gained HCPC registration to practice as a Clinical Scientist.
My roles in the H&I laboratory have grown and developed throughout my career, which included: working within the national platelet and granulocyte immunology laboratory, supporting local haematopoietic and solid organ transplant programmes, and contributing to 24/7 on-call rotas. I have extensive experience in relevant scientific protocols including immunofluorescence assays, various PCR-driven methods (including SSP, SSO, SBT, and NGS), HLA antibody characterisation, and CDC and flow cytometric crossmatching. However, I am also the current Editor of the national BSHI Newsletter, a role I perform in my own time; this is because I enjoy keeping up to date with H&I research and firmly believe that there is a need for constant evolution in scientific practice, as the problems of tomorrow cannot be solved with yesterday’s technology. Having worked closely with the VH Bio team for most of my career, I believe this new role provides a constructive way to use my extensive experience to evaluate emerging technologies which, if implemented correctly, could contribute to improved patient outcomes.
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Articles by Ali
15th December 2025
Overview Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative therapeutic option for many haematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Post-transplant monitoring is crucial to ensure durable engraftment, identify early risk of [...]
3rd November 2025
In the evolving field of transplantation and histocompatibility testing, chimerism monitoring remains a fundamental part of post-transplant care. However, the tools we use to measure donor and recipient DNA are evolving. The once‑dominant short tandem repeat (STR) method, robust, familiar, and dependable, [...]
8th July 2025
AllType™ Rapid In H&I, molecular typing has undergone regular transformation due to changing requirements for speed, precision, and flexibility. This is reflected in our history, with the end of the PCR-SSP era moving labs towards Luminex-based rSSO, the advent of rapid [...]
3rd April 2025
In the highly specialised field of transplantation, laboratory professionals rely on robust, efficient, and precise tools to provide critical data that informs life-saving decisions. With the release of HLA Fusion™ 4.7.1, One Lambda™ have delivered a software upgrade designed to complement [...]
18th November 2024
Why NGS Outperforms Traditional STR Analysis Intro Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the predominant curative treatment for more than 70 malignant and non-malignant diseases, with accurate post-transplantation monitoring being essential in promoting successful outcomes. Detection and tracking of donor-recipient cell [...]
14th August 2024
Automation in laboratory settings is far from a new concept. Many pathology disciplines, such as clinical chemistry and haematology, have relied on automation for years to enhance efficiency, reduce error rates, and increase throughput. As Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratories face growing [...]
7th September 2023
Figure 1. QuantStudio™ 6 Pro Rapid, accurate HLA typing is essential for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratories to successfully support deceased donor transplant programmes. Advancements in PCR technology have moved beyond basic thermal cyclers, and older generations of real-time PCR instruments have [...]
26th October 2022
Introduction The success of transplantation is inextricably linked with measures implemented to reduce rejection. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have a crucial role in defence via antigen presentation but, in the context of transplantation, are responsible for recognition of non-self thus initiating an [...]
10th March 2022
Here, Ali is put to the test with VH Bio’s staff Q&A! Learn about his role, background and hobbies in this exclusive interview: What is your name & job title? Mohammad Ali Rafique, but call me Ali; easier all round! I’ve just [...]
20th January 2022
We are pleased to introduce Mohammad Ali Rafique, who joined VH Bio in January 2022 as a Transplant Technical Sales Specialist. Hear about his background, his role at VH Bio and his hobbies: In 2007, I graduated with a 2.1 Biomedical Science [...]
