DNA and RNA analyses in detection of genetic predisposition to cancer

• Published in: Hereditary cancer in clinical practice Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 17
• Main Authors: Kurzawski, Grzegorz, Dymerska, Dagmara, Serrano-Fernández, Pablo, Trubicka, Joanna, Masojć, Bartłomiej, Jakubowska, Anna, Scott, Rodney J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland BioMed Central Ltd 04.12.2012; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Cancer; Constitutional changes; Contamination; Diagnoses; DNA; Genetic aspects; Hereditary cancer; Physiological aspects; Polymerase chain reaction; Review; Risk factors; Risk reduction; RNA; Robotics; Single strand conformation polymorphism; Standardization; Techniques; Poland; Australia
• ISSN: 1897-4287; 1731-2302; 1897-4287
• DOI: 10.1186/1897-4287-10-17

During the past decade many new molecular methods for DNA and RNA analysis have emerged. The most popular thus far have been SSCP, HET, CMC, DGGE, RFLP or ASA, which have now been replaced by methods that are more cost effective and less time consuming. Real-time amplification techniques and particularly those with the capacity of multiplexing have become commonly used in laboratory practice. Novel screening methods enable the very rapid examination of large patients series. Use of liquid handling robotics applied to the isolation of DNA or RNA, the normalisation of sample concentration, and standardization of target amplification by PCR have also contributed to a reduced risk of sample contamination and have resulted in laboratory analysis being easier and faster.The aim of this study is the introduction of a few modern techniques, most commonly used in detection of genetic predisposition to cancer.