Genetic Testing

                                         What is Genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that classifies human DNA to find genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations. The results help predict diseases by looking at the all the genes. Here are some methods of genetic testing :

 

-Molecular testing

-Serum screening

-Biochemical Genetic tests

 

 

 

                                                  Molecular Testing

Molecular testing (or diagnostics) detect specific sequences in DNA or RNA that may be associated with a disease including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), deletions. Each diagnosis requres the following 3 steps: 1) The extraction of and purification of nucliec acid. 2)The amplification or making copies of the nucleic acid of interest (target) or attaching multiple copies of a dye to a single target copy. 3)The detection of the amplified target using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or end product detection including microarrays, Luminex (similar to flow cytometry), or sequencing.

 

 

                                                    Serum Screening

Serum Screening is a blood test that is tested during pregnancy. This blood test is performed at 15 to 20 weeks. It measures the hormones in the mother;'s blood. By combining the mother's age with the results, it can calculate the risk of the baby having Down's syndrome. It is not exactly accurate. A Down's syndrome baby is occasionally born to a woman with a low risk. 

 

 

 

                                                 Biochemical Analysis

Biochemical testing examines different levels of certain substances and enzymes that are built by chemical reactions in the body. Metabollic disorders are usually the outcome of absent or nonfunctional enzymes. When an enzyme is absent, significantly large quantity is reduced, or if it's not working correctly, the body cannot perform its usual reactions. Several harmful changes in body biochemistry can occur like accumulation of substrate, accumulation of precursors, deficiency of products, redirection of substrate into alternate pathways as a result.