Course Descriptions

(1 credit, offered Fall/Spring)
Instructor: Scott B. VandePol M.D., PhD
(Formerly PRPR) The purpose of this course is to introduce new graduate students to the scientific literature in human disease, and to give them experience in interpreting, discussing, and presenting both research publications and their own progress on research projects. Enrollees will be expected to present at least one research literature report each semester (MR5, Third Floor, Room 3005)

(4 credits, offered Fall/Spring)
Course Coordinator: Janet V. Cross, PhD
Students will spend 4 weeks, selecting from 3 or 4 Sections, at least one of which should be Surgical Pathology. Given their extensive clinical experiences, MSTP Students in the MCBD Program should select their sections from the first 8 options, excluding the Rotation in Interventional Medicine. The rotations will expose students to clinical problems and hands-on techniques such as tissue procurement, processing and diagnosis. Students will attend Clinical Conferences in which cases of human diseases related to the students’ areas of thesis research are discussed. Discussions focus on the etiology of the disease, its stage, progression, and clinical treatment. The purpose of attending such clinical conferences is to develop a full appreciation of the major issues that characterize a specific disease and to provide an understanding of how the current means of disease treatment could be improved by advances in cellular or molecular therapeutics. This rotation will allow students to utilize clinical faculty members as resources to further discuss the relevance of their thesis research to the understanding of human disease. Students are encouraged to select one of these faculty members as member of their thesis committee.

To document participation in the rotation, students will be expected to maintain a “journal” with daily entries briefly summarizing the individuals that they interacted with (faculty, fellows, residents, etc) and what they observed/learned (3-4 sentences). A final summary of the experience with feedback on how the student might apply their experiences to their future work will complete the journal, which should then be submitted to the MCBD Director for evaluation.

Sections
1. Hematopathology (Adam N. Goldfarb, MD)
For the rotation in Hematopathology, the student will attend the daily diagnostic sessions known as “signout”. These sessions encompass analysis of blood, bone marrow, and lymph node specimens by light microscopy. Additional signout sessions are held for flow cytometric analysis of similar specimens. The student is expected to gain an understanding of the basic morphology of normal blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. In addition the basic principles of multiparametric flow cytometric analysis of samples will be covered. The student is also expected to develop a basic understanding of the molecular abnormalities underlying leukemia and lymphoma. Correlations will be made the fundamental questions being addressed in current research on normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Clinical hematology journal club occurs weekly. Basic science lab meetings occur weekly with presentation of work in progress and discussion of cutting edge articles.

2.  Neuropathology and Autopsy (M. Beatriz S. Lopes, MD and James W. Mandell, MD, PhD)
Students participate in the diagnostic service of the Division of Neuropathology, which includes the examination of intra-operative consultations (brain smears and frozen sections) and permanent sections of neurosurgical specimens, the gross and microscopic examination of brains obtained from the autopsy material in the Department, and gross and microscopic examination of muscle and nerves. Students essentially function as residents in studying at first hand the neuropathological material under the guidance and supervision of a faculty member, and participate in the regular weekly microscopic conference in which current neuropathological material and consultation case material submitted from outside centers are reviewed and discussed. In addition, the students participate in the interdepartmental conferences with the Neuro-Oncology Center team of clinicians and neurosurgeons. Projects in clinicopathologic correlation and/or experimental neuropathology may be possible during this rotation by pre-arrangement.

3.  Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis (Melinda D. Poulter, PhD)
This rotation is designed to familiarize the student with microbial pathogenesis from the “bench to the bedside”. Students will attend daily “plate rounds” in Clinical Microbiology during which diagnostic interpretations are considered. Attendance of the Infectious Diseases attending rounds at least twice per week and Infectious Diseases case conference is required. Students are expected to become familiar with biochemical, morphologic, serologic, and molecular methods used for diagnosis of infectious diseases and for evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy. During the rotation, students will become acquainted with microbial virulence mechanisms that contribute to progression of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.  Mechanisms of inducible and intrinsic antimicrobial resistance will also be covered. Ongoing basic science questions about microbial pathogenesis and host response addressed in current research will be discussed. Research lab meetings involving presentations of work in progress and review of current literature are held weekly.

