Charles Okayo D’Harrington

Charles is a scientist driven to make a real-world impact within the High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) core facility. Echoing Socrates' belief that "knowledge is virtue," his journey into the world of genomics began with a simple yet profound philosophy: "Let thy food be thy medicine." This ignited a fascination with the interplay between food and human health, leading him to pursue a BSc in Food Science & Technology at Egerton University in Kenya.

He then delved into the dynamic world of the food and beverage industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. For three years, he navigated the complexities of product development, manufacturing, and marketing. But a deeper calling beckoned – a desire to unravel the mysteries of human biology and directly combat diseases.

To pursue this goal, Charles earned an MSc in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Bath in the UK. He then joined Oxford Biomedica, a leader in gene therapy development, where he became a virtuoso in bioanalytical science, ensuring the quality and safety of life-altering treatments. His contributions spanned a range of critical projects, including:

• The release of 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine: A pivotal moment that underscored the power of scientific collaboration in addressing global health crises. 
• Phase 3 clinical trials for FCX-007: A pioneering gene therapy using a patient's own skin cells to treat Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, a devastating genetic skin disorder. 
• Method validation for a novel manufacturing process that optimized the production of a multiple myeloma gene therapy using an HIV-1 platform, advancing the fight against this complex cancer.

Equipped with this diverse experience, Charles joined The Pirbright Institute as a key member of the HTS core facility. He now acts as a genomic guide for researchers across the institute, particularly those focused on virology, immunology, and single cell analysis. He harnesses the power of cutting-edge sequencing platforms – Illumina, Nanopore, and 10X Genomics – to generate the high-quality data that fuels their groundbreaking research. By providing this essential service, he empowers scientists across the institute to delve deeper into disease modelling, diagnostics, and vaccine development, accelerating the pursuit of life-saving advancements.