The heart of modern medicine beats in the laboratory. Whether diagnosing life-threatening infections or identifying the genetic markers of rare diseases, the work of medical laboratory scientists forms the backbone of healthcare. Dr. Cordner, an associate teaching professor of microbiology and molecular biology at BYU, highlights the pivotal role of diagnostics in the medical field, from identifying white blood cell patterns to tracking blood coagulation in conditions like hemophilia. His lab is pushing the boundaries of diagnostic science, offering quicker, more precise results that have the potential to shape patient outcomes globally.
The art of diagnosing begins long before a physician shares the news with their patients. Often, it starts in a lab, where skilled medical laboratory scientists analyze the unseen details within the body’s fluids. “Medical laboratory science generates an immense amount of medical data,” shares Dr. Cordner. “It’s been estimated that about 70 percent of the data in a medical record is generated by medical laboratory science (MLS).” Because of their vital contribution to healthcare, BYU MLS students enjoy almost a 100 percent job placement rate after graduation. Once in the field, medical laboratory scientists analyze a wide range of bodily fluids—spinal and amniotic fluids, urine, blood, and more—to identify pathogens and conduct virtually any blood or genetic test, providing essential support for accurate and comprehensive patient care.
The laboratory’s critical role in medicine is evident especially in blood analysis, a central focus for MLS in diagnosing conditions, tracking diseases, and assessing patient health. This intricate work in blood science has spurred further projects within Dr. Cordner’s lab, where students like Tullis are exploring innovative approaches to blood diagnostics.
Henry Tullis (Applied Math ‘26), a mathematics student focusing on mathematical biology is working on his honors thesis with Dr. Cordner to develop a more cost-effective method for hemophilia screening using a modified partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test. “The original PTT test measures how many seconds it takes for a sample of plasma (liquid portion of the blood) to clot in a small cuvette,” Dr. Cordner explains. “We have modified the test by using a microscope slide rather than a cuvette.” This allows the team to measure different fibrin patterns in the patient’s blood, revealing patterns that suggest the presence of hemophilia.
“This technology has significant potential in clinical settings,” says Cordner. “It can provide a quick and efficient screening to guide healthcare providers in the right diagnostic direction. For instance, if our modified PTT test indicates an 80 percent probability of hemophilia, we can then prioritize further appropriate genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis.”
For medical professionals operating in low-income areas where access to advanced, expensive equipment is limited, this technology would be invaluable, as the only additional equipment needed to perform the modified PTT test are microscope slides and a camera mount.
Increasing the availability of such diagnostic testing is crucial for advancing our understanding of hemophilia, especially since in recent years the disease has been shown to be three times more prevalent than previous estimates revealed. Because of this, Tullis and Cordner’s dedication to exploring previously underappreciated diagnostic options is essential, though in many ways they are navigating uncharted territory. As Tullis explains, “[observing blood clotting under a microscope] is a fairly unexplored area of hemophilic diagnostics. Often, we don't really understand everything that we're seeing. Our approach is a little unusual; we’ve had to learn a lot from trial and error because we're investigating something new.” Though there are papers on blood clotting patterns and its physical process, the team’s use of computers to analyze images aims to provide insights beyond the detection of the disease alone.
Thankfully, Cordner and Tullis remain undeterred. “One of the things I love to be able to share with [my students], almost more than anything else, is that they are truly loved and valued by an all-powerful and all-knowing Savior who knows their weaknesses,” Cordner expresses warmly. He trusts that, with faith, their research efforts will be guided and that any mortal failings encountered along the way will be part of the learning process. Similarly, Tullis feels spiritually guided, sharing that, “the biggest spiritual impression I've had in regards to this project is to simply explore it to the fullest and play with it.”
United by a shared desire to provide underserved communities with more efficient and reliable testing for hemophilia, Cordner and Tullis exemplify the critical importance of a strong medical laboratory science system in ensuring the success of our healthcare system as a whole.