Juan Carlos Velásquez, Md, Deputy General Manager of COLCAN Clinical Laboratory, is at the forefront of genetic innovation in the medical field. Genetics, the branch of biology responsible for studying the inheritance and variation of organisms, has made notable advances in recent decades. These advances have led to the introduction of precision medicine, transforming the way diseases are approached and treated.
The identification of genetic biomarkers has made it possible to select more effective therapies, reducing side effects and improving the effectiveness of medical decisions. This revolutionary diagnostic practice involves adapting medical treatments to the specific characteristics of each patient, considering their genetic information, environment, and lifestyle. COLCAN Clinical Laboratory is at the forefront of this genetic innovation and is the undisputed leader in genomics and precision medicine.
With more than 36 years of experience in the health sector, COLCAN has become the scientific support for medical decision making, offering a wide range of specialized genetic tests from cardiology to oncology. Its advanced genomics center, called C-Gen, incorporates cutting-edge technologies to carry out chromosomal and molecular tests, identifying various alterations in the genetic material responsible for pathologies affecting the correct functioning and development of organs and systems.
COLCAN’s genomic sciences unit covers areas such as genetics, cytogenetics, molecular biology, and paternity, implementing rigorous processing techniques and advanced technologies such as optical genome mapping (OGM), along with advanced technologies such as Sanger, MLPA, FISH, and NGS.
In the oncological field, two specific genetic panels stand out: Onco 8 and Onco Plus. These hereditary-familial cancer panels use next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze genetic variants, identifying various types of neoplasms.
COLCAN Clinical Laboratory is projected as a reference in the application of genetic advances with cutting-edge technology to improve the health and well-being of people, offering solutions adapted to the needs of health institutions in the fascinating field of genetics and precision medicine. With a portfolio of more than 3,000 types of exams and nearly six million exams processed in the last year, COLCAN, as a reference laboratory, is the ally of doctors, laboratories, and health institutions in the country offering a range of possibilities to improve the health of Colombians.