Molecular diagnostics
Molecular diagnostics identifies DNA, RNA or other molecular signatures in clinical specimens. Appropriate pre-analytic handling, assay validation and interpretation are as important as detection.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Molecular diagnostics — specialty learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal overview diagram showing four related domains. This is not a literal anatomy drawing, histologic image or clinical decision rule.
Specimen and extraction
Specimen type, transport, storage, contamination control and nucleic-acid integrity influence assay reliability.
Amplification and detection
PCR-based assays amplify specified sequences; sequencing methods can characterize more extensive variation depending on design and coverage.
Analytical performance
Sensitivity, specificity, limits of detection, positive and negative controls and bioinformatic pipelines require validation.
Clinical interpretation
A detected sequence may represent infection, contamination, benign variation or clinically significant disease depending on the assay and patient setting.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.