Molecular diagnostics : techniques and applications for the clinical laboratory / edited by Wayne W. Grody [and others].

Includes bibliographical references and index.

I. Introduction and Methodology -- Quantivative PCR: an introduction -- Signal Amplification Methods in Molecular Diagnostics -- The Lab-on-a-Chip Approach for Molecular Diagnostics -- Nucleic Extraction and Amplification -- General Procedures -- II. Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Ethical Issues -- Billing and Reimbursement for Molecular Diagnostics -- Molecular Pathology and Infectious Diseases -- Ethical Considerations in Molecular Diagnostics -- Quality Control, Assurance, Identification and Standards -- III. Genetic Disease -- Molecular Testing for Cystic Fibrosis and CFTR-Related Conditions -- Carrier Testing for Neurogenetic Diseases -- Hemochromatosis -- Standards and Recommendations for Molecular Diagnostic Testing for Huntington Disease, the Autosomal Dominant Spinocerebellar Ataxias, and Friedreich Ataxia -- IV. Cancer -- The Role of Micro-RNAs in Cancer -- Molecular Diagnostics in the Evaluation of Cancer: Modern Concepts and Overview -- Gene Expression Analysis for Tumor Profiling GEA for TP -- Molecular Diagnostics of Hematopoetic Malignancies -- V. Infectious Diseases -- Viruses -- Hepatic B and C Viruses -- Molecular Diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus -- Molecular Detection of Multiple Respiratory Viruses -- Bacteria -- Molecular Methods for Identification and Characterization of Acinetobacter species -- Molecular Detection and Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections -- Molecular Detection Of Group B Streptococcus -- Role of Molecular Techniques in the Epidemiologic Investigation Of Hospital-Acquired Infections -- Human Papilloma Virus and its Role in Cervical Carcinoma -- VI. Specialized Applications of Molecular Testing -- Molecular HLA Typing Methods Used in Clinical Laboratories -- Identification through DNA analysis in criminal and family relatedness investigations -- VII. Pharmacogenetics -- Overview of Pharmacogenomics and Applications for the Modern Clinical Laboratory -- UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 and the Glucuronidation in Oncology Applications and Hyperbilirubinemia -- Pharmacogenetics of P-450 Enzymes -- Pharmacogenomics of Thiopurine Methyl Transferase (TPMT): Importance in Monitoring of Mercaptopurine/Azathioprine Therapy.

Advances in genomic and proteomic profiling of disease have transformed the field of molecular diagnostics, thus leading the way for a major revolution in clinical practice. While the range of tests for disease detection and staging is rapidly expanding, many physicians lack the knowledge required to determine which tests to order and how to interpret results. This handbook provides a complete guide to the use and interpretation of molecular testing in the clinical arena. No other available resource offers this emphasis, comprehensive scope, and practical utility in the clinical setting.