University of California-San Francisco · BiologyDevine Lab
Walter Patrick Devine · San Francisco, California
Research Focus
Dr. Walter Patrick Devine's lab at UCSF focuses on improving clinical testing methods for patients with advanced cancers, particularly those suffering from malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). The research aims to optimize the analysis of cell-free DNA found in the fluid collected during thoracentesis, which is often the only specimen available for diagnosing cancer. By developing standardized protocols for processing this DNA, the team hopes to enhance testing accuracy and efficiency, ultimately benefiting patient care.
malignant pleural effusioncell-free DNAmolecular testingthoracentesispreanalytical processingcancer diagnosticsmolecular pathologycytopathologystandard operating procedures
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate the optimal preanalytical variables for processing cfDNA from malignant pleural effusions.
AIM 02Compare different techniques for cfDNA isolation to determine the most effective method.
AIM 03Develop standardized protocols that can integrate into existing clinical workflows for molecular testing.
AIM 04Validate these protocols using a certified multi-gene sequencing assay.
Skills the Lab Values
cfDNA isolationmolecular analysis techniquescell centrifugationthickness and slide preparationHematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stainingbiopsy proceduresdata collection and analysisexperimental designclinical workflow integration
Output against the department
Publications80bottom 23% of dept.784th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.0kbottom 14% of dept.889th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.