Molecular methods

Molecular methods play an important role in not only research and science production, but also in patient diagnosis and treatment. Molecular methods are required is some cases including hematological malignancies, soft tissue tumors, intestine, lung, thyroid cancers, breast cancer and brain tumors. The molecular pathology laboratory of our department is fully equipped with modern hardware and complete infrastructure and is actively used. The methods which exist and are used in our department are in-situ hybridization, DNA-RNA-protein extractions from tissues or fluids, PCS (polymerase chain reaction), real time PCR, southern/northern/western blot, gene chipping, pro-sequencing, laser microdissection and mutation analysis. Ploidy analysis and flaw cytometry are carried out in the Basic Oncology laboratory at the Oncology Institute. Advanced molecular investigations can also be applied to cytological materials in addition to tissues.

The original genetic changes detected via investigations (gene re-arrangements and mutations) direct the diagnosis, treatment and the prognosis. These methods are also used for infectious diseases in determination of the existence and type of tuberculosis and HPV in addition to malignancies. Molecular investigations are carried out not on a daily basis but upon request.