AMPTask Force on MLS Molecular Pathology Curriculum Dear Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Manager, Recently the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has decided to develop a suggested curriculum in molecular pathology and genomics for Medical/Clinical Laboratory Scientists. To help AMP determine curriculum needs, it would be valuable for Molecular Diagnostics laboratories to provide us with information about their expectations and needs concerning employee competencies. To help us gather this data, we have put together a survey that we hope you will take a few minutes to complete. Thanks, in advance, for helping us collect data! Page 1
1. Indicate whether or not your laboratory uses the following molecular methods or performs the following functions: Yes No DNA/RNA isolation Gel Electrophoresis Southern Blotting Qualitative PCR Quantitative PCR Nested PCR Multiplex PCR Multiplex Ligationdependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) Other amplification techniques (i.e., bdna amp) Array (microarray, bead array) Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Sanger Sequencing Pyrosequencing Next Generation Sequencing Primer design Assay development Assay verification/validation Page 2
2. Do you plan to continue or implement such testing within the next 5 years? Yes No DNA/RNA isolation Gel Electrophoresis Southern Blotting Qualitative PCR Quantitative PCR Nested PCR Multiplex PCR Multiplex Ligationdependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) Other amplification techniques (i.e., bdna amp) Array (microarray, bead array) Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Sanger Sequencing Pyrosequencing Next Generation Sequencing Primer design Assay development Assay verification/validation 3. Please specify other molecular methods used in your laboratory (currently and/or within the next 5 years): 5 6 Page 3
4. Rate the following molecular tests/skills in terms of how expert recent graduates of a BACCALAUREATE degree program in Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) should be: UNFAMILIAR with the FAMILIAR with SKILL and FAMILIAR with CONCEPTS; EXPERT; should require principle and practice; CONCEPTS; should require should require complete minor lab specific should require extensive moderate DNA/RNA isolation Gel Electrophoresis Southern Blotting Qualitative PCR Quantitative PCR Nested PCR Multiplex PCR Multiplex Ligationdependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) Other amplification techniques (i.e., bdna amp) Array (microarray, bead array) Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Sanger Sequencing Pyrosequencing Next Generation Sequencing Primer design Assay development Assay verification/validation Page 4
5. List any other molecular testing capabilities/skills with which recent graduates of MLS BACCALAUREATE degree programs should be familiar. Include the degree of expertise expected. 5 6 Page 5
6. Rate the following molecular tests/skills in terms of how expert recent graduates of a MASTER'S degree program in Molecular Diagnostics should be: UNFAMILIAR with the FAMILIAR with SKILL and FAMILIAR with CONCEPTS; EXPERT; should require principle and practice; CONCEPTS; should require should require complete minor lab specific should require extensive moderate DNA/RNA isolation Gel Electrophoresis Southern Blotting Qualitative PCR Quantitative PCR Nested PCR Multiplex PCR Multiplex Ligationdependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) Other amplification techniques (i.e., bdna amp) Array (microarray, bead array) Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Sanger Sequencing Pyrosequencing Next Generation Sequencing Primer design Assay development Assay verification/validation Page 6
7. List any other molecular testing capabilities/skills with which recent graduates of a Molecular Diagnostics MASTER'S degree program should be familiar. Include the degree of expertise expected. 5 6 Page 7
8. Rate the following issues of clinical quality control and management in terms of how expert recent graduates of a BACCALAUREATE degree program in MLS should be: UNFAMILIAR with the FAMILIAR with SKILL and FAMILIAR with CONCEPTS; EXPERT; should require principle and practice; CONCEPTS; should require should require complete minor lab specific should require extensive moderate Performance and procedural documentation to maintain compliance with governing agencies Proficiency Testing Regulatory/personnel requirements (FDA, CLIA, CAP, etc.) Laboratory Safety Assay verification/validation 9. Rate the following issues of clinical quality control and management in terms of how expert recent graduates of a MASTER'S degree program in Molecular Diagnostics should be: UNFAMILIAR with the FAMILIAR with SKILL and FAMILIAR with CONCEPTS; EXPERT; should require principle and practice; CONCEPTS; should require should require complete minor lab specific should require extensive moderate Performance and procedural documentation to maintain compliance with governing agencies Proficiency Testing Regulatory/personnel requirements (FDA, CLIA, CAP, etc.) Laboratory Safety Assay validation Page 8
10. Once hired in your laboratory, how useful would the following basic science and math knowledge/skills be for graduates of either the Baccalaureate in MLS or Master s in Molecular Diagnostics (MDx) programs? VERY USEFUL USEFUL NOT USEFUL DNA, RNA structure, function Inheritance Mutation, repair, recombination, control of gene expression Replication & transcription in prokaryotes/eukaryotes, translation Cell signaling, cell cycle Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids Cancer critical genes Statistics Ethics issues Personnel issues Finance/Business/Marketing Quality Control Compliance (regulations) Pipetting Dilutions Lab math (%(w/w), w/v, v/v/), molarity, changing between % and molarity, anhydrous versus hydrated solutions, density calculations, concentration calculations, etc.) Microscopy Page 9
11. Additional comments or suggestions? 5 6 Page 10