4.  Immunology and Renal Pathology: Renal disease mechanism in the clinical setting (Helen P. Cathro, MBChB, MPH)
Students will learn the clinicopathologic presentation of the following diseases based on case studies: The Alport syndrome; Goodpasture’s disease; Glomerulonephritis of systemic lupus erythematosus; Renal allograft acute rejection. Students will learn the following concepts and techniques:  Pathophysiological basis for the clinical presentations; Introduction to histology and histopathology of kidney and inflammation; Electron microscopy and ultrastructural findings of immune complexes; Immunohistology and appearance of immune complexes. Finally, students will learn the disease mechanism pertaining to each disease by addressing the following issues or questions: Biochemistry of glomerular basement; Why do autoantigens stimulate autoantibody response?  How is self tolerance maintained and terminated?  How do autoantibodies mediate tissue injury and disease?  How do antigens stimulate allogeneic T cell response? What are the mechanisms of renal allograft rejection? Read a good review on each topic, following by discussion. Students are expected to participate in the diagnosis of ongoing renal biopsy cases.

5.  Molecular Diagnostics (Mani S. Mahadevan, MD)
This rotation is designed to get the students familiar with various aspects of molecular diagnostics. The application of molecular diagnostics to infectious diseases, genetic diseases, and hematopathology will be emphasized. Students will attend weekly laboratory meetings and clinical genetics conferences. They will also have an opportunity to become familiar with the cytogenetics laboratory and will have an opportunity to generate a karyotype. Students are expected to become familiar with the fundamentals of molecular genetics, real-time PCR and quantitative RT-PCR, DNA sequencing, automated fragment analysis, Southern blotting, etc. They will get exposure to the issues of genetic counseling. In addition, they will get an opportunity to understand and interpret HIV genotyping, fragment analysis as it applies to identifying clonal processes and genetic disorders. Emphasis will be placed on the underlying molecular basis of the various disorders and genotype-phenotype correlations.

6. Surgical Pathology (Robin D. LeGallo, MD)
The purpose of this rotation is for the student to gain an understanding of the role of microscopic examination and special techniques in the diagnosis and study of human disease. Accordingly, the student will attend daily “sign-out” sessions, during which patient tissue specimens from the clinical Surgical Pathology service are examined microscopically, discussed and diagnosed. These clinical specimens demonstrate a diverse variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic human diseases. Also, the student will attend weekly Surgical Pathology and Autopsy conferences, where clinical cases are presented and discussed in detail. In addition, the student will rotate through the clinical and research Surgical Pathology laboratories to gain exposure to a variety of the special techniques used in diagnostic and investigational pathology, specifically tissue procurement, tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, microdissection, and microarray analysis. Upon completion of this rotation, the student will have gained an appreciation for the role of microscopic examination and special techniques in the diagnosis and investigation of human disease.

7. Cytopathology (Henry F. Frierson, Jr, MD)
This rotation is an introduction to the technical and professional skills involved in the field of cytopathology. Students will learn how a variety of cytologic specimens (cervical, urine, ascites, fine-needle aspiration, etc) are prepared in and outside the laboratory for microscopic examination. Also, students will accompany cytopathology fellows to the clinic, bedside, and radiology suite to observe how fine-needle aspiration specimens are obtained from patients and the nuances of immediate cytopathologic interpretation. In addition, they will learn general cytopathologic criteria that allow the diagnosis of cancer, infectious diseases, and benign conditions. Students will participate in the daily sign-out of cytopathologic cases with residents, fellows, and faculty, and gain an appreciation for the implications of various diagnoses on patient management.

8. Clinical Chemistry/Biochemistry, Toxicology/Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Medical Informatics (Joesph R. Wiencek, PhD)
Testing done in these areas of the laboratory provides the largest portion of diagnostic results in medicine. The rotation will address (a) the types of clinical questions that can be answered by chemical and biochemical measurements, (b) the performance of those measurements, and the reporting and (c) the interpretation of the results of the tests. Thus, the rotation will first provide an introduction to the principles of formulating clinical questions that can be addressed by laboratory testing and the principles of formulating these questions. Next we will explore principles of analytical science (what we should have learned in chemistry class, had we been paying attention – in two easy lessons) and examples of modern measurement techniques used in the care of patients and in monitoring of health status. This will include a laboratory tour to see the automation and robotics in current use. We will then address the interpretation of clinical laboratory data in individual patients. This will be done by use of discussion, readings and examples. In the various areas of this rotation (a through c), we will use examples from clinical toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, clinical chemistry and clinical biochemistry, including biochemical genetics and tests of endocrine signaling.

