by Christina Crowe
UAB Pathology and the Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics are pleased to announce a new next-generation sequencing (NGS) comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) Solid500 test which identifies and delivers genomic signatures for tumor mutation. The test also supports guideline-based therapy decisions and identifies genetic markers to help organize and differentiate clinical trial enrollment for various tumor treatments.
This FDA-cleared test for solid tumor has been performed in the Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, effective March 2, 2023. It targets 505 genes important in driving cancer—genes that would have mutations that would be significant in the growth and spread of cancer. It typically has a turnaround time of seven days from receipt of the sample results, and eliminates the need for tests to be sent out to reference labs.
“By having a big, comprehensive panel like this we span a spectrum of diseases that are all a form of solid tumors, so we can run one assay for many different diseases,” says Alexander “Craig” Mackinnon, M.D., Ph.D., GDB Division Director. This test represents about a tenfold increase in the number of genes we have the ability to test for, he says.
by Christina Crowe
Joseph L. Messina, Professor, Molecular and Cellular Pathology, will retire July 1, 2023, after 29 years of service at UAB.
Messina received his Bachelor of Arts in a combined degree of Biology/Chemistry/Psychology/and Anthropology from Dartmouth College in 1977. He then obtained his Ph.D. in 1982 from the Department of Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, working in the laboratory of the former Dr. Jack Kostyo. From 1982 to 1985, he worked as a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of the former Dr. Joseph Larner, Department of Pharmacology, in the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
by Hannah Buckelew
Rajasekaran Namakkal-Soorappan, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Pathology’s Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has been awarded a Transformative Project Award from the American Heart Association for his project, “Atrial Remodeling Precedes Ventricular Dysfunction in Proteotoxic Cardiac Disease.” This $300,000 award will run for three years, through 2026.
by Christina Crowe
Rakesh Patel, Ph.D., Director, Division of Molecular & Cellular Pathology, has been selected as the Chair of the NIH Training and Workforce Development Study Section starting in October 2023. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD) study sections review training grant applications (including graduate and medical scientist training (MSTP) programs) designed to foster the training and development of a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce.
Dr. Patel's appointment on the study section as a chartered member is for a two-year term starting October 1, 2023.
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