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Molecular Diagnostics - Molecular Hematology

The Molecular Hematology Laboratory located at CLS’ Diagnostic and Scientific Centre in the University Research Park provides advanced molecular and biochemical testing in the area of blood coagulation, as well as molecular analysis for diagnosis and monitoring of patients with hematologic malignancies. As a regional centre for testing in hemostasis, the laboratory offers DNA molecular diagnostics (gene testing) for inherited disorders such as hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease, and for inherited risk factors in thrombosis. The laboratory works closely with the Special Coagulation laboratory at CLS to provide integrated reporting and interpretation of functional, antigenic and molecular data.

 The laboratory also provides advanced molecular analysis (e.g. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)) for diagnosis of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms and leukemias, and for monitoring patients for treatment response after tyrosine kinase inhibitors or chemotherapy, and disease recurrence and graft survival after bone marrow/stem cell transplantation.

 Technologies employed include: western blotting for Von Willebrand factor (vWF) protein multimer analysis, qualitative and quantitative PCR mutation detection for diagnosis and prognosis in acute leukemia, kinetic (real time PCR) for minimal residual disease determination, short tandem repeat (STR) and capillary electrophoresis for identity testing and hematopoietic cell chimerism analysis on whole blood, bone marrow and flow separated cells, modified inverse PCR (iPCR) for factor VIII gene inversion analysis in hemophilia A, and whole blood, hemi-nested allele specific PCR for inherited risk factors of thrombosis (MTHFR, Prothrombin, and Factor V Leiden).

 Our Clients include:  the Bleeding Disorders clinics in Calgary and in Edmonton, the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (TBCC), and Hematology/Oncology and Thrombosis/Hemostasis programs including; extra-regional clients in Red Deer, Lethbridge, medicine Hat, and South-Eastern British Columbia.  Molecular Hematology is also the provincial reference laboratory for detection of FLT3 and NPM1 gene mutations in patients with actue leukemias.

The laboratory participates in clinical research, method development, and medical education through accredited and advanced residency training programs (Pathology, Hematopathology and Clinical Hematology)

Staffing

Advanced testing requires a core of highly trained technical staff (all with undergraduate and/or Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) degrees), proficient in advanced molecular technologies, complex methodology, and with trouble-shooting, QA/QC, and method development skill sets. Laboratory currently employs 6.5 FTE equivalent technical staff and 1 Clinical Scientist.

Contact

Laboratory Leader:

Gary D. Sinclaire, PhD, AACLDS
Tel:  (403) 770-3594
Fax:  (403) 770-3738

Laboratory:

Michelle Engel, BSc (MLS), MLT2
Tel:  (403) 770-3699
Fax:  (403) 770-3786

Postal Address:

Molecular Hematology
Calgary Laboratory Services
9, 3535 Research Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2L 2K8

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