Molecular Methods Used in Pathology Laboratories

Abstract

This review article is written to provide information about the molecular techniques frequently used in pathology laboratories. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining techniques are commonly used to detect specific proteins and molecules found in cells and tissues. IHC allows the visual detection of proteins in cells through the interaction of antigens with specific antibodies. Similarly, IF staining uses fluorescently labeled antibodies to determine the location of proteins. Both methods help in identifying protein expression through antigen-antibody interactions. The Western Blot (WB) technique enables the separation and identification of proteins from cell and tissue samples. This method relies on separating proteins according to their molecular weight, followed by labeling the target proteins with antibodies. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a fundamental technique used for DNA amplification. In Situ Hybridization (ISH) is a technique that enables the detection of nucleic acid sequences in cells. Each of these methods serves as an important tool for the detailed examination of biological samples and has a wide range of applications, from cellular analysis to genetic investigations.