Dr Kathy Hardy at work at Cytolabs. Photo by Lindsay Murray
A recent visit to Perth, provided an opportunity to meet Dr Kathy Hardy, Cytogeneticist, in person. Kathy and her laboratory, “Cytolabs”, have been provided invaluable karyotyping services to our members over the past 10 years. Without her assistance the BWCSA would not have been able to work towards elimination of Robertsonian Translocation (RT) from the Australian herd. Some members may not be aware of how fortunate we are to have access to this service and the remarkable woman that lies behind this extraordinary laboratory.
Cytolabs might be hidden away in a suburban Perth cul-de-sac but behind those doors operates a remarkable cytogenetics laboratory with an international reputation for excellence in teaching, research and clinical cytogenetic services.
As a 14-year-old high school student in country Western Australia, Kathy may not have been taken entirely seriously when she announced to her biology teacher that she intended to become a Geneticist. However, that is exactly what she would do. The first step was a move to Perth where she completed a science degree at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Botany and Plant Genetics.
After graduation, her first job monitoring water quality with the Water Board proved rather unsatisfying and she quit to become a driving instructor. A few years later, she successfully applied for a post in the genetics laboratory of the newly-established state pathology laboratory. From then on there was no holding back her passion for cytogenetics as she helped develop the techniques for pre-natal screening of chromosome disorders using amniocentesis.
After moving to Curtin University, Kathy undertook a PhD making important contributions to the understanding of the chromosomal basis of first trimester miscarriages (in humans). During this time, she also supervised undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in Cytogenetics and helped establish a cytogenetics service in Malaysia.
Then in 2003, Kathy made the decision to set up her own Cytogenetics laboratory – Cytolabs. Her vision of providing international best practice clinical cytogenetics services including teaching and research has certainly been realised. Countless scientific papers have been produced, many in collaboration with international laboratories. Women and their doctors across Australia depend on Cytolabs to get answers as to the cause of first-trimester miscarriages.
All the while Cytolabs has remained open to also doing animal cytogenetics including for laboratory mice, cattle, horses and dogs making many important contributions to various industries. Making time for the animal work is largely a result of Kathy’s intellectual curiosity. In the case of BWCSA, she agreed to take on our cytogenetics analyses as a favour to old colleague and mentor – Dr Graham Webb – who had initially assisted the Society in determining the extent of Robertson Translocation within the Australian herd and who had wanted to ensure ongoing services to the Society prior to his untimely death.
During my visit to Cytolabs, I was impressed how this world-class laboratory had retained the friendly, old-fashioned atmosphere that so reflects Kathy’s optimism and enthusiasm. Today she is supported by two sons, Phil and Rod (both cytogeneticists!), her husband Phil (IT support) and scientists Ben, Dayna and Jade. A really family affair!
And when she isn’t working in the lab, Kathy keeps busy on her 50-acre property in the Perth hills.
Despite her busy schedule, Kathy made time for a tour of the laboratory showing me where our samples are received along with human samples from all over Australia. All samples are carefully logged, spun down and set up for culturing prior to preparation of slides to examine karyotypes in dividing cells. Then it was time for a delicious homemade lunch in the lab tearoom and more chatting!!
Thank you, Kathy, not only for your invaluable expertise but your generosity and willingness to provide this service to our Society given your incredible workload. The BWCSA is indeed fortunate to have access to such wonderful resource.
Kathy’s tips for successful karyotype result:
- Collect sample in lithium heparin tube WITHOUT gel.
- Express post to Cytolabs on a Monday to make sure the samples arrive in Perth in time to be logged and processed before the weekend.
- Samples should ideally be posted with icepack but do not allow sample to come into direct contact with ice.
- Be patient, it will take at least a week from receipt of samples until results can be read and Kathy checks every single result personally.
By Dr Lindsay Murray
