Lecture 17: Modern technologies in pathology: Tissues, Molecules, Genes and Informatics

Question 1

Whats histopathology useful for?

Answer 1

• Identifies numerous cells, tissues, that are informative about health and disease
• Tissue and cell morphology

Diagnosis, prognosis, direction of treatment

Question 2

What is immunohistochemistry useful for?

Answer 2

• AB flourescent/ staining tag to cell Surface antigen. Then fluorescent AB against the AB.
• Identifies specific proteins in/on cell.
• State of cells
• Cell types
• Identifies potential treatments

Question 3

What do genomics measure?

Answer 3

Genome (DNA) -> Coding mRNA (Transcriptome) -> Proteins (Proteome) -> Metabolites (Metabolome)

Question 4

What are non-coding RNAs?

Answer 4

Non-coding RNA (miRNAs) influence other RNA (Dont make protein)

Question 5

Whats the new technology after sanger sequencing?

Answer 5

Next Generation Sequencing

DNA is sequenced as it is replicated

Question 6

What are some examples of single gene sequencing?

Answer 6

• Sequencing BRCA2 (Tumour supressor gene) in epithelial ovarian cancer
  Germline (inherited) vs Somatic (Acquired)

Question 7

Whats an example of single gene sequencing in targeted therapy;

Answer 7

KRAS mutation (drives epithelial growth and proliferation as receptor is constituently active) testing for the use of cetuximab (inhibits EGFR and thus stops KRAS activation and over drive of epithelial growth) in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Question 8

What is fantastic about next gen sequencing?

Answer 8

Allows for a more targeted approach in treatment as it identifies factors that may be driving disease or identify potential targets to inhibit disease progression

Question 9

What is genomics failing on?

Answer 9

Diversity