Pathology

Molecular Pathology

Molecular Pathology Rotation

For Molecular Pathology, the goal of this four-week rotation is to expose the resident to the principles and practice of diagnostic molecular pathology in the day-to-day laboratory setting. Using primarily a case-based learning system supplemented with didactic and selected reading material, the resident will be exposed to our laboratory's diverse applications in molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases, cancer, and individual identification by DNA fingerprinting. The resident will observe and participate in all aspects of specimen handling, case workups, and results reporting. Key molecular biologic procedures such as the polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing, and next-generation sequencing will be introduced. In addition, the resident will be exposed to quality assurance activities such as internal quality control and inter-laboratory proficiency testing; laboratory management including specimen triage, budgeting, licensing, accreditation, patent issues, ethical and legal issues, and decisions regarding new test development and interfacing with other clinical laboratories; and communication with referring clinicians and genetic counselors. Residents will also be exposed to our Orphan Disease Testing Center, dedicated to the molecular diagnosis of rare genetic disorders, to our Clinical Genomics Center, where the comprehensive sequencing of a patient's entire exome (all of the coding regions in the genome) is performed and interpreted for a variety of clinical indications, and to outpatient and inpatient consultative activities in medical genetics. Time permitting, there will be opportunities for independent research and developmental projects.

Resident Responsibilities

  • Observation of molecular testing procedures (as desired) and interpretation of test results (daily)
  • Preview cases, draft reports, and signout with Directors (daily)
  • Journal club presentation (one per month)
  • Tissue adequacy assessments for solid tumor testing (as needed)

Meetings/Conferences

  • Genomic Databoard (Tuesdays, 1-2pm)
  • Medical Genetics Post-Clinic Conference (Tuesdays, 4-5pm)
  • Solid Tumor Databoard (Tuesdays, 3-4pm; Thursdays, 1-2pm)
  • Molecular Beaker Meeting (Wednesdays, 10-11am)
  • Hematopathology and Hematology Conference (3rd Wednesday of the month, 12-1pm)
  • Heme Panel Databoard (Thursdays, 3-4pm)
  • Molecular/Cytogenetics Educational Meeting (Fridays, 10-11am)