Question

Identify molecular diagnostic technique IN DETAIL ,  For the technique you select, write a paragraph describing 4 pre-analytical variable in subject of EMERGING TRENDS IN DIAGNOSTICS

Answer 1

Molecular diagnostic techniques: The term molecular diagnostics refers to tests used to predict a disease, or the predisposition to a disease, by analyzing DNA or RNA or their proteins, in humans or, in the case of infections, in microbes . Some of the major molecular diagnostic techniques are as follows-

Nucleic acid hybridization: A technique in which single-stranded nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) are allowed to interact so that complexes called hybrids are formed by molecules with similar, complementary sequences

Amplification techniques: A technique used to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a segment of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence. For example PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

Plasmid profiling: Plasmids can serve as markers of various bacterial strains when a typing system referred to as plasmid profiling, or plasmid fingerprinting is used.

Nucleotide sequencing: A technique used to determine the order of nucleotides (adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine) in a DNA segment.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism: A technique in which a DNA sequence hybridizes with one or more fragments of the digested DNA sample after they were separated by gel electrophoresis, thus revealing a unique blotting pattern characteristic to a specific genotype at a specific locus.

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis: Pulsed field gel electrophoresis is a technique used for the separation of large DNA molecules by applying to a gel matrix an electric field that periodically changes direction.

Pre-analytical variables for PCR (polymerase chain reaction): Pre-analytical variables refers to any and all procedures that occur during sample collection, prior to sample analysis. Pre-analytical variables may include patient identification, physical sample collection, sample transportation to the testing site and sample preparation. Suppose someone is analyzing dengue virus sample by using PCR technique, the pre-analytical variables including the storage and transport of patient samples, the stability of viral RNA in the samples and methods of isolating viral RNA of high yield and quality, have major impacts on the on the analysis by using PCR technique. Hence, the technical challenges associated with these pre-analytical issues must first be identified and optimized.