분자진단(molecular diagnostics)이란?

분자진단(molecular diagnostics)은 DNA, RNA, 단백질 등의 분자를 대상으로 하는 진단 방법입니다. 이 방법은 유전자 변이, 유전자 발현의 차이, 감염성 요인 등을 측정하여 질병의 원인, 발병 리스크, 감염 여부, 치료 반응 등을 평가하는데 사용됩니다.

분자진단은 전통적인 현미경 기반의 병리학적 진단과는 달리, 더 빠르고 정확하며 민감한 결과를 제공할 수 있습니다. 이러한 기술은 질병의 조기 발견 및 적절한 치료 방안 결정에 큰 도움을 줍니다.

분자진단은 여러 가지 기술을 포함하며, 대표적인 예로는 다음과 같은 것들이 있습니다.
1. PCR(polymerase chain reaction) : 특정 DNA 서열을 증폭시키는 기술로, 감염 질병의 원인균을 찾거나 유전자 변이를 확인하는 데 사용됩니다.
2. DNA 시퀀싱: DNA 서열을 확인하여 유전자 변이, 유전자 발현 등을 평가하는 기술입니다.
3. 유전자 칩: DNA나 RNA를 도트 형태로 배열한 칩을 사용하여, 유전자 발현이나 서열 변이를 한 번에 대량으로 검사하는 기술입니다.

분자진단은 종양학, 감염병, 유전병, 알레르기 등 다양한 분야에서 응용되며, 미래의 개인 맞춤형 의료에 중요한 기술로 간주되고 있습니다.
 
Molecular diagnostics are diagnostic methods that target molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. These methods are used to measure genetic variants, differences in gene expression, and infectious factors to assess the cause of a disease, risk of developing it, susceptibility, and response to treatment.

Unlike traditional microscope-based pathological diagnostics, molecular diagnostics can provide faster, more accurate, and more sensitive results. These techniques can help with early detection of disease and determining appropriate treatment options.

Molecular diagnostics encompasses a number of different technologies, some of which include
1. polymerase chain reaction (PCR): A technique for amplifying specific DNA sequences, used to find the causative agent of an infectious disease or to identify genetic variations.
2. DNA sequencing: A technique for determining the sequence of DNA to assess gene variants, gene expression, and more.
3. Gene chip: A technology that uses a chip with dot-like arrays of DNA or RNA to test for gene expression or sequence variants in large numbers at once.

Molecular diagnostics is applied in various fields such as oncology, infectious diseases, genetic diseases, and allergies, and is considered an important technology for future personalized medicine.