Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Rapid Genetic Testing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1965

A rapid plaque method using vertical tube cultures for titration of viruses and neutralizing antibodies.

Standard methods for titrating and typing enteroviruses and other viruses, or for assaying antibodies against them, are based on observation of metabolic inhibition of infected cells or on direct microscopic reading of cytopathogenic effects. Incubation of cell cultures for at least a week, with two or three readings during this period, is usually required before assessment is completed. This report describes a vertical-tube method in which cell monolayers are confined to the bottom end of a serological tube; an agar overlay is used after virus or virus-serum inoculation. The reduced monolayer area allows seeding with only about 30% of the cells required for standard tube cultures, and 5% of those required for plaque assay in bottle cultures. The new method requires only a single macroscopic reading one to three days after the test is set up. This method has proved economical, simple and rapid in epidemiological studies on rapidly growing viruses of the entero-, reo-, herpes-, myxo- and poxvirus groups, and for tests of the genetic markers of live poliovirus vaccine.

Culture Techniques↗
PubMed1996

The recognition and investigation of X-linked learning disability syndromes.

X-linked learning disability syndromes occur in approximately one per 600 live male births and account for 20-30% of all learning disability. Fragile-X syndrome comprises some 40% of all X-linked learning disability, and there are currently about 95 recognized syndromes comprising the rest. Clinicians should be alert to these other forms of X-linked learning disability: families should be offered genetic counselling, including dysmorphology opinion and cytogenetic testing. Gene mapping on the X chromosome is advancing very rapidly and some causative genes for X-linked learning disability are now known. Clinicians involved in the care of patients with X-linked learning disability are encouraged to investigate all families, report new syndromes and those with cytogenetic abnormalities, and collaborate with clinical geneticists and laboratory scientists working on X chromosome gene mapping.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed1981

Evolution of cytochrome C investigated by the maximum parsimony method.

Rates of evolution for cytochrome c over the past one billion years were calculated from a maximum parsimony dendrogram which approximates the phylogeny of 87 lineages. Two periods of evolutionary acceleration and deceleration apparently occurred for the cytochrome c molecule. The tempo of evolutionary change indicated by this analysis was compared to the patterns of acceleration and deceleration in the ancestry of several other proteins. The synchrony of these tempos of molecular change supports the notion that rapid genetic evolution accompanied periods of major adaptive radiations. Rates of change at different time in several structural-functional areas of cytochrome c were also investigated in order to test the Darwinian hypothesis that during periods of rapid evolution, functional sites accumulate proportionately more substitutions than areas with no known functions. Rates of change in four proposed functional groupings of sites were therefore compared to rates in areas of unknown function for several different time periods. This analysis revealed a significant increase in the rate of evolution for sites associated with the regions of cytochrome c oxidase and reductase interaction during the period between the emergence of the eutherian ancestor to the emergence of the anthropoid ancestor.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The current social, political, and medical role of genetic testing in familial breast and ovarian carcinomas.

Few advances in medical science have yielded as much publicity and controversy as discoveries in genetics. Moving quickly from the bench to the bedside, genetic testing for inherited susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer has had a significant impact on our paradigms for decisions about the treatment and prevention of disease. Assessment of cancer risk is developing into a distinct discipline, with rapidly evolving genetic technologies and models for estimating an individual's risk of cancer. Exciting developments in chemoprevention of breast cancer demonstrate the potential to offer a broader range of options for decreasing cancer risk. This article will consider recent advances in the understanding of cancer genetics, and describe the state-of-the-art in terms of management of individuals with inherited susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Bacterial complementation as a means to test enzyme-ligand interactions.

A bacterial complementation assay has been developed for the rapid screening of a large number of compounds to identify those that inhibit an enzyme target for structure-based inhibitor design. The target enzyme is the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). This enzyme has been proposed as a potential target for inhibitors that may be developed into drugs for the treatment of diseases caused by several parasites. The screening assay utilizes genetically deficient bacteria complemented by active, recombinant enzyme grown in selective medium in microtiter plates. By comparing absorbance measurements of bacteria grown in the presence and absence of test compounds, the effect of the compounds on bacterial growth can be rapidly assayed. IC50 values for inhibition of bacterial growth are a reflection of the ability of the compounds to bind and/or inhibit the recombinant enzyme. We have tested this bacterial complementation screening assay using recombinant HPRT from the parasites. Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi, as well as the human enzyme. The results of these studies demonstrate that a screening assay using bacterial complement selection can be used to identify compounds that target enzymes and can become an important part of structure-based drug design efforts.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Somatic mosaicism in plants with special reference to somatic crossing over.

