• • The application of molecular diagnostics to the clinical laboratory encompasses microbiology, virology, genetics, oncology, and human identification.
  • Objectives guide the reader toward the knowledge that should be gained upon completion of each chapter.
  • Advanced Concepts appear in boxes throughout the text to challenge those students interested in a higher level of learning.
  • Historical Highlights enable interested students to apply a historical perspective to the topics.
  • Case Studies in the clinical chapters show students how to apply molecular concepts to diagnostic testing.
  • Key Terms are bolded and defined within the text where they first appear.
  • Study Questions at the end of each chapter reinforce the content. Answers, included in the appendix, allow for self assessment outside of the classroom.
  • Citations of seminal publications encourage the interested student to read and pursue at greater depth the various topics discussed

I. Fundamentals of Nucleic Acid Biochemistry: An Overview

1. DNA
2. RNA
3. Proteins

II. Common Techniques in Molecular Biology

4. Nucleic Acid Extraction Methods
5. Resolution and Detection of Nucleic Acids
6. Analysis and Characterization of Nucleic Acids and Proteins
7. Nucleic Acid Amplification
8. Chromosomal Structure and Chromosomal Mutations
9. Gene Mutations
10. DNA Sequencing

III. Techniques in the Clinical Lab

11. DNA Polymorphisms and Human Identification
12. Detection and Identification of Microorganisms
13. Molecular Detection of Inherited Diseases
14. Molecular Oncology
15. DNA-Based Tissue Typing
16. Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Molcular Laboratory

Appendix

Index