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Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program
The Diagnostic Genetic Sciences (DGS) are exciting careers on the frontier of medical science! They are careers that offer personal and professional satisfaction and rewards in the rapidly growing and expanding field of human genetics.
Medical Cytogenetics deals with the detection of microscopic alterations in human chromosomes and their relationship to human diseases and physical and mental abnormalities. Cytogenetics studies are used to diagnose congenital chromosomal abnormalities prenatally, in newborns with physical abnormalities, in older children with developmental problems, and in adults experiencing infertility or repeated unexplained pregnancy loss. Studies of cells from leukemias and solid tumors are used to detect chromosomal changes associated with the malignant process.
The cytogenetic technologist grows cells from specimens such as amniotic fluid, blood, bone marrow, solid tissues and tumors to accumulate dividing cells. The cells are stained with techniques that differentiate the individual chromosome pairs. The cytogenetic technologist examines the cells under the microscope looking for alterations in the number of chromosomes present (e.g., in Down syndrome there is an extra chromosome 21), or for abnormalities in the structure of individual chromosomes.
Molecular Genetics is emerging as an important component of laboratory medicine and has application in a variety of other settings as well. Molecular genetic technologists match donors and recipients for tissue and organ transplantation, diagnose human diseases and inherited disorders, identify missing or displaced persons, identify war and disaster victims, determine parentage, and assist in identification of crime suspects.
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