Novel methods of DNA analysis

The need for improved ways to analyze nucleic acids for the tools of molecular biology to become more prevalent in the routine clinical laboratory has led to the creation of unique methods for DNA analysis. Automation of sequencing techniques can provide a more rapid turnaround for results and can be more cost effective for the diagnosis of genetic disease and cancer than conventional techniques. Miniaturization of sequencing on DNA chips should be even more effective than our current means and make screening for these diseases easier. Improved amplification techniques will increase the sensitivity of infectious disease detection, and new methods to label and detect DNA probes will help alleviate the need to use radionuclides. This article centers on the nature of some recent advances in DNA analysis and on their future application in the clinical laboratory.