Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
Aims Statement
The aim of our Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship program is to train the fellow in the theory and practice of Molecular Diagnostics and Molecular Pathology such that they are able to independently run a Molecular Diagnostics Lab, provide Molecular Genetic Pathology consultation service, undertake research in the field of molecular pathology, and/or apply their training to future fellowships or training programs. The Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship provides teaching and practical experience in molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, clinical medical genetics, HLA typing, next generation sequencing for cancer cases, and clinical lab management to achieve this goal.
Overview
The Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-accredited program sponsored by the Department of Pathology. Fellows rotate through the Molecular Diagnostics labs at UT Southwestern’s BioCenter and Children’s Health℠ Children’s Medical Center. The fellowship also incorporates clinical rotations in Clinical Genetics at Children’s and Parkland Hospital, and Cancer Genetics at Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Fellowship qualifies the trainee to sit for the American Board of Pathology (ABP) Molecular Genetic Pathology certification examination and/or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics certification examination.
Program Description
The laboratory rotations train fellows in molecular assay development, validation, troubleshooting, interpretation, and independent sign-out along with lab management and clinician consultation. Experience in real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, Illumina and Ion Torrent next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, fragment analysis, methylation PCR, Sequenom mass spec, liquid handler robots and nucleic acid extraction are provided. We run clinical assays for single cancer gene mutation analysis, NGS cancer panels, comprehensive (1,500 gene) NGS panels,NGS epilepsy panel, pediatric developmental delay assays, infectious agents (CMV, EBV, VZV, HHV6, BK, HIV, HPV, HCV, CT, NG, SARS-CoV-2), IgH/TCR clonality, FLT3, MSI, p53, NPM1, coagulopathies, bone marrow engraftment, MGMT methylation, and 1p19q LOH.
A series of formal lectures in cancer biology, molecular microbiology, and medical genetics are given throughout the year. Fellows will participate in journal clubs, molecular and clinical conferences, and can attend UT Southwestern basic science and clinical conferences to fit their interests. Involvement in a translational or clinical research project is expected. Elective rotations in cytogenetics, FISH, DNA arrays, and HLA are available. Fellows share office space with hematopathology and cytogenetics fellows, along with pathology residents and other visitors.
Research
The Molecular Diagnostics Lab research includes development of new research and clinical assays and their applications to oncology and infectious disease.
Requirements
Candidates should be Board-eligible or certified in AP, CP, or Medical Genetics. At this time we do not accept H1b visas or non-MD/non-DO candidates.
Benefits
- Financial support to attend conferences
- Educational funds
- Laptop
- Additional benefits dependent upon program