Michael Bradley Datto
Associate Professor of Pathology

Dr. Datto is an AP/CP/MGP board certified pathologist who specializes in molecular pathology. He is the Medical Director for Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories.  He also directs the Duke University Health System Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. In these roles, he is responsible for maintaining the standards of the College of American Pathologists and CLIA/CMS within all Clinical Laboratories at Duke.  Specifically, Dr. Datto oversees clinical testing and reporting, develops quality management systems and proficiency testing programs, provides consultation with ordering physicians, ensures educational programs, develops strategic plans that are in line with the needs of our patient population, physicians and health system leadership, coordinates research and development, ensures adequate and appropriately trained personnel, and provides profession interpretation for molecular diagnostic testing including the wide range of PCR, quantitative PCR, sequencing and FISH based tests for inherited genetic diseases, hematologic malignancies, solid tumors and infectious diseases.


Dr. Datto also has an independent research program developing and evaluating multigene assays to determine cancer patient specific prognoses in the context of breast, ovary and colon cancer. The ultimate goal of this work is to produce improved molecular diagnostic assays that incorporate genome wide prognostic and diagnostic molecular profiling into the clinical laboratories for routine patient care. This involves the study of factors that affect the precision and accuracy of array-based and next-generation sequencing based approaches, as well as the discovery of novel diagnostic molecular makers. Finally, Dr. Datto has a strong research interest in resident and medical student education, specifically the development of web-base community tools for anatomic and clinical pathology education.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Contact Information

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