Plant systems in use for the detection of environmental mutagens appear capable of detecting all types of genetic effects which can be studied in animals. The study of somatic mosaicism, however, is better developed in plants than in higher animals. A case is presented here which shows the ability of plant systems in analyzing a host of genetic end points, including chromosome aberrations like deletions, somatic crossing over, numerical inequality, gene conversion, paramutations and point mutations. The systems in general use utilize certain varieties of Tradescantia, Glycine max, Nicotiana tabacum, Antirrhinum majus, Petunia hybrida, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Heterozygous plants or their homozygous counterparts with gene markers affecting chlorophyll development or anthocyanin in floral parts are exploited in these studies. Mutagens produce different frequencies of different types of spots typical of the mode of action of the agent. Analysis of these parameters may be used to predict, at least qualitatively, the kind of genetic damage that might be produced in man. Besides, one can test the validity of interpretation by traditional progeny tests of plants raised from tissue culture from sectors as in Nicotiana and/or by precursor analysis as done in Antirrhinum. The study of mosaicism in plants offers quite inexpensive, rapid, and reliable tests of mutagenicity at least as a preliminary eukaryotic test system.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed2000

Hereditary breast cancer: high risk genes, genetic testing and clinical implications.

About one in eight to ten women living in Western countries will develop breast cancer during her lifetime and between 5-10% of these cases result from an inherited susceptibility to the disease. Within the past few years, a number of genes associated with a high risk of breast cancer have been identified, including BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, MLH1, MSH2, and STK11. The identification of these genes, together with the rapid advances in molecular genetic analyses, should improve the diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer. This article reviews the genetic basis of hereditary breast cancer, in particular the contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and discusses the clinical application of this new molecular knowledge with regard to molecular testing, surveillance and prevention in women with a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer.

BRCA2 Protein↗
PubMed1997

Molecular genetic testing for adult-onset disorders: the evolving laboratory, physician, patient interface.

Molecular genetics is providing the power to predict and diagnose a variety of diseases. This is an evolving field, with new information being gained at a very rapid rate. Ultimately the molecular tools should be available to prevent and/or cure a number of diseases with genetic etiology. The molecular genetics laboratory is playing a pivotal role in effecting the utilization of this technology. However, molecular genetic testing is in many ways unlike other clinical laboratory testing. The process of molecular genetic testing and counseling is complex. The laboratory offering molecular genetic testing must be able to assess pedigrees, decide the proper test to perform and provide interpretation of the tests results obtained. Although standards governing the use of high-complexity genetic tests are evolving it is clear that the laboratory offering these tests will have to have on staff personnel trained specifically in molecular genetics. The challenge will be to stay abreast of evolving technology as well as standards and recommendations governing the use of these tests. We will review the process of molecular genetic testing and the issues that must be considered by laboratories who offer these tests.

Accreditation↗
PubMed1979

Comparisons of virulence of influenza virus recombinants in ferrets in relation to their behaviour in man and their genetic constitution.

Two parent viruses, A/Finland/4/74(H3N2) and A/Okuda/57(H2N2), virulent and attenuated respectively for man, showed similar differences of virulence in ferrets as judged by estimations of 50% minimal infectious doses (MID50), the level and persistence of nasal infection, the height and duration of pyrexia and the level of lung infection. In ferrets, two recombinant clones, WRL 94(H3N2) and WRL 105(H3N2), were almost as virulent as A/Finland and indistinguishable from one another, a result which agreed well with genetic analysis (Hay et al. 1977); the RNA pieces of these recombinants appeared identical and largely derived from the virulent parent (A/Finland). The results in ferrets did not agree with tests on clone WRL 94 in small numbers of human volunteers but they were not inconsistent with those on clone WRL 105 in larger numbers. It is possible therefore that careful tests in ferrets may yield more accurate information on the virulence of strains than limited tests in human volunteers. A rapid test for virulence in ferrets is described. It could be used to screen many additional recombinants thereby yielding information on the genetical basis of virulence and indicating possible vaccine strains for more thorough testing in ferrets and in man.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A reverse-hybridization assay for the rapid and simultaneous detection of nine HFE gene mutations.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a very common autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism and frequently associated with mutations in the HFE gene. Molecular genetic testing for HFE mutations is considered valuable for carrier identification, as well as for early diagnosis of the disease, allowing simple treatment by phlebotomy and normal survival of patients. We have developed a reverse-hybridization assay for the routine diagnosis of eight previously described and one novel (E168Q) HFE point mutations. The test is based on multiplex DNA amplification and ready-to-use membrane teststrips, which contain oligonucleotide probes for each wild-type and mutated allele immobilized as an array of parallel lines. The procedure is rapid and accessible to automation on commercially available equipment, and by adding new probes the teststrip can easily be adapted to cover an increasing number of mutations.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Genetic counseling, testing, and screening for breast and ovarian cancer: practical and social considerations.

Breast and ovarian cancer are complex diseases that develop from multiple genetic alterations. In an era of genomics and advancing technologies, scientific knowledge regarding specific mechanisms of cancer development is evolving rapidly. In this context, identifying women with hereditary breast or ovarian cancer syndrome is becoming more complicated. Cancer genetic counselors must convey new scientific information, accurately assess cancer risk, and offer available options for genetic testing and medical interventions when there are still more questions than definitive answers.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Molecular testing for microsatellite instability and its value in tumor characterization.

