MPRS Laboratory Mission

To provide high quality, cost effective NGS services in a CLIA’88 certified laboratory in a manner that supports the patient care, research, and education missions of Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Molecular Pathology Research Services (MPRS) specializes in providing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) services in a CLIA’88 certified laboratory for research, translational research, and clinical trials.

The MPRS laboratory provides the members of the VCU community the opportunity to incorporate the benefits of the complete list of NGS services in their individual research projects.

The MPRS laboratory is housed in the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory in the Department of Pathology at VCU.  This is a state of the art, CLIA certified laboratory that is fully equipped to provide high throughput NGS services.  MPRS laboratory has PGM and Proton instruments, automatic nucleic acid extraction robots, liquid handlers, etc.

NGS Services for Researchers

The MPRS laboratory offers a full range of nucleic acid-based tests including NGS services for researchers which include: nucleic acid extraction, nucleic acid quantitation, library preparation, template preparation and sequencing.

The NGS services provided by MPRS are listed in this form.

Investigators who will be using human tissue need to bring the corresponding form signed by the IRB approved research protocol.

The Division of Molecular Diagnostics provides an extensive number of nucleic acid-based tests.  Please see list of tests in Clinical Services section.

Clinical Trial Services

The Molecular Diagnostics Clinical Trial Services specializes in providing nucleic acid based testing for clinical studies of new in-vitro diagnostics tests as well as clinical trials that required molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenetic testing.

Resources

The Laboratory is housed in one of the largest and most sophisticated university-based Molecular Diagnostics laboratories in the country. 

Our 6,400 square foot lab includes two large testing areas with state-of-the-art equipment, safety features, and office space. The lab operation uses progressive state-of-the-art technologies and procedures to evaluate infectious diseases, inherited disorders, oncogene copy number, and other gene abnormalities. 

The use of PCR, Real Time PCR Technology, DNA hybridization, microarray technology, capillary electrophoresis and Next Generation Sequencing techniques are available, as are specific studies in Factor V Leiden, Factor II Polymorphism, T & B Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement clonality studies, HIV Viral Load Quantitation and Genotyping, HCV Quantitation and Genotyping, CMV, EBV and BKV Quantitation, Fragile X Syndrome, bcr-abl chimeric mRNA Quantitation, Oncogenomics panels by NGS.  List of MDx tests

Certifications

The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory follows strict regulatory guidelines to ensure we provide the highest quality laboratory services. 

The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory maintains a number of national laboratory certifications.

  • We are certified by the Federal Government under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), and are fully accredited by the College of American Pathologists and the American Association of Blood Banks. The quality of our work is continuously monitored by extensive internal quality control and participation in proficiency testing which is administered by multiple external agencies.

The most recent certifications are listed below and available upon request:

  • The College of American Pathologist (CAP)
  • The Joint Accreditation Commission for Hospitals (JACHO)

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Services also abides by the following global transportation regulations:

  • International Air Transport Association (IATA) Compliance
  • US Department of Transportation

Services

Comprehensive, flexible laboratory services

The Molecular Diagnostics Clinical Trial Services has supported a number of different clinical laboratory trials (references upon request).

  • Study design
  • Preparation of protocols
  • Review of Sponsored Protocols
  • Budget preparation
  • Generation of documents required for IRB review
  • Protocol testing
  • Sample processing and shipping
  • Nucleic acid isolation from different specimen sources
  • Data analysis
  • Generation of testing reports
  • Alpha and Beta site testing
  • Clinical molecular diagnostic testing
  • Pharmacogenetic testing
  • Assay design

 List of MDx tests

Research

Because of our extensive experience in clinical molecular laboratory testing and the availability of considerable University resources at VCU and VCU Health System, we specialize in Molecular diagnostic testing in the areas of:

  • Inherited disorders
  • Infectious disease
  • Hematopathology
  • Coagulation
  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Alpha and beta site testing for new in vitro diagnostic products
  • Workflow studies
  • Evaluation of analytical performance characteristics of new in vitro diagnostic products

Leadership and Contacts

 Director of MPRS: Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez, PhD

Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez, PhD

Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez, PhD

Chair, Division of Molecular Diagnostics

Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez, PhD

Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez, PhD

Chair, Division of Molecular Diagnostics

Pathology

Professor of Pathology; Chair of Molecular Diagnostics Division

Phone: (804) 828-9564

Fax: (804) 825-4738

Email: Andrea.Ferreira-Gonzalez@vcuhealth.org

Read More

Scott Turner, PhD

Scott Turner, PhD

Molecular Diagnostics

Scott Turner, PhD

Scott Turner, PhD

Molecular Diagnostics

Pathology

Assistant Professor of Pathology;
Assistant Director of Molecular Diagnostics

Phone: (804) 828-9564

Fax: (804) 827-4738

Email: Scott.Turner@vcuhealth.org

Read More

Dmitry Lyalin, PhD

Dmitry Lyalin, PhD

Molecular Diagnostics

Dmitry Lyalin, PhD

Dmitry Lyalin, PhD

Molecular Diagnostics

Pathology

Clinical Assistant Professor
Associate Director of Cytogenetics/Molecular Diagnostics

Phone: (804) 628-4886

Email: Dmitry.Lyalin@vcuhealth.org

Read More

Fernanda Sábato, MS in Biochemistry, MB(ASCP)

Fernanda Sábato, MS in Biochemistry, MB(ASCP)

Molecular Diagnostics

Fernanda Sábato, MS in Biochemistry, MB(ASCP)

Fernanda Sábato, MS in Biochemistry, MB(ASCP)

Molecular Diagnostics

Pathology

Operations Manager

Phone: (804) 828-9564

Fax: (804) 827-4738

Email: Maria.SabatoCharreun@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
Box 980248
Richmond, VA
23298-0248

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory: Clinical Support Center, 2nd floor, Room 247
(804) 828-9564