title: Molecular pathology - the value of an integrative approach.
abstract: Molecular Pathology (MP) is at the heart of modern diagnostics and translational research, but the controversy on how MP is best developed has not abated. The lack of a proper model or trained pathologists to support the diagnostic and research missions makes MP a rare commodity overall. Here we analyse the scientific and technology areas, in research and diagnostics, which are encompassed by MP of solid tumours; we highlight the broad overlap of technologies and analytical capabilities in tissue research and diagnostics; and we describe an integrated model that rationalizes technical know-how and pathology talent for both. The model is based on a single, accredited laboratory providing a single standard of high-quality for biomarker discovery, biomarker validation and molecular diagnostics.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Tissue Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: m.salto-tellez@qub.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salto-Tellez
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Tissue Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Jacqueline A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D014015:Tissue Banks; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Molecular diagnostics; Molecular pathology; Translational research