Program Overview

Comprehensive Review in Clinical Cytogenetics

The Comprehensive Review in Clinical Cytogenetics is a two-day course designed for individuals eligible to sit for the Cytogenetics Exam, CG(ASCP), given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

Program Objectives

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify the key areas to study in order to prepare for a national certification exam.
• Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot frequently encountered problems in both prenatal and cancer cytogenetic laboratories.
• Organize their study time in an effective and efficient manner.
• Increase their fund of knowledge through analysis of current procedures to arrive at accurate conclusions and appropriate courses of action.

Program Details

The comprehensive review course covers topics specified in the current ASCP BOC content outline. During the program, participants will attend approximately 16 hours of lectures and receive an extensive study guide that includes:

• An outline of each subject area
• Illustrations
• Practice problems
• Other material that promotes effective and efficient study

Continuing Education Credit

The Cytogenetic Technology Program provides certificates of attendance to all who attend for the purposes of receiving CEU credit for recertification. The entire program is worth 16 contact hours. This program's instruction will be at the intermediate level.

Clinical Faculty

Highly qualified and experienced in the field of clinical cytogenetics, the faculty members include:

• Patrick Cheong, B.S., CG(ASCP)CM
• Iris Culwell, B.S., CG(ASCP)CM
• Lawrence Frimpong, CG(ASCP)CM
• Jun Gu, M.D., Ph.D., CG(ASCP)CM
• Steven Siu Lee, B.S., CG(ASCP)CM
• Thanh Mai, B.S., CG(ASCP)CM
• Atousa Maleki, Ph.D., FACMG
• Asha Multani, Ph.D., CG(ASCP)CM
• Manjunath Nimmakayalu, Ph.D., CG(ASCP)CM
• Janice Smith, Ph.D., FACMG
• Su Yang, B.S., CG(ASCP)CM

Schedule

The course will take place on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, 2026. The schedule includes:

Thursday

• 8 a.m.: Course Introduction
• 8:15 a.m.: Specimen Handling, Preparation and Processing
• 9:15 a.m.: Culturing Techniques
• 10:30 a.m.: Harvesting Techniques
• 10:45 a.m.: Test Taking Strategies
• 12 p.m.: Lunch
• 1 p.m.: Use and Maintenance of Microscopes and Computer Imaging Equipment for Image Analysis
• 2 p.m.: Chromosome Banding Techniques
• 2:45 p.m.: Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (a-CGH)
• 3 p.m.: Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Analysis
• 4 p.m.: Karyotyping Practice
• 5 p.m.: Adjournment

Friday

• 8 a.m.: Chromosome Analysis - The Basics
• 9 a.m.: Chromosome Analysis - Constitutional Issues
• 10:30 a.m.: Chromosome Analysis - Oncology Issues
• 10:45 a.m.: Laboratory Practice
• 12 p.m.: Lunch
• 1 p.m.: Chromosome Analysis - ISCN
• 2:30 p.m.: Laboratory Practice
• 2:45 p.m.: Evaluation and Adjournment

Registration and Fees

The 2-Day Comprehensive Review in Clinical Cytogenetics Course fee is $350, which includes course tuition, all materials, and meals as indicated in the course schedule. Registrations must be postmarked on or before March 20, 2026, to avoid a $25 late fee. Cancellations are refundable if a written request is received on or before March 20, 2026, minus a $50 administrative handling fee.

Travel and Lodging

Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements. Information on places to stay within close proximity to MD Anderson can be found on the Texas Medical Center Lodging page or the Houston Hotel Guide. Garage 10 is approximately $15/day and is the closest parking option.