Amanda Taylor (General Laboratory Supervisor/Safety Officer), Amanda Schaefer (Hearing Genetic Counselor), Dr. Richard Smith (Lab Director)

The Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories (MORL) is a CLIA approved, Joint Commission accredited diagnostic laboratory with a technical expertise in clinical genetic testing and interpretation. The Clinical Diagnostic Services arm of MORL (MORL CDS) began providing comprehensive genetic screening for non-syndromic hearing loss to physicians in 1999. An expansion of services in 2005 allowed the laboratory to be the first to offer comprehensive genetic screening for patients with the complement mediated renal diseases, atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Dense Deposit Disease. The diagnostic division expanded again in 2010 with the addition of a complete array of complement protein functional assays.  In 2012, we became the first laboratory in the world to offer a comprehensive next generation sequencing platform to detect variants in all known hearing loss genes simultaneously. The MORL continued to update and expand. In 2013, we began testing for C3 Glomerulonephritis and in 2014, a comprehensive thrombotic microangiopathy panel was added to the list of services being offered to patients and physicians.  We are continually striving to add more tests and services to aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients.

The MORL CDS maintains a quality assurance program guided by CLIA and Joint Commission requirements. The MORL CDS is staffed by 21 people with over 60 years of molecular genetics experience in a clinical laboratory environment.

If you have any questions about our testing services please contact Amy Weaver at 319-335-6623 or amy-weaver@uiowa.edu.

If you have any questions about billing please contact Cathy Min Feng at min-feng@uiowa.edu