Exam 32: Molecular Diagnostics in the Clinical Laboratory

DNA has been isolated from appropriate cells and placed in an aqueous buffer. If molecular testing cannot be immediately performed, what should be done?

Before molecular methods are performed, the DNA must be:

What is the preferred specimen for molecular techniques for diagnosis of inherited mutations?

Gel electrophoresis, restriction endonucleases, and hybridization techniques are methods to:

Where is messenger RNA formed?

How does ribonucleic acid (RNA) differ from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?

Why is the helical configuration of DNA important?

What is the cell type and tissue of choice for molecular techniques used to detect acquired DNA mutations leading to malignancy?

What is a tumor-suppressing cellular protein that can sense early DNA damage?

Why is a "no DNA" control used when performing molecular tests using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?

Molecular testing is useful for all of the following except: