Molecular Diagnostics, 1st ed. 2019 Part 1: Technical Backgrounds and Quality Aspects

The books Molecular Diagnostics Part 1 and 2 provide a comprehensive and practical overview of the state-of-the-art molecular biological diagnostic strategies that are being used in a wide variety of disciplines.

The editors and experts in their respective fields have combined their knowledge to write these two books. Many years of experience in the development, application and quality control of molecular diagnostic methods is reflected herewith.

Molecular Diagnostics Part 1 is dedicated to the theoretical backgrounds of the technologies often applied in molecular diagnostics, in which nucleic acid amplification methods (such as real-time PCR), sequencing and bioinformatics are the basic tools. The assay design and -development, combined with items of trouble-shooting are described in detail. As a foundation of reliable molecular diagnostic assays, the quality control required for validation, implementation and performance of molecular diagnostic assays is thoroughly discussed. This book also provides extensive information for those working with molecular techniques in a wide variety of research applications using conventional and real-time PCR technology, Sanger and high throughput sequencing techniques, and bioinformatics.

Molecular Diagnostics Part 2 highlights the applications of the molecular diagnostic methods in the various diagnostic laboratories, comprising:

Both full-colour and well-illustrated books are particularly valuable for students, clinicians, scientists and other professionals who are interested in (designing) molecular diagnostic methods and for those who wish to broaden their knowledge on the current molecular biological revolution. The information in the books highlights the trend of the integration of multiple (clinical) disciplines into one universal molecular laboratory. 

The importance of nucleic acids in diagnostics.- Background and analysis of nucleic acids.- Primers and probes.- Basic principles of nucleic acid hybridisation.- Principles of PCR.- Quality assurance, management and control in molecular diagnostics.- Quantitative isothermal molecular amplification techniques.- DNA sequencing.- Bioinformatics.- The ongoing revolution of MALDI TOF Mass Spectrometry for Molecular Diagnostics.- Information in the amplification curve.

E. van Pelt-Verkuil
Elizabeth van Pelt-Verkuil, born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands has been involved in the development of new techniques in both molecular - and cell biology for more than 40 years. From the first PCRs in 1985 up to now, Elizabeth participated in its development and the applicability in molecular diagnostics. First in pathology, later combined with microbiology. In the meantime her focus changed from research to diagnostics. After graduation in cell biology and biochemistry at University Leiden in 1975, Elizabeth got her PhD on (experimental) developmental biology in 1979, followed by a post-doc position on experimental arteriosclerosis. From 1982 onward, she was a lecturer and applied scientist at the University of Applied Science Leiden for both graduate and post-graduate education in i.e. molecular diagnostics. Elizabeth organised her first theoretical and practical course on PCR and in situ hybridisation for post-graduates in 1987.
Elizabeth was founder of the Centre of Bioscience and Diagnostics in 2001; a department of the before mentioned institute, specialised in post-graduate education. Elizabeth organised and participated in many courses and in-company-trainings on PCR and molecular diagnostics.
During a 5 -year period from 2011 onwards at the Professorship Innovative Molecular Diagnostics at the University of Applied Science Leiden, Elizabeth focused on the implementation and embedding of new laboratory developed qPCR tests for the detection and identification of viral pathogens, including all aspects of quality control. Since 2016 Elizabeth is owner of and consultant at “Quality and Innovations in Molecular Diagnostics”, a company which is specialised in implementation, quality control and education in the field of molecular diagnostics.
Elizabeth van Pelt-Verkuil is a member of the Dutch Society of Medical Microbiology (NVMM) and participates in the Study group of Molecular Diagnostics of

Takes the reader from fundamentals into the backgrounds and the explanation of many techniques (from hybridisation and qPCR to next gen sequencing and bioinformatics)

Unifies techniques that can be used not only in all fields of molecular diagnostics but that are also useful for many other types of laboratories; e.g. preclinical research, agrobotany, biology, ecology etcetera

Is rich illustrated

Describes validation and quality control; MIQE criteria and prophiency studies are integrated