Innovative diagnostic technologies and their significance for personalized medicine

Abstract

Molecular diagnostics plays an important role in the development of personalized medicine. Innovative diagnostic technologies that are increasingly utilized in personalizing treatment include novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR), direct molecular analysis without amplification, DNA sequencing, biochips/microarrays, and nanobiotechnologies. Technologies for detection of copy number variations, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and cytogenetic alterations provide basic information for personalized medicine. Molecular diagnostic technologies are used for the detection of biomarkers, which may form the common basis of diagnostics and therapeutics. Finally, integration of diagnostics with therapeutics is an important component of personalized medicine.