Glosario de IVD y diagnóstico molecular

A volatile liquid prepared by fermentation of certain carbohydrates. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, a diuretic, and a disinfectant. Although the exact mechanism of CNS depression is unknown, alcohol may act by inhibiting the opening of calcium channels, mediated by the binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) to GABA-A receptors, or through inhibitory actions at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors. Alcohol inhibits the production of antidiuretic hormone, thereby producing diuresis that may lead to dehydration. This agent kills organisms by denaturing their proteins.

Pertaining to a portion of the whole; any one of two or more samples of something, of the same volume or weight.

A process where a rotating machine exposes a specimen to centrifugal force. This process can be used to remove moisture from a specimen, to subject an organism to increased gravitational forces, or to separate the components of heterogeneous mixtures based on density differences.

Enzymes that catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bond linkages in the DNA backbone. Deoxyribonucleases belong to a larger family of nucleases, which cleave DNA bases at various positions in the DNA backbone.

Any method that extracts and purifies DNA from biological samples, which can include the proper handling of biological samples prior to nucleic acid isolation, the separation of DNA from the rest of the components in the samples, and the storage of the DNA isolates.

An isomer of propyl alcohol with antibacterial properties. Although the exact mechanism of isopropanol's disinfecting action is not known, it might kill cells by denaturing cell proteins and DNA, interfering with cellular metabolism, and dissolving cell lipo-protein membranes. Isopropanol is used in soaps and lotions as an antiseptic.

A purification method in which nucleic acids bind to paramagnetic beads and are collected with a magnet through wash steps. It automates well, which is why most high-throughput extraction platforms are bead-based; compare deck footprint and sample capacity when shortlisting systems.

The sample-preparation stage that lyses cells or virions and purifies DNA/RNA before amplification. Extraction quality (yield, purity, inhibitors removed) often limits assay performance more than the PCR itself, and it defines required instruments and hands-on time in a workflow.

An enzymatic pre-treatment in nucleic-acid extraction that degrades proteins and nucleases, releasing nucleic acids from clinical material before binding, wash, and elution steps.

A purification method that binds nucleic acids to a silica membrane in a spin column through centrifugation or vacuum. It is a common manual and mid-throughput format with well-understood consumable logistics, but is less automation-friendly than magnetic bead approaches.

A natural compound of silicon and oxygen found mostly in sand, Silica has three main crystalline varieties: quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite. Fine particulate silica dust from quartz rock causes over a long-term progressive lung injury, silicosis. (NCI04)

A part of a thing, or of several things, taken to demonstrate or to determine the character of the whole, e.g. a substance, or portion of material obtained for use in testing, examination, or study; particularly, a preparation of tissue or bodily fluid taken for examination or diagnosis.

The liquid lying above a liquid, solid or semi-solid residue, which is separated by crystallization, precipitation or centrifugation of a biological sample.