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Lunenfeld- Tanenbaum
Research Institute
Mount Sinai Hospital
Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex
600 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1X5
Tel.: 416-586-4800 ext.6115
► Web of Science Researcher ID
J-5559-2016
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Dr. Lerner-Ellis is a clinical molecular geneticist who serves as Head of the Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at Mount Sinai Hospital; Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Associate at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.
In addition to his core interests in molecular diagnostics, as applied to breast and colon cancer, a major aim of his research is to integrate genome sequencing into the general practice of medicine. His research aims to improve our understanding of the relationship between DNA variants and disease using technologies for data sharing and variant interpretation.
The Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (AMD) at Mount Sinai Hospital is a clinically certified lab that serves as an international reference centre for molecular diagnostics. The lab has a focus in hereditary breast, ovarian; and colon cancer. Clinical services extend to tumour genotyping and microsatellite instability; gastrointestinal stromal tumours; a variety of sarcomas; and coagulopathies.
The AMD, located within Mount Sinai’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, includes one of the world’s largest collections of cancer-related patient samples, which also comprises a large number of tumour-normal tissues and DNA specimens. As a service genetics lab for clinicians, AMD processes approximately 10,000 patient samples per year.
At a Glance
Head and Director, Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital as well as Assistant Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
His laboratory focuses on hereditary breast, ovarian and colon cancers and has one of the world’s largest collections of cancer-related patient samples
One research goal is to integrate exome/genome sequencing into the general practice of medicine and to use this technology to identify new genes and genomic variants of clinical relevance
Dr Lerner-Ellis’ research also aims to improve our understanding of the relationship between DNA variants and disease using new technologies
Major Research Activities
Dr. Lerner-Ellis’s current research goals are geared towards providing major improvements in the clinical sensitivity of genetic testing through greater reliance on new sequencing technology. To this end, his team is developing a framework for the analysis and identification of a wide range of disorders. A concurrent aim of this research is the identification of new genes and genomic variants of clinical relevance. One study involves the sequencing the exomes of patients with a view to identifying novel genes and developing improved therapies. The goal is to determine the extent to which exome or genome sequencing can be used in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, and to address the many challenges related to integrating genome sequencing into the general practice of medicine. Developing new technologies for sharing and interpreting genomic data will lead to major improvements in healthcare delivery.