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The Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship program is a joint undertaking between the Divisions of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, and Neuropathology. The fellowship offers 1 year positions (1 clinical year) as well as 3 year positions (1 clinical year followed by 2 research years). The fellowship is accredited by the ACGME, and is designed to meet the needs of individuals interested in a career in academic pathology focused on the application of molecular genetic techniques in basic science, translational, or clinical research settings. Upon completion of the program, the fellow will have the skills necessary to pass the American Board of Pathology subspecialty exam in Molecular Genetic Pathology. Applicants must be Board certified/Board eligible in Anatomic and/or Clinical Pathology, or Medical Genetics, and meet the requirements for medical licensure in Missouri.

The large, referral, quaternary care hospital system associated with Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides the clinical material for the program. The fellowship includes laboratory rotations through the clinical Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Microbiology Laboratory, HLA Laboratory, and FISH Laboratory of Barnes-Jewish Hospital; the Microbiology Laboratory of St. Louis Children's Hospital; and the Cytogenetics Laboratory, Microarray Laboratory, and Bioinformatics section of the Department of Pathology. The fellowship also includes clinical rotations through the general pediatric genetics clinic and the general adult genetics clinic (as well as elective rotations through the neurogenetics, Down syndrome, or Beckwith-Wiedemann clinics).

Fellows will be active participants in reviewing cases submitted to the various molecular genetics laboratories. Particular emphasis will be placed on correlating molecular testing with traditional laboratory analysis. Fellows will also participate in regular didactic teaching sessions with faculty, and contribute to departmental conferences and journal clubs.

For those individuals interested in a 3 year position, a wide spectrum of research opportunities exists within the Medical School, including those that focus on utilization of state-of-the-art technologies for genome-wide analysis; application of molecular analysis in the settings of oncology, infectious diseases, medical genetics, and internal medicine; and development of testing paradigms for optimized provision of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information. The goal of the 2 years of research is to provide the fellow with the opportunity to focus on a specific area of investigation with the aim of developing a research program that leads to a faculty position at an academic medical center, and that can be supported by extramural funding. It is possible for trainees to extend their time in the lab depending on their long term career goals, availability of an appropriate mentor, and funding.