molecular

Molecular testing

Molecular testing is a type of laboratory testing that searches for specific changes in the genetic material (DNA or RNA) or proteins inside your cells. These changes can help doctors better understand the cause of a disease, how it might behave, and which treatments are most likely to be effective. Molecular testing is often performed …
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What is NTRK?

NTRK refers to a family of genes—NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3—that provide instructions for making proteins called Trk-A, Trk-B, and Trk-C. These proteins are located on the cell surface and play a crucial role in regulating essential processes, such as cell growth and survival. In early development, they help nerve cells grow and form connections. In …
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What is a rearrangement?

In a molecular pathology report, the word rearrangement refers to a change in the DNA structure within a cell. DNA is usually organized into long strands called chromosomes, each containing many genes. A rearrangement happens when a piece of a chromosome breaks off and attaches somewhere else, either on the same chromosome or another chromosome. …
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What is a mutation?

A mutation is a change in a gene, which is a piece of DNA that provides instructions for how a cell should function. In a molecular pathology report, the word “mutation” means that there has been a genetic change in the tumour’s DNA. Some mutations are harmless, while others can contribute to cancer development or …
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Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a laboratory test used in pathology to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. It works by using fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome that match or are complementary to the probe. It is commonly used in the …
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KRAS

KRAS is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein involved in cell signaling. This protein helps control how cells grow, divide, and survive. When KRAS works normally, it plays an important role in regulating the growth and development of cells in the body. However, when changes (mutations) occur in the KRAS gene, the …
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