Description
Molecular Diagnostics: Current Roles in Cancer Diagnosis 2026
A comprehensive three-day molecular oncology program covering next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, liquid biopsy, gene fusions, molecular biomarkers, tumor-specific testing, laboratory implementation, and precision cancer care.
Course Format: Recorded, on-demand educational package
Course Directors: Alanna Church, MD, MS; Lynette Sholl, MD; and Valentina Nardi, MD
Materials Included: 40 videos, 40 English subtitle files, and 41 PDF resources
About This Course
Molecular Diagnostics: Current Roles in Cancer Diagnosis 2026 provides a clinically focused introduction to modern molecular diagnostics in oncology for pathologists, oncologists, laboratory geneticists, and other professionals involved in cancer care.
Through expert-led lectures, case-based learning, multidisciplinary panels, and practical workshops, the course explains the principles behind molecular testing and demonstrates how results can be applied to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, and patient-centered precision oncology.
The program covers next-generation sequencing pipelines, bioinformatics architecture, gene fusion detection, liquid biopsy, circulating tumor DNA, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, homologous recombination deficiency, copy number analysis, cytogenomics, methylation profiling, germline testing, tumor-normal paired sequencing, artificial intelligence, and regulatory considerations.
Tumor-specific sessions address molecular diagnostics in sarcoma, gynecologic tumors, pediatric tumors, genitourinary cancers, gliomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, thyroid and salivary tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloid neoplasms.
Why Choose This Course
- Comprehensive review of modern molecular oncology and precision cancer diagnostics
- Practical explanation of NGS pipelines, variant interpretation, and bioinformatics workflows
- Detailed coverage of RNA- and DNA-based gene fusion testing
- Technical and clinical perspectives on liquid biopsy and circulating tumor DNA
- Tumor-specific molecular testing across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies
- Case reviews, multidisciplinary discussions, and tumor board simulation
- Laboratory leadership, program development, reimbursement, and regulatory guidance
- Includes 40 videos, 40 English subtitles, and 41 PDF educational resources
Core Learning Areas
NGS & Bioinformatics
NGS pipelines, informatics architecture, variant detection, indels, RNA and DNA analysis, long-read sequencing, clinically significant isoforms, and practical data interpretation.
Biomarkers & Liquid Biopsy
Tumor mutational burden, MSI, HRD, copy number variation, viral signatures, circulating tumor DNA, tissue-versus-liquid testing, and molecular residual disease concepts.
Tumor-Specific Diagnostics
Molecular applications in sarcoma, breast, lung, GI, GU, gynecologic, pediatric, thyroid, salivary, CNS, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloid tumors.
Clinical & Laboratory Integration
Tumor boards, result communication, pharmacogenomics, program development, artificial intelligence, regulatory requirements, reimbursement, and laboratory leadership.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the fundamental principles and methodologies of molecular diagnostics relevant to cancer care
- Interpret molecular test results for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decision-making
- Apply NGS, gene fusion, liquid biopsy, and biomarker results in clinical oncology
- Communicate molecular findings effectively within interdisciplinary teams and with patients
- Evaluate test selection, cost, access, workflow, and implementation considerations
- Recognize the role of germline testing and tumor-normal paired sequencing
- Integrate molecular findings from solid tumors and hematologic malignancies
- Understand the expanding roles of AI, cytogenomics, and methylation profiling
- Apply recent advances in molecular oncology to improve patient-centered care
Meet the Faculty
Learn from course directors with expertise in molecular pathology, pediatric cancer genomics, pulmonary pathology, hematologic molecular pathology, and clinical laboratory implementation.
