Diagnostic Genetic Testing: Core Concepts and the Wider Context for Human DNA Analysis - Paperback

by David Bourn (Author)

Chapter 1: Genetic testing, some themes and some basics

- Brief introduction to genetic testing.

- Themes

o Complexity

o Risk and uncertainty

o DNA and identities

o Future promises and limitations

- Genetic basics

o Information storage and copying

o Chromosomes and inheritance patterns

o Genes in genomes (nuclear and mitochondrial)

o Transcription, translation and the genetic code

o Mutation

- Basic techniques of genetic testing

o DNA extraction

o Hybridisation

o PCR and DNA amplification

o Electrophoresis

o DNA sequencing

Chapter 2: Huntington disease, a severe autosomal recessive disorder

- Huntington disease (HD)

- Mutation mechanism and gain of function

- Trinucleotide repeat expansions

- Penetrance and genotype/phenotype correlation

- Anticipation

- Testing for HD and test metrics

- Rationales for testing

- Laboratory error

- Ethical problems (sharing information)

Chapter 3: Autosomal recessive inheritance and cystic fibrosis

- Cystic fibrosis (CF)

- Spectrum of mutations

- Recessive disorders in populations (founder effect)

- Testing for CF

- Rationales for testing including neonatal screening

- Prenatal diagnosis and ethical issues

- Genetics and therapy for CF

- Risk and uncertainty

Chapter 4: X-linked inheritance: a question of gender

- Chromosome number / balance (XX vs. XY) and X-inactivation

- DNA methylation and epigenetics

- DMD/BMD (genotype/phenotype correlation)

- Mosaicism

- Sharing genetic information

- Androgen receptor gene and different phenotypes

- Genetics and gender

Chapter 5: Cancer genetics: acquired and inherited mutations

- Cancer as a genetic disease

- Tumour suppressors and oncogenes in the control of growth

- Somatic/germline distinction

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Back Jacket

Over the last decade, technical advances have allowed genomic testing which provides a great opportunity for diagnosis but also an increased chance of uncertain or unexpected findings. This book addresses many of the questions that arise in this context and summarizes the essential concepts in diagnostic genetic testing in an easy-to-read manner. It also covers some broad context for the practical and ethical implications of examining human DNA sequences.

The book starts with a general introduction to the field, providing enough background to allow readers without any previous education in genetics to comprehend the material in the subsequent chapters. The main part explores differing aspects of human genetics and the wider implications of testing in these areas. The author covers not only single gene inheritance, but also genetic testing of cancers and how testing benefits the patients. Special emphasis is also given to the questions of genetics and identity. The concluding part then draws the main themes together and summarises the wider significance of genetics. It also explores the gap between promises made for the impact of advances in genetics, and the actual benefits to patients.

The book is written for everyone interested to learn about the process of genetic testing and the broader implications. Moreover, it is aimed at health professionals with an interest in genetics, at students or scientific trainees looking for an introduction to diagnostic genetics, and at professionals in health policy or health journalism.

Author Biography

David Bourn, Ph.D., FRCPath, is a UK-based state registered clinical scientist and the head of an NHS Regional Genetics laboratory, who has worked in the NHS for more than 25 years. Prior to his involvement in diagnostic genetics, he spent some years in research, with his Ph.D. and the bulk of his postdoctoral work in the field of human molecular genetics. His links with Human Genetics Departments go back to the 1980s and in addition to his familiarity with the evolution of genetic testing over the past three decades, he has an enduring interest in the wider implications of this testing.