Diagnostic molecular pathology: a guide to applied molecular testing

Diagnostic Molecular Pathology: A Guide to Applied Molecular Testing

is organized around disease types (genetic disease, infectious disease, neoplastic disease, among others). In each section, the authors provide background on disease mechanisms and describe how laboratory testing is built on knowledge of these mechanisms. Sections are dedicated to general methodologies employed in testing (to convey the concepts reflected in the methods), and specific description of how these methods can be applied and are applied to specific diseases are described.

The book does not present molecular methods in isolation, but considers how other evidence (symptoms, radiology or other imaging, or other clinical tests) is used to guide the selection of molecular tests or how these other data are used in conjunction with molecular tests to make diagnoses (or otherwise contribute to clinical workup). In addition, final chapters look to the future (new technologies, new approaches) of applied molecular pathology and how discovery-based research will yield new and useful biomarkers and tests.

Diagnostic Molecular Pathology contains exercises to test readers on their understanding of how molecular diagnostic tests are utilized and the value of the information that can be obtained in the context of the patient workup. Some of these exercises can be found at the end of each chapter in the form of questions and answers. Readers are also directed to an ancillary website that contains supplementary materials in the form of exercises where decision trees can be employed to simulate actual clinical decisions (with addition of time and cost of diagnosis).

• Focuses on the menu of molecular diagnostic tests available in modern molecular pathology or clinical laboratories that can be applied to disease detection, diagnosis, and classification in the clinical workup of a patient
• Explains how molecular tests are utilized to guide the treatment of patients in personalized medicine (guided therapies) and for prognostication of disease
• Features an ancillary website with videos of laboratory tests being performed as well as self-testing exercises where decision trees can be employed to simulate actual clinical decisions
• Highlights new technologies and approaches of applied molecular pathology and how discovery-based research will yield new and useful biomarkers and tests