International Initiative to Advance Molecular Diagnostics and Hematopathology in Ukraine

Details

Amidst the full-scale war, where the continuous professional development of Ukrainian doctors is critical for providing high-quality medical care, a unique educational collaboration continues. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Department of Clinical Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the Shupyk National University of Health of Ukraine, the International Academy of Pathology (IAP), the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Louisville, and the Global Pathology and Laboratory Consortium (GPALM) in association with the University of Michigan, Ukrainian specialists have gained access to world-class expertise.

On January 14, 2026, a specialized training event titled "Molecular talk, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) sign-out tutorial" took place. This workshop was dedicated to the practical aspects of implementing and interpreting the results of NGS — a method that is fundamentally transforming modern diagnostics.

Leading experts in the field — Annette Kim, MD, PhD, Julianne Szczepanski, MD, and Xiaoming (Mindy) Wang, PhD — provided participants with a comprehensive overview of NGS methodology. The primary focus was on:

Fundamental principles of the NGS method and its technological advantages;
Specifics of working with specialized software for bioinformatic analysis of the data obtained;
Identification of various types and variants of genetic material changes detected via NGS;
Modern criteria for the classification of these changes to ensure accurate diagnosis.

To conclude, the lecturers reviewed several clinical cases from their own practice, demonstrating how molecular data is integrated into real-world diagnostic protocols.

The educational series continued the following day, on January 15, 2026, with the 6th webinar of this international initiative. This session focused on current issues in hematopathology, specifically the topic: "Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)".

The featured speaker was the renowned specialist Mustafa Al-Kawaaz, MD. In his presentation, Dr. Al-Kawaaz detailed the causes of MDS development, highlighting the factors that drive cellular transformation toward malignancy. Significant attention was paid to:

Updated standards in the current classification of Myelodysplastic Syndromes;
Nuances of interpreting immunohistochemical and molecular-genetic research data in the context of MDS;
Differential diagnosis algorithms for verifying complex cases.

Following the theoretical part, Dr. Al-Kawaaz held an interactive session, providing comprehensive answers to the questions from Ukrainian colleagues, which allowed for a more detailed discussion of the practical nuances of MDS diagnosis.

We sincerely thank our international partners for their unwavering support and significant contribution to the development of the Ukrainian medical community. The opportunity to learn from the world’s leading experts, despite all the challenges of the war, is invaluable for Ukrainian physicians. This collaboration not only enriches our doctors with knowledge but also demonstrates true professional solidarity, helping us move forward and save lives.

Information for Participants

We would like to remind you that the GPALM educational lecture series in partnership with the University of Michigan takes place every Wednesday at 3:00 PM Kyiv time.

Link to join: