Molecular Pathology & Cytogenomics

Laboratory Medicine

Molecular Pathology & Cytogenomics

Molecular Pathology has been in practice at Cleveland Clinic since 1979, ranking our laboratories among the longest histories of any clinical laboratory in the world.

Organized within the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the Robert J. Tomsich Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, the Molecular Pathology Section is composed of two areas: Molecular Diagnostics and Cytogenomics.

Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular Diagnostics is applied in many areas of medicine including infectious disease, carrier screening, genetic disease, and oncology—including hematopoietic malignancies and solid tumor testing.

Among the technologies used in the Molecular Pathology Section are Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), single base extension detection by mass spectrometry, and many others.

Integrated molecular pathology applications provide customized answers to routine and esoteric diagnostic questions.

Access to personalized diagnostics improves outcomes, reduces trial-and-error disease management, increases treatment effectiveness, and reduces the cost of care.

Cytogenomics

The Cytogenomics Laboratory performs clinical testing for pre-and post-natal constitutional specimens and oncology samples.

Testing methodologies include chromosomal microarrays (CMA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and conventional cytogenetics (G-banding).

Our laboratories support our staff pathologists and collaborate with physicians in Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, Genomic Medicine Institute, Neurological Institute, as well as other relevant departments within our health system.

Laboratory Genetic Counseling

Laboratory genetic counselors support the genetic testing process as liaisons between clinicians and molecular & cytogenetic laboratories.

Our dedicated team of laboratory genetic counselors works closely with the Clinical Genetics Team in the Genomic Medicine Institute to improve the access and delivery of genetic services, and also plays an integral role within the Laboratory Stewardship Committee.

Molecular Pathology & Cytogenomics Staff

Elizabeth Azzato, MD, PhD

Elizabeth Azzato, MD, PhD
Section Head, Molecular Pathology & Cytogenomics

Caroline Astbury, PhD

Caroline Astbury, PhD, FACMG
Director, Cytogenomics

Sheila Shurtleff, PhD, HCLD

Sheila Shurtleff, PhD, HCLD
Director, Molecular Pathology

David Bosler, MD

David S. Bosler, MD

Shweta Bhavsar, MD

Shweta Bhavsar, MD

Emilia Calvaresi, MD, PhD

Emilia Calvaresi, MD, PhD

Yu-Wei Cheng, PhD

Yu-Wei Cheng, PhD, FACMG

James Cook, MD, PhD

James R. Cook, MD, PhD

Zheng Jin Tu, PhD

Zheng J. Tu, PhD