Molecular Diagnostics
The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at Houston Methodist Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation that is used by our highly skilled team of molecular technologists, bioinformaticians and pathologists. Our molecular assays provide crucial diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information to patients and physicians. We perform tests on many different types of clinical specimens (blood, body fluids, biopsy tissue, etc.) to detect DNA markers (fingerprints or signatures) for infectious diseases, genetic diseases and cancer. The results generated in our laboratory are critical to making rapid diagnoses, selecting personalized therapies, and ensuring best outcomes.
As an example of innovation in our laboratory, we recently developed a rapid molecular test that simultaneously detects the five most common causes of eye infection. Previously, five separate tests had to be done, resulting in slow turnaround times and increased costs. Similarly, we perform rapid molecular testing for many infections common to transplant patients, including adenovirus, BK virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), JC virus, and parvovirus. We also provide rapid molecular testing for important travel-associated infections such as chikungunya virus and dengue virus.
We offer several specialized cancer tests, and recently implemented a new panel that identifies mutations in 50 genes implicated in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. This test is designed to help your physician identify molecular markers that are unique to your tumor, which in turn, can be exploited for selecting personalized therapies. We also have custom gene mutation tests for breast cancer, leukemia/lymphoma, and brain cancer. Such high-end diagnostic tools are only available in a few reference laboratories in the US.
Innovations:
As an example of innovation in our laboratory, we recently developed a rapid molecular test that simultaneously detects the five most common causes of eye infection. Previously, five separate tests had to be done, resulting in slow turnaround times and increased costs. Similarly, we perform rapid molecular testing for many infections common to transplant patients, including adenovirus, BK virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), JC virus, and parvovirus. We also provide rapid molecular testing for important travel-associated infections such as chikungunya virus and dengue virus.
We offer several specialized cancer tests, and recently implemented a new panel that identifies mutations in 50 genes implicated in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. This test is designed to help your physician identify molecular markers that are unique to your tumor, which in turn, can be exploited for selecting personalized therapies. We also have custom gene mutation tests for breast cancer, leukemia/lymphoma, and brain cancer. Such high-end diagnostic tools are only available in a few reference laboratories in the US.
Innovations:
- Created a custom PCR test that detects the 5 most common pathogens of the vitreous fluid in the eye.
- Developed an extensive menu of rapid PCR tests that detect important infectious diseases in transplant patients.
- Developed gene mutation testing to guide personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients.
- Validated several next-generation sequencing tests for cancer including, solid tumors, breast cancer, brain cancer, and myeloid disorders.
SARS Coronavirus 2:
- Abbott Alinity m SARS-CoV-2
- Biofire SARS-CoV-2
- Biofire Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP2.1) SARS-CoV-2
- Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2
- Elecsys IL-6 – Roche Diagnostics
- Hologic Aptima SARS-CoV-2
- Hologic Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2
- Siemens FTD SARS-CoV-2
- Roche Liat SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B
- Roche Cobas 6800 SARS-CoV-2
- Ortho Diagnostics Anti-SARS-CoV-2
- Total Antibody
- IgG Antibody
- Roche Cobas 8000 Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid AB
For additional information, please contact:
Randall Olsen, MD, PhD
Medical Director, Molecular Diagnostics
Office: 713.441.6802
rjolsen@houstonmethodist.org
Associate Medical Director, Molecular Diagnostics
Office: 346.267.5999
Jessica Thomas, MD, PhD, MPH
Associate Medical Director, Molecular Diagnostics
Office: 713.441.2152
jsthomas@houstonmethodist.org