Molecular Diagnostics Practicum

Application of Molecular Techniques in the Clinical Laboratory

The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory offers a two-week Molecular Pathology Practicum once every month at their clinical diagnostics laboratory on the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University; teaching knowledge and skills. Please take the time to review Molecular Diagnostics Clinical Services.  

Topics 

Our two week Practicum provides you with instruction, skills development and hands-on experience in clinical laboratory molecular techniques. Topics and techniques include:

• Methods to isolate DNA from clinical samples
• Preparation of nucleic acid probes
• Molecular hybridization
• Polymerase chain reaction
• Sequencing
• Next Generation Sequencing

We emphasize the use of these techniques in oncology, microbiology, and genetics.

Objectives

Through didactic presentations and laboratory work, you will understand practice issues involved in molecular diagnostics and you will get the experience you need to analyze and apply them.

Upon completion of our Practicum, you will be able to:

• Understand the basic vocabulary and concepts of molecular diagnostics. Perform the following techniques: DNA extraction, RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, Real time PCR, ELISA-PCR, RFLP-PCR, sequencing and STR analysis. Interpret test results. Identify areas of Pathology where molecular techniques can be used.
• Develop a plan to apply molecular diagnostic techniques in your workplace.

Presenters 

References available upon request.