Overview
The field of molecular diagnostics has grown rapidly over the last twenty years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The basic techniques used in molecular diagnostics are now being introduced into most of the other medical laboratory science disciplines; hence most of the methods learnt in this course will also be invaluable in other laboratory settings.
What you will learn
As this is still a young discipline it remains relatively 'hands-on'. You will learn the theory behind the methodologies used in diagnostic molecular pathology and whilst also being provided with in-depth practical experience in these techniques.
The course will enhance and expand on the practical experience already gained in polymerase chain reaction and DNA extraction to include restriction enzyme digestion, sequencing, cell culture, real-time PCR, FISH and karyotyping.
Patience, the ability to listen and also question are very useful skills for this course, along with a steady hand!
Applications of diagnostic molecular pathology
These techniques and the theoretical knowledge are also extremely portable and have much wider application than just a medical laboratory.
Your practical know-how could also see you working in a university or industrial research laboratory, for a government agency, or in the private sector.
Most of the methods learnt in this course will also be invaluable in other laboratory settings.
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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