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Education & Training

The Molecular Diagnostics Division 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.

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 probe
  • Molecular hybridization
  • Polymerase chain reaction
  • Southern hybridization analysis.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Develop a plan to apply molecular diagnostic techniques in your workplace.

Continuing Education Credit

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. VCU designates up to 80 hours in Category 1 of the AMA Physician's Recognition Award (AMA-PRA) for this activity. Physicians should claim only the number of credit hours they actually spend in the educational activity. This continuing education activity meets the criteria of Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Eight continuing education units will be awarded and recorded with VCU for non-physicians.

For additional information, contact Ikem I. Ezedi, Practicum Coordinator, Molecular Diagnostics Division, Office: (804) 628-2578; Fax: (804) 225-4738; iezedi@mcvh-vcu.edu.