VCU news

By Erin Lucero
Office of Development, School of Medicine

RICHMOND, Va. – A newly renovated genetics lab at Virginia Commonwealth University will provide Central Virginia with advanced testing technologies that will be used to determine a patient’s diagnosis, prognosis and best possible treatment. The $1.5 million renovations have tripled the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory’s previous space and will allow the lab to expand its testing capabilities in HIV and cancer.

"Most people are familiar with DNA tests that are used by law enforcement to distinguish between suspects in a crime," said Carelton T. Garrett, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Molecular Diagnostics Lab at VCU’s Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. "Using the same type of technology, we use molecular testing to analyze the DNA and RNA of viruses and bacteria that cause diseases, illnesses and disorders."

The field of molecular testing gained momentum in the mid-1990s when it was used to test for the presence of HIV. It is now being used more widely for patients with a variety of diseases and inherited disorders.

Established in 1994, VCU’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab has seen its testing volume grow 30 percent annually. Last year, the lab handled 9,000 specimens. Up to now, VCU’s lab has focused primarily on detecting the viruses that cause AIDS, hepatitis C and a specific form of blindness. In the renovated space, its focus will expand to include two new diagnostic technologies.

The first is a study designed to detect mutations in HIV that make the virus resistant to drugs designed to combat it. It is the first large-scale effort to use molecular testing to allow physicians to select more appropriate drugs for individual patients.

In addition, the lab will begin using DNA chip technology, a tool that is useful in cancer diagnosis and treatment because of its ability to evaluate the thousands of possible genetic mutations that are present in a single tumor.

"There’s growing evidence that this testing will be essential in the diagnosis and monitoring of certain types of cancers," said Garrett. "There also will be increased demand to apply this type of testing to other fields as human genome research sheds light on the genetics behind different diseases and disorders. What we’re doing today is only the tip of the iceberg."

Most labs that do molecular testing focus either on research or on clinical testing. However, VCU’s lab is a hybrid – combining the highly specialized abilities of research labs found in the biotechnology industry with the rigorous quality control procedures required in clinical testing facilities. Because of this flexibility, the lab is able to translate new research advances into tests that are useful for patient care.

The Molecular Diagnostics Lab is unique in Central Virginia. Its new 6,400-square-foot space includes two large testing laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and safety features, patient waiting rooms and office and meeting space. According to Garrett, in addition to improving patient care in the areas of infectious disease, cancer and genetic disease, the lab also will support the university’s clinical and basic science research programs.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies VCU as a Carnegie Research-Extensive university. Each year, VCU faculty members attract about $120 million in sponsored research funding. MCV Hospitals, the teaching hospital of VCU, is the largest medical center in the state. Its programs have been repeatedly ranked among the best in the nation.