Competency: 7

Details

Observe and assist with the range of laboratory methods and their application to generate genetic test results for patients.

Considerations

• Principles and applications of relevant methods and techniques.
• The principles of PCR and sequence methods, including the significance of contamination, sensitivity and associated hazards and risks.
• The principles of chromosomal microarray and other dosage techniques, including the significance of contamination, sensitivity and associated hazards and risks.
• Relevant internal quality control procedures and characteristics of substandard reactions.
• Factors affecting the integrity of samples and reagents and relevant sensitivities to conditions of cold, heat and light.
• Principles of electrophoresis of nucleic acids.
• Principles of radioactive and fluorescent image detection.
• Principles of mutation detection and DNA sequencing.
• Limitations and sensitivity of each test method.
• The nature and effect of possible artefacts.

Relevant learning outcomes