Mayo Clinic’s Discovery’s Edge Highlights How New Tests Are Developed

By Kelley Luedke • January 1, 2018

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Mayo Clinic recently launched a first-in-the-U.S. clinical test that helps patients who recently have been diagnosed with an inflammatory demyelinating disease (IDD) but may be unsure of the exact disorder.

The new test can distinguish other IDDs such as neuromyelitis optica, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, and transverse myelitis from multiple sclerosis (MS). The test uses live cells to identify patients who are positive for an antibody to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (or “MOG,” for short).

Discovery's Edge, Mayo Clinic's research magazine, recently highlighted how this type of test is developed.

The test was created by Mayo Clinic’s Neuroimmunology Laboratory within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. The lab discovers antibodies and validates antibody tests to clarify differences among autoimmune diseases.

Founded in 1981 by Vanda Lennon, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic immunologist, the lab is currently co-directed by Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.CH., M.D., and Sean Pittock, M.D.—both Mayo Clinic neurologists.

Read the full article to learn how the test was developed.

Kelley Luedke

Kelley Luedke is a Marketing Channel Manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. She is the principle editor and writer of Insights and leads social media and direct marketing strategy. Kelley has worked at Mayo Clinic since 2013. Outside of work, you can find Kelley running, traveling, playing with her kitty, and exploring new foods.