Jul 11, 2016 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing
The National Institute of Health’s ClinVar public database of genetic variation is demonstrating good accuracy, and a handful of clinical labs are learning to share and review this relatively small genetic database
In the analysis of genomic variants, data sharing is proving to be an important tool for researchers, scientists, pathologists, and clinical laboratory scientists.
Accessible databases like ClinVar, which was launched by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2013, have emerged to aggregate genetic sequencing with acceptable results. ClinVar exists to meet the needs of the medical genetics community. It collaborates with organizations to make pertinent genetic information available.
ClinVar is an archive of compiled data relating to genotype and phenotype variations among humans. Through this database, individuals can present and peruse submissions regarding variants found in patient samples.
ClinVar is averaging about 6,000 submissions per month by both commercial laboratory companies and reference labs. Major contributors to the database include: (more…)
Jun 24, 2016 | Digital Pathology, Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology
This low-cost solution opens new doors for low-resource regions and, in many cases, allows operators to rule out malignancy without the need for a pathologist to review biopsies
Rapid development of endoscopic technologies is bringing medical professionals closer to point-of-care pathology than ever before. The goal is to allow physicians to identify diseased or cancerous tissue in situ and reduce or eliminate the need to biopsy tissue for examination by surgical pathologists.
Researchers at Rice University in Houston are developing a high-resolution microendoscope (HRME) that offers the ability to view tissue at a subcellular level. This fiber optic probe would reduce the need to collect the biopsy that is typically sent to anatomic pathologists for analysis.
Measuring 1-mm in diameter, the probe works using the existing accessory channel of the endoscope. Touching it to the surface of the tissue provides real-time in vivo images to the technician at up to 12 frames per second on an accompanying tablet display. Images are enhanced using visual overlays and an algorithm that highlights the nuclei of cells within the field of view. The HRME system is battery powered and fits in a briefcase for easy transport. (more…)
Jun 15, 2016 | Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing
The decision means Walgreens will no longer offer Theranos blood-collection services at any of its stores, a move that is expected to cut Theranos’ income sharply because the lab testing company would no longer have a significant source of medical laboratory test volume
Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:WBA) is ending its relationship with Theranos Inc. and closing all 40 Theranos Wellness Centers at its stores in Arizona, effective immediately, the national pharmacy chain store company announced on Sunday, June 12. It means that Theranos will no longer be able to collect medical laboratory specimens at pharmacies owned by Walgreens.
This move follows a decision by Walgreens in January that Theranos could no longer send clinical laboratory tests collected at Walgreen’s Wellness Centers to the Theranos lab in Newark, Calif. In the fall, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) cited the Newark lab as the source of serious deficiencies that risked patient harm, CMS said. (See Dark Daily, “CMS Notifies Theranos of CLIA Sanctions That Include Revoking Clinical Laboratory’s CLIA License and a Two-Year Ban on Holmes, Balwani, and Dhawan,” April 14, 2016.) (more…)
Jun 6, 2016 | Digital Pathology, Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing
Utah-based Tute Genomics and UNIConnect will partner with Newborn Screening Ontario to uncover rare but treatable diseases in newborns
In the Canadian province of Ontario, next-generation gene sequencing will soon be part of newborn screening. This development is another confirmation for clinical laboratory managers and pathologists that genetic information from such diagnostic testing is contributing to improvements in clinical care.
Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) is teaming up with Tute Genomics of Provo, Utah, and UNIConnect of Sandy, Utah, to enhance the province’s testing program for rare but treatable diseases in newborns.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is contracting with NSO to offer a next-generation sequencing testing panel and a multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification assay for the diagnostic confirmation of a variety of disorders. (more…)
May 27, 2016 | Digital Pathology, Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology
Understanding the unknown functions of these genes may lead to the creation of new diagnostic tests for clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups
Once again, J. Craig Venter, PhD, is charting new ground in gene sequencing and genomic science. This time his research team has built upon the first synthetic cell they created in 2010 to build a more sophisticated synthetic cell. Their findings from this work may give pathologists and medical laboratory scientists new tools to diagnose disease.
Recently the research team at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) and Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI) published their latest findings. Among the things they learned is that science still does not understand the functions of about a third of the genes required for their synthetic cells to function. (more…)
May 25, 2016 | Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing
Blood genotyping is one type of DNA test this miniature lab can perform as entrepreneurs work to take DNA testing out of medical laboratories and into other settings
It had to happen! There’s now a product designed to allow individuals to perform “do-it-yourself” DNA testing. Pathologists and clinical laboratory managers will be interested to learn that—for less than $800—they can acquire their own home set-up, which includes a PCR thermocycler, a centrifuge, a gel electrophoresis box, and a power supply with blue LED transillumination.
This new, compact, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis product was developed to give individuals who want to work with DNA a fun and easy way to explore their genetic make-up.
It was developed by Bento Bioworks, a company based in London, England, and is described as a do-it-yourself DNA analysis kit called Bento Lab. The device is about the size of a laptop computer and may be used anywhere to conduct a variety of DNA experiments.
Bento Lab allows people to conduct simple DNA tests from samples obtained from saliva or hair follicles. Animal tissue, food, and drink samples may also be evaluated with the unit.
To perform an experiment, the user simply places a sample into a centrifuge located in the middle of the device. Bento Lab then extracts the DNA for analysis and a thermocycler targets a specific portion of the DNA and copies it. A gel unit then portrays the DNA to enable the user to interpret the results. (more…)
