Molecular Techniques

Molecular techniques are laboratory methods used to study and manipulate nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and proteins. They are essential in molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics.

• Purpose: Amplifies specific DNA sequences.
• Variants: RT-PCR (for RNA), qPCR (quantitative), multiplex PCR.
• Applications: Pathogen detection, genotyping, cancer diagnostics.

• Purpose: Separates DNA, RNA, or proteins based on size.
• Types:
  • Agarose → for DNA/RNA.
  • SDS-PAGE → for proteins.
• Applications: DNA fingerprinting, PCR product verification.

• Purpose: Isolates pure DNA or RNA from biological samples.
• Applications: PCR, sequencing, transcriptomic studies.

• Southern blot: Detects specific DNA sequences.
• Northern blot: Detects specific RNA transcripts.
• Western blot: Detects specific proteins using antibodies.
• Applications: Mutation analysis, gene expression, protein profiling.

• Sanger sequencing: Accurate for short sequences.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): High-throughput genome/transcriptome analysis.
• Applications: Mutation discovery, personalized medicine, microbiome studies.

• Purpose: Analyze gene expression or detect genetic variations.
• Applications: Transcriptomics, biomarker discovery.

• Purpose: Precisely modify specific genes.
• Applications: Functional genomics, gene therapy, disease modeling.

• Purpose: Analyzes and sorts cells based on markers.
• Applications: Immunophenotyping, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis.

• Purpose: Quantifies proteins, antibodies, or hormones.
• Applications: Disease diagnosis, vaccine evaluation, immunology research.

• Purpose: Quantifies and sequences RNA to study gene expression.
• Applications: Transcriptome profiling, alternative splicing, non-coding RNA detection.