Molecular Diagnositics

what is the specimen of choice for detection of chlamydia, CMV, and BK virus (associated with rejection of transplanted kidney)

urine

what is the specimen of choice for detection of intestinal pathogens

feces

what is the specimen of choice for detection of infectious agents and cancer cells

CSF, synovial, pericardial, pleural or ascetic fluids

what is the specimen of choice for detection of sickle cell anemia, thalassemia or other chromosomal abnormalities/ inherited disoders

amniotic fluid

what are the steps in PCR

1. denaturing (dsDNA separated by heat)

2. annealing (hybridization: DNA primers bind to complementary site on denatured DNA)

3. extension (polymerization: DNA polymerase attaches to ends of primers, synthesizing new strands of DNA(

what is the negative control used for in PCR

to check for contamination

what is the internal control used for in PCR

demonstrates that PCR is working/ detects PCR inhibitors

PCR method utilizing simultaneous amplification and detection (fluorescence) in sealed tube; commonly used for microorganisms

Real-Time PCR

PCR method utilizing more than 1 set of primers so multiple targets can be amplified in the same tube

Multiplex PCR

PCR method used to amplify RNA; used to detect HIV and HCV or measure gene expression

Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)

which blotting technique is used to analyze DNA

southern blot

which blotting technique is used to analyze RNA

northern blot

what is molecular diagnosis used for in Microbiology

detecting microorganisms, viral load testing, and genotyping to determine antimicrobial resistance

what is molecular diagnosis used for in Blood banking

screening donors for bloodborne pathogens: HIV, HBV, HCV, West Nile Virus

what is molecular diagnosis used for in Coagulation

determination of factor V Leiden and Von Willebrand’s Disease

what is molecular diagnosis used for in Hematology

diagnosis/classification of T and B cell malignancies, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and monitoring of therapy/remission

what is molecular diagnosis used for in Immunology

diagnosis of HIV, HBV, HCV, CMV, and measurement of cytokine activity