9. Rotation in Interventional Medicine (Coordinated by Janet Cross, PhD)
After learning about the diagnostic challenges facing physicians in the practice of Pathology, the Rotation in Interventional Medicine will allow the student to learn more about the challenges facing physicians as they interact with patients.  The students will select two clinical specialties from the list below and spend two to three days interacting with the faculty and staff, learning about the challenges that they face in their practice and observing procedures first-hand.  Some direct patient contact may be part of the rotation, at the discretion of the supervising physician.
Some background reading prior to the first day of the rotation may be required, and attendance at a relevant Case Conference expected as part of the rotation.  The specifics of each opportunity are detailed below.
If selecting this rotation, the student should be aware that, in order to accommodate complex schedules of the physicians, clinics, procedures etc., some flexibility will be required. The expectation for this rotation will be one “week-equivalent” but it will likely not be possible to schedule everything to fit in a standard week.

Radiation Oncology (Paul W. Read, MD, PhD and James Larner, MD; with Admin Charlotte A. Gilbert)
The practice of Radiation Oncology involves the treatment of cancer patients with ionizing radiation. UVA has four state of the art instruments central to the practice, and this rotation will offer the students the opportunity to learn about how these machines work and to observe how they are deployed.  Through interactions with the physicians, medical physicists, and staff, students will observe the treatment planning process as therapeutic approaches are discussed and developed by this collaborative team. Attendance at a ‘morning conference’ where the complete medical picture of ongoing cases is presented and discussed will be expected. Some direct interaction with the patients will be possible as the students observe in the clinic.

Gynecologic Oncology (Linda R. Duska, MD)
This rotation will allow a self-directed exploration of the specialty, coordinated through discussion with Dr. Duska. Opportunities will include observation at clinic visits, interactions with patients considering participation in clinical trials and observation in the operating room, including laparoscopic, open and robotic surgical procedures. Attendance at at least one Tumor Board (weekly on Wednesday) where the pathology, radiology etc of interesting cases is discussed will be required. In addition, attendance at a monthly “Clinical Trial Meeting” will expose students to the ins and outs of conducting clinical trials from the specialty that has been most successful at establishing trials and recruiting patients here at UVA.

(2 credits, offered Fall, cross listed as BIMS 8131)
Instructor: C. John Luckey, MD, PhD
Students may take 8130/8140 out of sequence, if needed. This is a series of joint lectures by basic and clinical scientists that focuses on the clinical context of a specific biomedical problem and the contemporary research that has resulted in major advances and treatment of the disease. Possible topics include: Osteoporosis, Infertility, Allergy, Muscular Dystrophy, Rett Syndrome, Atherosclerosis, Malnutrition, Iron Metabolism and Hematopoiesis.

(2 credits, offered Spring)
Instructor: C John Luckey, MD, PhD
Students may take 8130/8140 out of sequence, if needed. This is a series of joint lectures by basic and clinical scientists that focuses on the clinical context of a specific biomedical problem and the contemporary research that has resulted in major advances and treatment of the disease. For a list of potential topics, please see PATH 8130 (above).

(3 credits, offered Fall every other year)
Instructor: Larry Borish, MD
Lecture course designed to provide participants with an appreciation of contemporary clinical problems associated with the immune system. Students will be introduced to diseases associated with aberrant performance of the immune system, gain an understanding of the etiology, clinical presentation, and consequences of diseases, and discuss current research in disease prevention and therapy.

(1 credit, offered Fall/Spring)
Instructor: Janet V. Cross, PhD
Weekly presentations from speakers within and outside of UVA presenting descriptions, problems, and current approaches to diagnosis, molecular basis, and treatment of human disease. Presentations will usually contain both clinical and laboratory research, though occasionally reports of disease model systems will be presented. (AP Conference Room, New Hospital Expansion Bldg., Third Floor, Room 3025)

(variable credit up to 12, offered Fall/Spring/Summer)
Dissertation research credit for MCBD students.