Department of Medical Genetics
News
UT Genetics Center featured in the January 2010 issue of the GSM Scope Newsletter.
UT Genetics Center Offers Exclusive Testing for Rare Disease
In the 1990s, testing in the UT Genetics Center Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, in association with researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, revealed the source of a disease similar to Huntington Disease, designated Huntington Disease-Like 2. Today, the UT Genetics Center is the only laboratory in the U.S. that offers testing for this rare disease and is one of only four testing sites worldwide.
Genetic Counselor Noyes Passes Board Exam
Amanda Noyes, MS, CGC, passed the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification examination and is now a Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC). Noyes has worked for the UT Graduate School of Medicine Genetics Center since June 2007, seeing pediatric and adult patients. When a child is diagnosed with a genetic condition, Noyes meets with the family to discuss the condition, the inheritance risk and recurrence risk, and provide support to the family. She also counsels adults regarding family histories of genetic conditions, cancer gene susceptibility, Huntington Disease presymptomatic testing, multiple miscarriages, hemochromatosis and thrombophilia.
Event Co-Sponsored by Genetics Center Features Service Dogs
The UT Graduate School of Medicine Genetics Center co-sponsored the 2009 Foundation for Genetic Technology Southeastern Regional Genetic Meeting held in Knoxville, October 23-24, reaching technologists from genetics laboratories in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The day-and-a-half meeting included eight scientific lectures, a "Techs on Technology" lecture and discussion, and a poster session. The participants also shared information on the local Wilderwood Service Dogs program, which provides service dogs specifically trained to handle the challenges of spectrum disorders and other neurological impairments including autism, dementia and brain injuries.
"The presentation by the Wilderwood Service program was a great addition to the meeting. Since we're all lab people, it's really neat to see what happens outside of the lab after diagnoses," said Karla Matteson, PhD, FACMG, Professor of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Co-Director of UT Genetics Center, and Director of Biochemical and Molecular Genetics Laboratory.
Medical Genetics faculty and staff presentations at the meeting included
Oral Presentations
Darla Smith, RD, MPH, LDN, Metabolic Nutritionist
"New Treatments in the Care of Patients with PKU"
Karla J. Matteson, PhD, FACMG
"Pharmacogenetics and Treatment Options in Cancer"
Bethann Ralston, BS, MT(ASCP)
"The New INFINITI Laboratory Platform: How it works"
Poster Presentation
Terri Ryan, BS, CLSP(CG), Cheri Worthington, BS, CLSP(CG), Pamela Patrick, BA, MT(ASCP), CLSP(CG) and Carmen B Lozzio, MD, FACMG
"Partial Trisomy for the 10q Subtelomere Detected by FISH"
Quick Links to Laboratory Requisition Forms
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
Department of Medical Genetics/ UT Genetics Center
UT Graduate School of Medicine
Building A, Suite 435
1930 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37920
Phone: 865.305.9030
Toll free: 1.800.325.3894
Fax: 865.305.6675