“Increasing Use of Molecular Diagnostics”
- The increasing use of molecular diagnostics is transforming the healthcare landscape, as it enables accurate and early detection of diseases at the genetic level. PCR-based tests became vital for detecting COVID-19 infections globally
- Technologies such as polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing are being adopted more widely for disease diagnosis. In cancer, molecular diagnostics are used to identify specific mutations, guiding treatment decisions, as seen with tests such as FoundationOne for identifying genetic mutations in tumors
- Molecular diagnostics are crucial in personalized medicine, allowing treatments to be tailored to the individual's genetic makeup
- For instance, Genetic tests such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are used to assess breast cancer risk, which can influence decisions on preventive care and treatment plans
- The demand for molecular diagnostics is expanding in infectious disease detection. Real-time PCR tests have become a standard for diagnosing diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV, allowing for rapid and accurate results that improve patient outcomes
- Advances in molecular diagnostics are also accelerating the development of multiplex testing, enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens.
- For instance, The BioFire FilmArray system can identify a wide range of pathogens in a single test, streamlining diagnostic processes
