The Potential of Cell-Free DNA in Medical Science
Description
1. The Potential of Cell-Free DNA in Medical Science: Disease Detection, Diagnosis, and Beyond
Description: Explore the applications of Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA) in non-invasive prenatal testing, early cancer detection, and its role as a biomarker for neurological disorders, revolutionizing medical diagnostics and treatments.
Introduction
Through the discovery of cell-free Deoxyribonucleic Acid
(cfDNA), carrying significant implications for disease detection, diagnosis,
and treatment, there will be an advancement in medical science.
cfDNA stands poised to reshape the entire landscape of medical science.
What is Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA)?
- cfDNA refers to fragments
of DNA that exist outside of cells, specifically in various body
fluids. Unlike the majority of DNA which is enclosed within cells.
- These cfDNA fragments contain genetic information and can offer insights into a person's health status, potential diseases, and genetic variations.
Applications of cfDNA
- Non-Invasive Prenatal
Testing (NIPT): One of the most
widely used applications of cfDNA has been in screening foetuses
for specific chromosomal abnormalities, an application known as
non-invasive prenatal testing.
- Early Cancer Detection: Identifying cancers at their initial stages for prompt treatment. The 'GEMINI' test utilizes cfDNA sequencing to detect lung cancer with high accuracy. It is useful tool to understand human diseases and to use the knowledge to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis.
- It is useful in
understanding why a body is rejecting a transplanted organ.
- Neurological Disorder Biomarkers: Investigating cfDNA's potential as a biomarker for neurological disorders
Aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions like Alzheimer's disease, neuronal tumours, and stroke. This could be used as a biomarker for neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal tumours, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.
Here is a link to an article on Chemical Weapons
