Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary laboratory technique that enables the replication of a specific DNA sequence. Using PCR, millions of copies of a target DNA can be easily synthesized within a short period of time.

Human papillomavirus an etiologic factor in 6% of OCSCC cases

High-risk human papillomavirus is an etiologic factor in approximately 6% of cases of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, according to epidemiologic research.

14 Jan 2013

UMDNJ develops rapid detection test for Exserhilum rostratum

A rapid detection test for Exserhilum rostratum, the fungus primarily responsible for 39 deaths among patients injected last year with a contaminated steroid medication, has been developed by a research team led by David S. Perlin, PhD, Executive Director of the Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School.

10 Jan 2013

Simple and inexpensive method to cut DNA could transform genetic medicine

A simple, precise and inexpensive method for cutting DNA to insert genes into human cells could transform genetic medicine, making routine what now are expensive, complicated and rare procedures for replacing defective genes in order to fix genetic disease or even cure AIDS.

10 Jan 2013

ParoChip can allow dentists to quickly detect and analyze periodontitis pathogens

Bleeding gums during tooth brushing or when biting into an apple could be an indication of periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Bacterial plaque attacks the bone, meaning teeth can loosen over time and in the worst case even fall out, as they are left without a solid foundation to hold them in place.

4 Jan 2013

Genetic innovations for pneumonia diagnosis in children

Polymerase chain reaction could help diagnose Mycoplasmia pneumonia infection in children, researchers say.

24 Dec 2012

Researcher explores new PCR system to discover dangerous foodborne pathogens

Pina Fratamico is on the quest to find the easiest and fastest way to test for harmful Escherichia coli in ground beef. In an article published in Frontiers in Microbiology on the 20th of December, she explores using a next-generation real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system to discover specific gene targets that indicate the presence of dangerous foodborne pathogens. The results show that assays performed using this PCR system are rapid, sensitive, and reliable.

20 Dec 2012

New diagnostic assay for screening ALK fusions in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Approximately one in 20 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) has chromosomal aberrations targeting the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. This has considerable implications for treatment because these patients are highly responsive to ALK-specific kinase inhibitors such as crizotinib.

From NanoString Technologies 13 Dec 2012

Presence of neoehrlichiosis confirmed in Switzerland

Researchers have confirmed the presence of a novel tick-borne disease known as neoehrlichiosis in Switzerland.

8 Nov 2012

Bacterial pathogen ‘acutely’ involved in otitis media

Alloiococcus otitidis can be a dominant bacterial pathogen among indigenous Australian children with acute otitis media with perforation, although its main role appears to be that of a secondary pathogen, preliminary study findings suggest.

10 Oct 2012

Study demonstrates efficacy of genotyping technology in identifying source of clinic infection outbreak

Researchers from East Carolina University used a new technique of genotyping to identify the source of a hematology clinic outbreak of Mycobacterium mucogenicum, a gram-positive, acid-fast bacteria found in tap water. This is the first outbreak of M. mucogenicum in an ambulatory care setting; five other outbreaks have been reported in hospital settings since 1995.

6 Oct 2012

Human hepatitis threat present in domestic pigs

The prevalence of hepatitis E virus in domestic pigs is between 10% and 30%, with a likelihood that infected pigs enter the pork production chain thereby threatening public health, indicate Portuguese study results.

2 Oct 2012

Pervenio Lung RS from Life Technologies

Life Technologies Corporation today announced the launch of Pervenio Lung RS. First-of-its-kind, the molecular test has been documented to reliably identify early stage lung cancer patients who are at high risk for mortality following surgery. It also fulfills an unmet need for prognostic information to guide preventative treatment and improve disease management.

25 Sep 2012

Thermo Fisher Scientific announces opening of Molecular Biology Center of Excellence in Lithuania

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced the official opening of its Molecular Biology Center of Excellence in Vilnius, Lithuania.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 20 Sep 2012

MRD monitoring falls short in childhood AML assessment

Measuring treatment response by minimal residual disease monitoring offers no more prognostic value than morphologic analysis in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), show study findings.

19 Sep 2012

Pertussis immunity wanes in the 5 years after DTaP vaccination

The risk for pertussis infection in children who receive the combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine increases by an average of 42% per year after the last dose, a US study shows.

17 Sep 2012

New test to assess viral load of cytomegalovirus

Roche announced today the commercial availability of a new test to assess a patient's viral load of cytomegalovirus (CMV). Physicians use information from the test to help them manage patients who have been diagnosed with CMV disease, specifically patients with an immune system that has been suppressed for solid organ transplantation.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 17 Sep 2012

Flow cytometry renders PCR testing unnecessary for most AML patients

Early treatment response is a powerful predictor of long-term outcome for young patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The information can help physicians decide whether a more intensive approach is needed. Research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators has identified the best test for measuring that response and guiding therapy.

11 Sep 2012

Live bacteria in more than 90% of middle ear effusions

Live bacteria are present in more than 90% of middle ear effusions, research shows.

20 Aug 2012

Population Genetics validates GenomePooling™ for cancer

Population Genetics Technologies Ltd., creator of innovative methods for genetic analyses and biomarker discovery, has successfully completed a pilot study to prove that its GenomePooling™ method is sensitive and accurate enough to detect even small percentages of gene variants within cancer tissue. This validates the method’s suitability for use in IntReALL 2010, the world’s largest genetic analysis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) relapse cases. ALL is the most common childhood malignant disease.

31 Jul 2012