Molecular Pathology
Assays for Patient Care
Although we have incorporated many aspects of molecular diagnosis into existing laboratory areas, there remains a role for a separate laboratory facility that specializes in more basic approaches. It is often necessary to perform assays for patient care which are not sufficiently automated for performance in the core laboratory.
Provides Important Resources for Residents and Fellows
This facility provides not only a useful interface between the world of patient care and that of basic
research, but also an important resource for the training of Pathology
residents and
fellows.
Laboratory Focus
Currently, the laboratory focuses on:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify clonal rearrangements of either T-cell receptor or immunoglobulin genes.
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) capture assays to evaluate PAP smears from patients at risk for cervical carcinoma.
-
in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in lymphomas.
- PCR to identify the Factor V and prothrombin mutations responsible for hypercoagulability leading to vascular thrombosis in a significant number of patients.