| Letter
from the Director
Pathology is defined as the study of the
mechanism of the disease process. This definition places Pathology
at the interface between Biology and Medicine. The discipline
of Pathology has historically focused on the diagnosis and
status of disease using classical techniques such as microscopic
examination of cells and tissues, and the utilization of clinical
laboratory methodologies. To add depth to these diagnostic
approaches, contemporary Molecular Pathology adds a 21st century
approach to an experimental, laboratory-based discipline that
dissects the abnormal biology and molecular mechanisms that
underlie the disease process.
The study of the molecular basis of disease
encompasses a variety of basic techniques so that biochemistry,
structural biology, cell biology and molecular biology are
brought to bear on our understanding of how etiologic agents
and processes affect cellular macromolecular events. Molecular
pathology is also a multi-faceted scientific inquiry where
the goal is to elucidate how molecular events are expressed
at the cellular, tissue and organ levels. Training in Molecular
Pathology provides the student with the scientific background
and opportunity to expand their basic research expertise into
areas at the forefront of medicine. Students in the program
will advance their knowledge into human pathogenesis by acquiring
methodological skills to elucidate mechanisms of disease.
Students are enriched with an ongoing exposure to the totality
of the disease spectrum as it translates into human pathology
and molecular medicine.
Diane Hickson-Bick, Ph.D.
Program Director. |
