New developments in clinical laboratory molecular assays

The new technological advances influencing the clinical laboratory are discussed with immediate and future areas of new clinical laboratory tests. The new technological advances include 1) monoclonal and designer antibodies, 2) solid phase and homogeneous automated immunochemical assays, 3) DNA/RNA nucleotide tests, 4) synthetic peptides, and 5) biosensors. The major factors which influence the need for future laboratory tests are 1) technology, 2) advances in therapeutic agents, 3) governmental regulations, and 4) health care economics.