Molecular Pathology: The Profession
The Diagnostic Molecular Scientist is a professional who is qualified by academic and applied education to provide service in the molecular diagnosis of acquired, inherited and infectious diseases. The goal of molecular diagnostics is to enhance the value of clinical laboratory services by providing advanced techniques and applying genetic information to the testing of patient specimens. This type of laboratory science has presented lab professionals with new challenges that include unique kinds of testing, unusual ethical issues, and advanced molecular techniques. There is a shortage of qualified individuals available to work in this type of lab.
Current Molecular Pathology Scope of Practice
- Genetics
- Infectious disease
- Oncology
- Carrier screening
- Human identity testing
- Animal science
- Agriculture
Current Molecular Pathology Fields of Practice
- Hospital molecular diagnostics laboratory
- Reference laboratory
- Biotechnology laboratory/sales/application
- Research and development
- Forensics
- Public health departments
- Crop science laboratory
Current Molecular Pathology Technology
- DNA and RNA isolation
- PCR
- Real Time PCR
- Sequencing
- RFLP
- Electrophoresis
- Next generation sequencing
- Pyrosequencing