Hematology and Cell Therapy

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in Hamatological malignancies

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used in molecular biology to amplify a single or a few copies of a segment of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating many copies of a particular DNA sequence. PCR has rapidly become an invaluable technique for the detection and clinical management of a wide variety of haematological disorders. It provides a rapid method for the generation of large quantities of relatively pure DNA sequences of interest. This facilitates nucleotide sequence analysis in both normal and pathological haemopoietic populations. It also aids in the characterisation of normal molecular organisation and of inherited and acquired genetic defects. The extreme sensitivity of detection of rare genetic events has greatly improved the ability to detect minimal residual malignancy and low levels of viral infection.  PCR is more advanced in that genetically modifies abnormal cells can be detected within a normal cell population at far low incidence level than any other existing technology. Advancements in PCR help in Detection of Mutated Genes, Detection of Chromosomal Translocations, Detection of Gene Expression, Detection of Clonality and sequencing.