Course Director
Alanna Church, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Boston Children’s Hospital
Course Director
Lynette Sholl, MD
Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Division Chief of Molecular Diagnostics, Mass General Brigham
Course Director
Valentina Nardi, MD
Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Associate Director of Hematological Molecular Pathology
Complete Curriculum
Course Welcome and Overview
Original Time: 8:30–8:40 AM
Integrated Molecular Oncology in 2026: Trends and Tools for Gene Fusion Detection
Original Time: 8:40–9:10 AM
End-to-End Process to Accelerating Treatment Initiation with Next-Day NGS
Original Time: 9:10–9:40 AM
Translation of Molecular to Immunohistochemistry
Original Time: 9:40–10:10 AM
Informatics Architecture
Original Time: 10:20–10:50 AM
NGS Pipelines Demystified: Practical Bioinformatics
Original Time: 10:50–11:20 AM
Tumor Mutation Burden, MSI, and HRD
Original Time: 11:20–11:50 AM
Indel Detection
Original Time: 11:50 AM–12:20 PM
Viral Sequence Detection and Other Signatures
Original Time: 1:20–1:50 PM
Gene Fusion Detection and Interpretation by RNA-Based NGS: A Practical, Case-Based Approach
Original Time: 1:50–2:20 PM
Detection of Clinically Significant Isoforms and Sub-Gene Events Through RNA and DNA-Based NGS
Original Time: 2:20–2:50 PM
Oncogenicity Interpretation of Gene Fusions Detected by RNA-Based NGS
Original Time: 2:50–3:20 PM
Applications of Long-Read Sequencing for Cancer Diagnostics
Original Time: 3:30–4:00 PM
Liquid Biopsy and ctDNA: Technical and Clinical Perspectives
Original Time: 4:00–4:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Tissue vs Liquid Biopsy
Original Time: 4:30–5:00 PM
Sarcoma and Fusion Testing
Original Time: 8:30–9:00 AM
Molecular Diagnostics for Gynecologic Tumors
Original Time: 9:00–9:30 AM
Molecular Diagnostics for Pediatric Tumors
Original Time: 9:30–10:00 AM
Genitourinary Cancer Molecular Markers
Original Time: 10:00–10:30 AM
Copy Number Variation via NGS and Microarray
Original Time: 10:40–11:20 AM
Cytogenomics: Technical Focus
Original Time: 11:20–11:50 AM
Cytogenomics: Clinical Focus
Original Time: 11:50 AM–12:20 PM
Gliomas and Methylation Profiling
Original Time: 12:20–12:50 PM
Germline Testing in Oncology
Original Time: 1:50–2:20 PM
Tumor-Normal Paired Sequencing: Clinical Impact
Original Time: 2:20–2:50 PM
Case Review: Pathology and Oncology Perspectives
Original Time: 2:50–3:20 PM
Melanoma Molecular Pathology
Original Time: 3:30–4:00 PM
Molecular Diagnostics for Breast Cancer
Original Time: 4:00–4:30 PM
Tumor Board Simulation: Real Case Review
Original Time: 4:30–5:00 PM
Myeloid Neoplasms and MRD Testing
Original Time: 8:30–9:00 AM
Leukemia Molecular Diagnostics: B- and T-Cell
Original Time: 9:00–9:30 AM
Molecular Diagnostics and Lymphoma
Original Time: 9:30–10:00 AM
Pharmacogenomics in Oncology Management
Original Time: 10:10–10:40 AM
Lung Tumor Testing
Original Time: 10:40–11:10 AM
Gastrointestinal Cancer: Case-Based Applications
Original Time: 11:10–11:40 AM
Thyroid Cancer and Salivary Tumor Genomics
Original Time: 11:40 AM–12:10 PM
Artificial Intelligence in Molecular Oncology
Original Time: 1:10–1:40 PM
Interactive Workshop: Case Report Writing and Communication
Original Time: 1:40–2:10 PM
The Power of Patient Partnership in Cancer Advocacy
Original Time: 2:10–2:40 PM
Building a Molecular Profiling Program
Original Time: 2:50–3:20 PM
Regulatory and Reimbursement Essentials
Original Time: 3:20–3:50 PM
Lab Leadership and Challenges
Original Time: 3:50–4:20 PM
Future Directions in Molecular Oncology
Original Time: 4:20–4:50 PM
Who Should Take This Course
This course is designed for pathologists, molecular pathologists, oncologists, hematopathologists, laboratory geneticists, laboratory directors, clinical laboratory professionals, bioinformatics specialists, translational researchers, precision oncology professionals, residents, fellows, and other clinicians involved in molecular cancer diagnosis and treatment planning.
Delivery & Access
Recorded Course
Study the sessions at your own pace through on-demand access.
40 Video Sessions
Complete three-day program covering molecular oncology and cancer diagnostics.
Subtitles & PDF Resources
Includes 40 English subtitle files and 41 PDF educational resources.
Support
Course Highlights
Focused coverage of NGS, molecular biomarkers, gene fusions, ctDNA, and contemporary precision oncology workflows.
Applies molecular testing to solid tumors, pediatric cancers, CNS tumors, and hematologic malignancies.
Includes bioinformatics, case review, reporting, tumor boards, regulation, reimbursement, and laboratory leadership.










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