Clinical Pathology

Division of Molecular Diagnostics

Welcome to Molecular Diagnostics. The Division of Molecular Diagnostics provides timely and accurate assays for nucleic acid targets found in settings of germline and somatic genetics, and infectious diseases. The Division is staffed with 10 core FTEs who perform over 30,000 tests annually. We are open Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm.

The Molecular Diagnostics Division uses a variety of nucleic acid assays including a range of extraction methods, qualitative and quantitative PCR, Sanger and pyrosequencing, membrane and fluorescent in situ hybridization, hybrid capture, eSensor, and whole genome SNP microarray. Our test menu is listed below with more information in the Lab Survival Guide. Additional tests are continuously evaluated to bring in house and input from clinical providers is welcome.

Molecular Diagnostics Tests

Inherited and Somatic Genetic Diseases:

  • BRAF V600 mutations
  • Cystic fibrosis (CFTR 23-mutations)
  • Factor V Leiden mutation and Prothrombin G20210A mutation
  • Fragile X syndrome (including FX intellectual disability, FXPOI, and FXTAS; CGG repeat in FMR1)
  • HER2/ERBB2 DNA fluorescent in situ hybridization
  • Hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE C282Y, H63D, and S65C mutations)
  • Huntington disease (CAG repeat in HTT gene)
  • MTHFR C677T and A1298C variants
  • NRAS codon 12, 13, 61 mutations
  • Plavix pharmacogenetics (CYP2C19)
  • KRAS codon 12, 13, 61 mutations
  • Sample identity test (STR sample identity test)
  • Warfarin pharmacogenetics (CYP2C9/VKORC1)
  • Whole genome SNP-oligonucleotide microarray (germline and cancer; whole blood, fresh/frozen/FFPE tissue samples)

Infectious Diseases:

  • BK viral load quantification
  • CMV viral load quantification
  • Hepatics B viral DNA quantification
  • Hepatitis C viral RNA quantification
  • Hepatitis C virus genotyping
  • Detection of high risk HPV
  • HIV-1 viral load quantification
  • HIV-1 drug resistance mutation analysis

The Division of Molecular Diagnostics serves as a rotation/elective site for medical technologists, medical students, residents, and fellows to become familiar with fundamentals of molecular biology in clinical diagnostics. Trainees gain experience with laboratory activities including selection of tests and methods, processing and analysis of various types of specimens, and interpretation and reporting of test results.

Jianli Dong, MD, PhD, FACMGJianli Dong, MD, PhD, FACMG
Professor
Director, Molecular Diagnostics Division
Department of Pathology

Office: (409) 772-4866
Fax: (409) 772-5683
Pager: (409) 943-3258
jidong@utmb.edu

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