The UCLA Molecular Microbiology and Pathogen Genomics (MMPG) Laboratory, within the section of clinical microbiology, provides cutting-edge molecular diagnostics for pathogen detection, quantification, and anti-microbial resistance (AMR) prediction by integrating the most advanced next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies with pathogen-focused bioinformatics for microbial whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and metagenomics testing, solving the unmet clinical needs in diagnosing and treating challenging infectious diseases. The MMPG Laboratory also performs real-time institution-level microbial genomic surveillance for outbreak investigation, emerging pathogen characterization, and AMR monitoring, providing timely and highly actionable information to guide infection prevention and treatment optimization.

The UCLA MMPG's mission is to:

• Solve unmet clinical needs and combating emerging pathogens and anti-microbial resistance (AMR) by integrating the most advanced molecular diagnostics and genomics technologies in microbiology.
• Serve the UCLA patients with the state-of-the-art diagnostics for challenging infectious diseases.
• Serve the community with a robust and highly sensitive real-time genomic surveillance program for early detection of novel pathogens and AMR mechanisms locally.

Examples of cases diagnosed by the MMPG that had a significant patient or community impact are below and are also on the MMPG website:

 

 

 

A seemingly ovarian tumor turned out to be an infection (uterine abscess) caused by an emerging pathogen named hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumonia (hvKp), discovered by the clinical genotyping capability of the UCLA MMPG lab, which helped preserve the patient’s right ovary, and contributed to a successful treatment. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary effort for the effective diagnosis and management of hvKp infections, which is on the rise in the SoCal community.

 

 

 

 

The UCLA MMPG Lab discovered a case of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) 1–producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) with extensive drug resistance (XDR). Whole-genome sequencing revealed the isolate was genetically distinctive, despite ≈95% similarity to other global strains. The patient’s lack of international travel suggests this CRPA was acquired domestically. The discovery of a local spread of NDM-1 producing CRPA sounded the alarm for the SoCal medical community to embrace for another XDR pathogen that’s challenging to treat.

 

Director: Shaun Yang, PhD, D(ABMM), MLS(ASCP)
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Associate Medical Director, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

MMPG's unofficial logo, as created by Lucas Yang.

To read more about the MMPG's Patient, Community Impact, Research & Innovation stories, Pathogen Discoveries, Education & Training, News, Publications, and more, please visit the MMPG's newly launched website.

 

From left to right:
Mikel Whittier, MHA, Director, Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. Chace Moleta
Dr. Medell Briggs-Malonson, MD, MPH, Chief, Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. Kenechukwu Ojukwu
Beckett Maravelias, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consulting Specialist

As highlighted in the 4/24/2024 Daily Bruin, “The UCLA Blood & Platelet Center celebrated its 15th anniversary with a fitting tribute – a daylong blood drive…Since its inception, the donation center on the A-Level of Ackerman Union has welcomed more than 18,000 unique donors and has obtained a total of 50,395 successful collections as of April 12, said Dr. Dawn Ward, medical director of the Blood & Platelet Center.” We are so proud of the work of our BPC staff, Blood Component Processing Lab staff and our Transfusion Medicine pathologists whose hard work allows us collect the blood and blood products that support the vast majority of UCLA patient blood product needs!!

Did you know that 1 liver transplant patient can require up to 100 blood products during their transplant surgery? If you have not donated before, or if it has been some time since your last donation, please consider scheduling an appointment to donate at our Ackerman Union or Gayley locations today. You can schedule online HERE.

We are delighted that UCLA Health highlighted our Technology Center for Genomics & Bioinformatics (TCGB) core in their April 1, issue! TCGB provides comprehensive bulk, single-cell and spatial sequencing for our research community.  

Dr. Xinmin Li, TCGB Director, shows the Novaseq X plus genomic sequencer. 

 

 

 

 

CLS Informational Seminar  

This is the 2nd CLS Informational Session hosted in partnership with Chemistry 147. Our goal for organizing these sessions is to increase the visibility of the career in order to combat the CLS shortages. This session provided a brief overview of the CLS position, their roles and duties within the clinic, and programs available in California.

 

We hope these informational sessions provide guidance and resources for undergraduates who are interested in different careers paths within the healthcare field. 

 

Front Row (Left to Right): Eunice Lee, Andrew Tum, Nathan Okawa, Ronald Gonzalez
Second Row (Left to Right): Lavita Boyd, Bethany Porter, Patricia Alonzo
Third Row (Left to Right): Students with Dr. Brian Lam

 

Email EuniceL@mednet.ucla.edu for more information.

We celebrated Pathologists’ Assistant Day (PA) Day on 4/14!

We appreciate each of our Pathologists’ Assistants for the critical role they play in supporting pathologists, residents, and fellows in providing high quality patient care and teaching.

Our amazing PA team includes:

Maria Rabina

Irving Casamalhuapa

 

Lenny Pazhavila

Justin Sheedy

Rosine Ly

Josie Pham (Outreach)

 

Samantha Powell

Sydney McDowell

 

From left to right (Santa Monica): Irving Casamalhuapa, Maria Rabina, and Sydney McDowell

From left to right (Westwood): Jessica Jones, Dr. Dry, Lenny Pazhavila, Josie Pham, Samantha Powell, and Justin Sheedy

 

 

The life of an administrative professional is a dynamic tapestry, woven with threads of versatility and precision. Their success hinges on meticulous organization, yet it’s their adaptability—the ability to deftly navigate the unexpected—that truly sets them apart. Within the bustling ecosystem of academic healthcare, administrative professionals play a pivotal role.

 

We want to recognize the professionals who keep the department running smoothly every day. Each of the teams listed below handle a myriad of tasks which we may not always see or recognize, but which enable our Department, faculty, trainees and staff to be successful in all our missions.

 

Please join me in thanking all of these staff for their contributions to the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for National Administrative Professionals' Day.