In April, Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) leadership announced a change in molecular-genetic operations that will take effect this summer.
UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will create a new entity, the Warren Sanger Genetics Laboratory, which will be operated by Nebraska Medicine beginning July 27. As part of this integration, the Human Genetics Laboratory currently at MMI will join with the Nebraska Medicine Laboratory system.
“The molecular genetic testing market is rapidly evolving and is becoming extremely competitive,” said Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute. “To continue to thrive in this arena, protect our workforce and ensure a successful future, MMI and Nebraska Medicine will merge molecular genetic operations, which will be under the management of Nebraska Medicine laboratories.”
According to Dr. Mirnics, this collaboration will:
- Integrate molecular and genetic diagnostic testing among all partners
- Ensure that highly specialized tests such as Karyotyping, Cytogenetics, FISH and Next Gen Sequencing will continue to be available in our region
- Assist with recruitment of highly skilled and specialized MDs, PhDs and technologists
- Integrate molecular diagnostic report results into Epic for use by Nebraska Medicine and UNMC clinicians, as well as Community Connect partners throughout the region
- Position the integrated lab to increase local, regional and national client base
- Reduce duplication of resources
- Build a fertile arena for research and development while investing in long-term sustainability
MMI will house the Human Genetics Laboratory until an alternative location is identified. Lab personnel will be part of the new Warren Sanger Genetics Laboratory.
“We look forward to welcoming approximately 30 UNMC employees to Nebraska Medicine this summer,” said Julie Lazure, Nebraska Medicine vice president of operations. “They will be a great addition to our team and I’m confident that by working together we will find new opportunities for collaboration and integration.”