Who we are

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology is diverse. Our community is engaged in investigating disease mechanisms and patterns, and translating new knowledge and discoveries into improved health outcomes for patients and populations.

Through basic, clinical, and translational discovery, teaching and clinical training, we educate and mentor the next generation of life science and laboratory medicine critical thinkers.

We are at a unique interface where we can take clinical questions and investigate them at the bench. Our discoveries can be translated into diagnostics and treatments for patients or to advance and challenge current knowledge. This cycle of discovery and translation means that our extraordinary people have a direct and lasting impact on health across multiple fields.

Our mission: what we exist to do

We prepare future leaders in laboratory medicine and pathobiology and improve the health outcomes of individuals and populations through the integration of innovative research, education, and clinical practice.

Our vision: what we work toward

We help societies get healthier by advancing the understanding and diagnosis of disease.

Our values : what we see in our people

We care about improving health for all 

We strive for excellence

We collaborate to look at problems in new ways

We bring out the best in people

We are diverse and inclusive

We invest in the wellness of our people

We are agile in our response to emerging ideas and technologies

Our research

We are a diverse department studying disease and its impact on health. We seek to improve diagnostics and treatments to help societies get healthier.

We group our research into the below main areas:

1. Artificial Intelligence in healthcare
2. Brain and Neuroscience 
3. Cancer
4. Cardiovascular
5. Genetics, Genomics and Proteomics 
6. Hematopathology 
7. Human development, aging and regenerative medicine 
8. Infectious diseases and immunopathology 
9. Metabolism and nutrition 
10. Molecular and cell biology 

What is Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology? 

Laboratory Medicine refers to the branch of medicine in which patient samples are tested to diagnose, treat and prevent disease. 

Pathobiology encompasses: 

• Pathology: the nature of changes produced by disease. 
• Pathogenesis: the mechanisms and changes in disease that occur at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level. 
• Pathophysiology: the changes in organ and systems function that accompany disease. 

From basic research to clinical care

Our size and diversity are the keys to our success, creating a fertile culture that fosters innovative collaborations for virtually any disease process. We are especially well positioned as a leader across the continuum of discovery research and implementation into practice. 

As part of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, we offer unparalleled access to: 

• More than 450 expert faculty including basic scientists, laboratory physicians, and scientists 
• Outstanding case material 
• A stunning array of research opportunities 
• Diverse training sites 
• Engaging student-run organizations 
• One of North America’s largest and most ethnically diverse cities 

Breadth and depth of opportunity provides our students with an easily customizable experience. The possibilities are boundless.