The Regional Cytogenetics laboratory at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in affiliation with the University of Western Ontario (UWO) provides Cytogenetics services for ~1.6 million people in Southwestern Ontario. The catchment area covers Bruce, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Huron, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth counties.

We provide a full range of constitutional and cancer Cytogenetics services, including routine chromosome diagnostics, advanced molecular Cytogenetics (FISH) tests, and collaborative investigational services. Types of specimens processed include blood, amniotic fluid, chorionic villus, skin, products of conception, bone marrow, solid tumors, and others. The lab also performs growth of cell lines for molecular cytogenetics, DNA or biochemical testing and research.

Chromosome anomalies may be the cause of many human disorders and conditions, such as mental retardation, learning difficulty, autism, dysmorphism, infertility, miscarriages, and cancers. Chromosome disorders are present in ~1% of live births, in ~2% of pregnancies in women over 35 years old, and in ~50% of all spontaneous first-trimester abortions. Specific chromosome anomalies are responsible for more than 100 identifiable syndromes (e.g. Down syndrome, Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome). Chromosome aberrations may also be associated with the development of cancer (e.g. leukemia, lymphoma, breast, ovarian, brain, or prostate cancers). Cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics investigations play an increasingly significant role in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of many human diseases.

The Cytogenetics Lab actively participates in education programs and molecular cytogenetic research activities at LHSC and UWO.

The Cytogenetics Lab has a team of 17 highly qualified and motivated staff: 1 senior technologist (Shirley Nan), 1 secretary (Claire Gunn) and 14 technologists. The Lab director (Dr. Jie Xu) is a clinical Cytogeneticist certified by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.