Molecular diagnostics provide rapid results with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. bioMérieux is the pioneer in the syndromic molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases.
Molecular biology is based on the detection of DNA or RNA gene sequences that are specific to a bacterium, virus, protein or cell. There are three main steps in molecular diagnostics:
- extraction of nucleic acids (genetic material) from the sample,
- amplification (or multiplication) of the number of genetic sequences,
- detection of the copies of genetic sequences following amplification.
Molecular biology tests are carried out directly on the clinical sample and results can be obtained within a few hours. They are used to:
- detect pathogens (bacteria, viruses and yeast),
- identify antibiotic resistance mechanisms,
- measure the quantity of a virus, such as HIV, present in blood,
- guide and personalize treatment decisions, such as for cancer patients,
- monitor the effectiveness of treatment,
- determine the reaction of human cells to a disease or infection.
bioMérieux's molecular biology offering covers different hospital laboratories needs with:
- the syndromic approach in emergency situations with BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY®,
- the flexibility and high throughput of routine tests for the monitoring of transplant patients with ARGENE® SOLUTION,
- genome sequencing for the epidemiological monitoring with BIOMÉRIEUX EPISEQ®.