Pathology and Clinical Practice

Molecular Pathology

Track 3: Molecular Pathology

Molecular pathology is the study of abnormalities of tissues and cells at the molecular level. It is a broad category that is used to refer to the study of disease of any organ or tissue in the body by examining what molecules are present in cells. This consists about both the aspects clinical and anatomical pathology. Some techniques that can be used in molecular pathology include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify DNA, fluorescence labelling, karyotype imaging of chromosomes, and DNA microarrays (small samples of DNA placed onto biochips).