Competency information
Details
Perform and critically evaluate the results from a range of molecular assays used to detect and genotype micro-organisms, including:
- nucleic acid extraction
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR
- the range of quantitative assays used in your laboratory.
Considerations
- The principles of PCR.
- The significance of contamination and sensitivity of PCR.
- Hazards and risks associated with PCR.
- Relevant current quality control procedures.
- Characteristics of substandard reactions.
- Factors affecting the integrity of samples and reagents, including lability and contamination.
- Factors affecting integrity of reagents used in the tests conducted and relevant sensitivities to conditions of cold, heat and light.
- Principles of electrophoresis of nucleic acids.
- Principles of radioactive and fluorescent image detection.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 | Outcome Perform the range of basic laboratory techniques used in the workplace to investigate the molecular pathology of microbial infection. |
| # 3 | Outcome Apply the principles of internal quality control and external quality assessment and draw conclusions about assay performance. |