
Cytogenetics Lab
Under the leadership of Joyce Murata-Collins, Ph.D. (ABMGG board-certified clinical cytogeneticist, director), and Jia-Chi (Jack) Wang, Ph.D., the Cytogenetics Service performs over 8,000 diagnostic cancer cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) procedures annually with an overall abnormality rate of approximately 32.2 percent. Testing to detect and characterize leukemias, lymphomas and solid tumors is performed on fresh and archival FPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) tissues.
A Premier Diagnostic Facility
Advanced testing methodologies are utilized for:
- G-banded Chromosome Analysis
- FISH
- FISH Oncology Detection Assays:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Multiple Myeloma Targeted Plasma Cell
- Solid Tumors:
- Neuroblastoma — MYCN/CEP2
- Ewing Sarcoma — EWSR1
- Synovial Sarcoma — SS18
- Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma — FOX01A
The director in Cancer Cytogenetics, Joyce Murrata-Collins' research focuses on leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Lab Members
Victoria Bedell
Senior Research Associate
vbedell@coh.org
626-218-2025
Maria Valle-Catuna
Research Associate II
mvcatuna@coh.org
626-218-2025