Molecular analysis of tumor tissue has become a rapidly expanding field in medical research, exploiting the advantages of new technologies adapted to high-throughput examination of genetic alterations, gene and protein expression patterns. Only exceptionally, these approaches have found their way into routine clinical diagnosis and therapy. Microsatellite instability testing has been established as a very powerful tool to identify patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, one of the most common familial cancer syndromes. In addition, there is emerging evidence that microsatellite instability analysis may become increasingly important for the clinician, having considerable impact on patients' prognosis as well as therapeutic decisions, at least in colorectal cancer patients. A better understanding of the microsatellite instability phenotype, its pathogenesis and implications for the course of the disease will pave the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies specifically tailored to microsatellite-unstable tumors. This review summarizes the current significance of molecular testing for microsatellite instability in several tumor entities and provides prospects of future developments.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Natural selection drives extremely rapid evolution in antiviral RNAi genes.

RNA interference (RNAi) is perhaps best known as a laboratory tool. However, RNAi-related pathways represent an antiviral component of innate immunity in both plants and animals. Since viruses can protect themselves by suppressing RNAi, interaction between RNA viruses and host RNAi may represent an ancient coevolutionary "arms race." This could lead to strong directional selection on RNAi genes, but to date their evolution has not been studied. By comparing DNA sequences from different species of Drosophila, we show that the rate of amino acid evolution is substantially elevated in genes related to antiviral RNAi function (Dcr2, R2D2, and Ago2). They are among the fastest evolving 3% of all Drosophila genes; they evolve significantly faster than other components of innate immunity and faster than paralogous genes that mediate "housekeeping" functions. Based on DNA polymorphism data from three species of Drosophila, McDonald-Kreitman tests showed that this rapid evolution is due to strong positive selection. Furthermore, Dcr2 and Ago2 display reduced genetic diversity, indicative of a recent selective sweep in both genes. Together, these data show rapid adaptive evolution of the antiviral RNAi pathway in Drosophila. This is a signature of host-pathogen arms races and implies that the ancient battle between RNA viruses and host antiviral RNAi genes is active and significant in shaping RNAi function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Surface-attached molecular beacons light the way for DNA sequencing.

Rapid testing of DNA and RNA nucleotide sequences is required for various research protocols including wide-scale genetic testing, diagnostics, fast detection of biological warfare agents, environmental testing and forensic medicine. At present many laboratories are interested in research and development of an inexpensive, easy-to-use, fast-response device for this purpose. Various methods based on acoustic, electronic and optical detection of the DNA hybridization event have been reported.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1977

Is evolution gradual or rectangular? Evidence from living fishes.

The traditional view that most evolutionary change is gradual and cumulative within lineages (phyletic gradualism) has recently been challenged by the proposition that the majority of evolutionary change is concentrated within speciation events (rectangular evolution). The logical implications of these competing hypotheses for the means and variances of genetic distance among living members of rapidly and slowly speciating phylads are examined. An example of a critical test of gradual versus rectangular evolution is provided by electrophoretic analyses of genic composition in 69 species of North American Cyprinidae (minnows), and 19 species of Centrarchidae (sunfish). Rate of protein evolution appears somewhat decelerated, if anything, in the rapidly speciating minnows. Results are inconsistent with predictions of rectangular evolution, but are not demonstrably incongruent with predictions of phyletic gradualism.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Inherited risk factors for venous thrombosis.

Venous thrombosis occurs as a consequence of genetic and environmental risk factors. Since the discovery of factor V Leiden, the most common genetic risk factor, there has been intense interest in clarifying the roles of genes and the environment with thrombosis risk. The translation of this risk information to clinical practice is a challenging one in the setting of a rapidly expanding knowledge base that includes application of genetic medicine. There are benefits, but also potential harms, of testing for inherited disorders associated with thrombosis. This paper reviews inherited risk factors for thrombosis and discuss clinical applications of testing.

Environment↗
PubMed1993

Fetal cells in the maternal circulation. Technical considerations for practical application to prenatal diagnosis.

Recent advances in cell separation technology and DNA analytic techniques leave little doubt as to the presence of fetal cells in the maternal circulation. The potential of using these cells for genetic analysis is compelling. The practical aspects of establishing a universal method utilizing the new capabilities in clinical practice have not been addressed to date. The major hurdles that still need to be traversed before this technology is universally adopted include the identification of appropriate sampling and separation methods yielding fetal cells amenable to genetic analysis by rapid DNA technologies, clinical studies of appropriate statistical power to validate and compare this approach to current genetic testing, and comparison of this approach to other noninvasive paradigms such as triple screening. Despite the tremendous value of noninvasive genetic screening, the rigorous course required to progress from description of scientific capability to validation of a clinical test must not be ignored or rushed for financial considerations.

DNA↗