Rutgers NJMS ABMGG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomic Program

Directors:

James Dermody, Ph.D FACMG

Program Description:

The Rutgers NJMS Training Program has a two year, comprehensive American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) accredited training in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics. The program integrates cytogenetics and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of constitutional and somatic diseases.  The trainee will become competent in routine karyotyping, FISH and chromosomal microarray as well as fluorescent and quantitative PCR, capillary electrophoresis, genotyping assays and Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing protocols and interpretation for mutation profiling of hematologic and solid tumors and inherited disorders. Gaining the skills required to direct a high complexity clinical laboratory, the fellow will also assist in test development and implementation. The fellowship program seeks to attract individuals of diverse backgrounds and experience interested in pursuing careers in medical genetics.  The fellowship is open to holders of PhD, MD or MD/PhD degrees.  Fellows must be eligible to work in the United States. The Laboratory Genetics and Genomics fellowship is intended for those who wish to direct or co-direct a Clinical Molecular Genetics and/or Clinical Cytogenetics laboratory.

Provide a comprehensive training program for fellows in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG). This two-year fellowship program includes integrated training in Clinical Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and external training in Biochemical Genetics.  Our Clinical, Educational and Research Genomics program has been a focus of the University for over 30 years.  The LGG program offers extensive training in performance and interpretation of molecular genetic and cytogenetic analyses relevant to the diagnosis and management of human genetic disorders. Satisfactory completion of the LGG training will lead to board-eligibility in the Clinical Laboratory Genetics and Genomics specialty.

The basic scope and objectives of the Rutgers NJMS LGG training program are as listed below:

• Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory LGG fellows receive hands-on molecular clinical laboratory experience, which includes techniques such as Sanger sequencing, MLPA, next-generation sequencing, and genome wide copy number changes with microarray Comparative Genomic Hybridization as well as more traditional techniques such as fragment analysis, and various genotyping methods. In completing these rotations, fellows will gain exposure to techniques that detect large and small sequence variations, and assess methylation abnormalities. State-of-the-art technologies and instrumentation is used in all of these tests including Miniseq, Nextseq and Novaseq as well as the bioinformatics pipelines that are taught to perform analysis of the data.
• Cytogenetics Laboratory LGG fellows receive hands-on cytogenetics clinical laboratory experience, which includes tissue culture (blood, tissue, amniotic fluid, POC, bone marrow, tumor), chromosome banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and oncology cytogenetics. In completing these integrated rotations, fellows will gain exposure to techniques that assess aneuploidies and genomic rearrangements and gain a full understanding of analysis.
• The trainees also receive hands-on experience in sample preparation, quality assessment, data, analysis, and reporting of all assays. In addition to gaining experience in the fields of cytogenetics and molecular genetics, all fellows are instructed on how to validate and establish new testing, as well as how to establish, review, and maintain standard operating procedure manuals and quality control practices as required by the regulatory and licensing agencies (CLIA, CAP, etc.).  Once fellows are competent to independently perform testing on clinical samples and analyze data, they will draft reports, which are then reviewed one-on-one with an ABMGG-certified laboratory director.
• The trainees will also complete training in the non-specialty laboratory (Biochemical Genetics) at CHOP for a total of 80 hours. Rotation in the genetics clinic with medical geneticist and genetic counselors including counseling sessions is also required.  During rotation periods, trainees encounter a significant number of patients with a broad range of different confirmed or potential genetic diagnoses and will be able to have oral communication with health care providers.

LGG Training & Courses:

• Trainees complete didactic courses, which include the Foundations in Medicine.  The lectures and small group sessions cover basic science of genetic disease, clinical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, genetics of cancer, population and statistical genetics.
• They attend weekly meetings where laboratory operations and personnel issues are discussed. During CAP self-inspection years, trainees assist the laboratory directors to conduct the self-inspection. During on-site inspections by CAP or other regulatory entities, trainees are invited to summations.
• Trainee fellows are required to attend several additional training activities, including genetics grand rounds, genetics seminars, clinical weekly case conferences, and daily case sign-outs. Trainees actively rotate to present papers and cases at the Clinical Genomics Journal Club.
• In addition, trainees present cases at an abnormal sign-out conference attended by laboratory and clinical personnel. These cases allow the trainee to focus in-depth on an interesting case, hone their presentation skills, and discuss debatable points in a professional manner.
• Research opportunities are generally available but are quite variable in terms of goals and scope. Trainees learn test development and validation procedures by leading new test development or test improvement projects.  All fellows are provided with protected research/method development time, but how this is utilized depends on the interests of the fellow and needs of the lab at that time.
• Overall, this comprehensive training program is designed to make the trainee highly competent and capable to function as an independent laboratory director. Candidates with an M.D. or a Ph.D. degree in one of the basic sciences may enter this program. The Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) fellowship is a two-year program that allows the trainee to gain competence in performing and interpreting cytogenetic analysis relevant to the diagnosis and management of chromosome disorders, as well as in all molecular analyses relevant to the diagnosis of genetic disorders at the gene level. The trainee will also gain research experience by participating in on-going research projects and by conducting independent research.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must hold an M.D., or Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. degree
• Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents.
• Candidates with a doctoral degree earned outside of the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico should have the ABMGG Credentials Committee to review their credentials prior to the onset of LGG training.
• Interested applicants may visit http://www.abmgg.org/ for more information on the LGG requirements.

How to Apply to Program

To apply, you must submit the following materials:

• CV
• Personal Statement
• Most recent transcript
• Three letters of recommendation

Send all materials via e-mail to the coordinator Deanna Streck (streckdl@njms.rutgers.edu) at the Rutgers NJMS Clinical Genomics, 185 South Orange Avenue MSB F656, Newark, NJ 07103