Molecular Diagnostics: Fundamentals, Methods, and Clinical Applications 3rd Edition

Book Preface

Molecular technology continues to grow in importance in the clinical laboratory. Training of health-care professionals routinely includes molecular biology, from laboratory techniques to therapeutic decisions. This textbook was written to provide fundamental knowledge of molecular biology, current methods, and their clinical applications.

The primary audience for this text is students enrolled in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science programs at all levels. It explains the principles of molecular technology that are used for diagnostic purposes. Examples of applications of molecular-based assays are included in the text, along with case studies that illustrate the use and interpretation of these assays in patient care.
This text is also appropriate for those in other health-related disciplines who need to understand the purpose, principles, and interpretation of the molecular diagnostic tests that they will be ordering and assessing for their patients.

Students who are fi rst learning about molecular-based assays will fi nd the text useful for explaining the fundamental principles. Practitioners who are performing and interpreting these assays can use this text as a resource for reference and troubleshooting and to drive the implementation of additional molecular-based assays in their laboratories.
An Instructor ’ s Resource package has been developed for educators who adopt this text for a course. These resources, including PowerPoint presentations, a test-item bank, and additional case studies, are available on DavisPlus at http://davisplus.fadavis.com .
Lela Buckingham

Thanks and gratitude are extended to all who helped in the completion of the third edition of this work. The useful input provided by reviewers who gave their valuable time to comment on and improve the writing is gratefully acknowledged. Molecular laboratory science is an example of innovative technology applied to the ultimate goal of improved patient care.
I owe thanks to my colleagues at Rush University
Medical Center, Dr. Wei-Tong Hsu, Dr. Nick Moore,
Dr. Mary Hayden, Dr. Sivadasan Kanangat, and Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, for help and support in their areas of
expertise. I would also like to acknowledge colleagues in the Rush University College of Health Sciences, residents, fellows, students, and laboratory professionals who provided suggestions for the third edition, particularly Alexandra Vardouniotis, Dr. Mezgebe Gebrekiristos, and Adrian Tira, with whom I work and from whom
I learn every day

This book was originally envisioned by my co-author for the fi rst edition, Dr. Maribeth Flaws. Thanks to her for initiating this project. Thanks to Dr. Herb Miller and the Medical Laboratory Science faculty in the Rush University College of Health Sciences for the opportunity to participate in medical laboratory science education. I greatly appreciate the guidance and support of the publication staff at F. A. Davis—Christa Fratantoro, Julie Chase, Roxanne Klaas, and Katharine Margeson—for the illustration and production of the text.
I would like to acknowledge and thank fellow members of the Association for Molecular Pathology, a vibrant and resourceful organization dedicated to education and policy in the practice of molecular diagnostics.
This organization has provided an outlet for contextual information, training, and sanction to further this ever-advancing fi eld of study