Polymerase chain reaction

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTIONNOWADAYS

Esteban Vallejo AgudeloMedicine Student

INTRODUCCIÓNPolymerase Chain Reaction is a molecular technique discovered by Kary Mullis. PCR multiplies the copies of DNA and facilitates its study.

Medicine and Molecular Biology must work together for make a integral diagnosis and the best treatment

Boy or Girl? Simple Blood Test in the first Trimester Predicts Fetal Gender

ScienceDaily (Jan. 3, 2012)

Journal Reference:

J. H. Lim, S. Y. Park, S. Y. Kim, D. J. Kim, J. E. Choi, M. H. Kim, J. S. Choi, M. Y. Kim, J. H. Yang, H. M. Ryu.Effective detection of fetal sex using circulating fetal DNA in first-trimester maternal plasma. The FASEB Journal, 2011; 26 (1): 250 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-191429

http://dx.doi.org/10.1096/fj.11-191429


• A gruop of Korean researchers found a way to now the fetus sex in firsts weeks after conception

• It’s a simple test where the blood of the mother is analized by PCR looking for the ratios of two enzyms. (DYS14/GAPDH)

• Conventional fetal gender determination needs a invasive process and it has 1 or 2 percent risk of miscarriage.

• The determination using ultrasonography can only be practiced after third trimester because of the external genitalia development


• The researchers studied the plasma of 203 women during first trimester of pregnancy.

• The presence of circulating fetal DNA was confirmed by a quantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction of U-PDE9A. Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to simultaneously quantify the amount of DYS14 and GAPDH in maternal plasma. This last test was related with the sex and the results were confirmed after the birth.


STUDENT OBSERVATION

I think PCR is a really important tool in medicine nowadays, and we need to keep researching looking to explode all the advantaged that is yet to find. This is an important step in the topic but our main target must be also the discovery of genetic diseases as fast as it's possible and fix it.

I think PCR is a really important tool in medicine nowadays, and we need to keep researching looking to explode all the advantaged that is yet to find. This is an important step in the topic but our main target must be also the discovery of genetic diseases as fast as it's possible and fix it.

How Accurate Are Rapid Flu Tests?

ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2012)

Journal Reference:

Caroline Chartrand, Mariska M.G. Leeflang, Jessica Minion, Timothy Brewer, Madhukar Pai. Accuracy of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests A Meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2012


• PCR is the Gold Standard test for Diagnosing Flu

• However a group of canadian researchers made a meta-analysis from 159 studies about the diagnosis of Flu


• They published the Rapid Influenza Tests RIDTs, where they showed three key finding to diagnose Flu.

• It's a simple test to use, gives results in 15 minutes without having to be sent to a lab.

How Accurate Are Rapid Flu Tests?• The early diagnosis of flu is very

important for optimal patient care and infection control because Influenza treatment is most effective when started early in the course of the illness. said Dr. Timothy Brewer, Director of Global Health Programs at McGill and one of the study authors.

STUDENT OBSERVATION

The develop of new fast and cheap methods to diagnose is really important for medicine if we look the sustenance of the system. However, PCR represents a very certain test in Gold Standard of many diseases, so we have to be rather careful of not neglecting the science character of medicine instead the price.

The develop of new fast and cheap methods to diagnose is really important for medicine if we look the sustenance of the system. However, PCR represents a very certain test in Gold Standard of many diseases, so we have to be rather careful of not neglecting the science character of medicine instead the price.

MEDICAL UTILITY

• With the advance of technology, molecular biology has become an important tool for medical diagnosis. The tests are becoming more advanced and represent an important support to follow daily advancing.

MEDICAL UTILITY

• PCR can be used for the analysis of multiple conditions involving DNA, thus it has an invaluable clinical significance that must continue to move towards an application for promotion and health prevention.

MEDICAL UTILITY

• The news presented show the important relationship that exists between medicine and molecular biology for the care, diagnosis and treatment of disease, promotion and prevention. It is important that this relationship will continue to strengthen with advancing of technology .

REFERENCES

• Martínez-Sánchez LM, Vargas-Grisales N, Toro-Montoya AE, Pamplona-Sierra AP, Quevedo-Orrego E. Biología Molecular, Libro de Clase, 6ta Edición. Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana; Enero de 2011

• J. H. Lim, S. Y. Park, S. Y. Kim, D. J. Kim, J. E. Choi, M. H. Kim, J. S. Choi, M. Y. Kim, J. H. Yang, H. M. Ryu. Effective detection of fetal sex using circulating fetal DNA in first-trimester maternal plasma. The FASEB Journal, 2011; 26 (1): 250. New avaliable in: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135454.htm

• Caroline Chartrand, Mariska M.G. Leeflang, Jessica Minion, Timothy Brewer, Madhukar Pai. Accuracy of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests A Meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2012. New avaliable in: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120227204725.htm

GRACIAS

Health & Medicine

Polymerase chain reaction