UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Diagnostic Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics

The Division of Diagnostic Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, under the direction of Allison Cushman-Vokoun MD, PhD, consists of four laboratories dedicated to the evaluation of biomarkers for precise diagnosis and treatment of disease,  stem cell and solid organ transplantation and human identity analysis.  These laboratories utilize the most up-to-date and innovative technologies in order to provide the most advanced care and precision analysis. 

The Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Laboratory’s primary focus is molecular oncology, using many technologies, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), to genomically-profile various cancers and assist oncologists in the targeted treatment of their patients.  The Warren G. Sanger Human Genetics Laboratory uses karyotyping, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and SNP array to assess for inherited diseases and support cancer diagnosis and therapy.  Transplantation at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine is highly reliant on accurate donor and recipient profiling performed by the Histocompatibility Laboratory.  Finally, the Human DNA Identification Laboratory analyzes DNA for legal entities and for tissue provenance.  

This division also provides many invaluable educational experiences to medical students, residents, fellows and medical technology students, including an ACGME-accredited Molecular Genetic Pathology (MGP) Fellowship and a future ACGME-accredited Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) Fellowship.   These laboratories also support translational research throughout the UNMC campus.

Sections

Histocompatibility

The Histocompatibility Laboratory, under the direction of Jesse Cox, MD, PhD, provides testing services to support solid organ and bone marrow transplant programs at Nebraska Medicine, as well as other programs throughout the region. The laboratory also provides state-of-art human leukocyte antigen typing to assist in assessment of disease associations and in a variety of medical situations, including platelet transfusion support and drug sensitivity profiling.

Call 402-559-5104 or 402-559-7625 regarding test availability. Medical or technical questions can be directed to Dr. Cox at 402-559-4186.

Human DNA Identification Laboratory

This lab provides methods for determining the person of origin for biological specimens. These methods can be applied to resolve issues of parentage, as well as suspected tissue or body fluid specimen misidentification. We also provide testing of physical evidence for law enforcement agencies and private attorneys. Application of our methodology can be used to determine identity in the following circumstances:

  • Paternity/parentage. This service is provided only to law enforcement.
  • Physical evidence for law enforcement agencies and private attorneys.
  • Patient tissue/body fluid misidentification.

Our laboratory has provided DNA-based testing since 1996. We also provide testing to verify tissue culture cell line identity for basic science researchers.

Human Genetics Laboratory

The Warren G. Sanger Human Genetics Laboratory is a full-service cytogenetics and molecular genetics laboratory specializing in both constitutional and acquired disorders. We combine comprehensive genetic testing with personalized clinical consultation to provide the very best in genetic medicine to every client and patient served.  Zhenya Tang, MD, PhD, is the lab's medical director, who works with Changqing Xia, MD, PhD, who has expertise in clinical cytogenomics and molecular genomics.

HGL testing, billing, preauthorization and supply orders can now be found through Regional Pathology Services. Contact Dr. Tang at 402-559-3139 with medical or technical questions.

Molecular Diagnostics

This is a full-service clinical laboratory offering tests in all areas of molecular diagnostics, including infectious disease, inherited conditions, molecular hematology, molecular oncology, and pharmacogenetics. The comprehensive test menu is continually being updated with the newest diagnostic tests to help clinicians and pathologists provide the most appropriate and state-of-the-art care.  Allison Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, and Jesse Cox, MD, PhD are the laboratory's medical directors and are board certified in molecular genetic pathology with expertise in solid tumors and inherited diseases.

For medical or technical questions, please contact Dr. Cushman-Vokoun at 402-559-4186.