Question

List any two molecular diagnostic techniques and write one application of each of them.

Answer 1

Two molecular diagnostic techniques are Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA).

1. PCR is a technique used to amplify specific DNA segments. It is widely applied in the detection of genetic disorders, identification of pathogens, and mutation analysis. For example, PCR is used to detect the presence of HIV in suspected AIDS patients, and it helps in identifying gene mutations in cancer diagnostics.
2. ELISA is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction. It is used to detect infections by identifying either pathogen antigens or antibodies produced against the pathogen. This method is commonly employed to diagnose various infectious diseases.