MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC LATEST EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PDF 2026
▶ What two types of mass spec are used for biochemical molecules like
proteins?? Answer:ESI and MALDI
▶ SSCP? Answer:Single-strand conformation polymorphism
-uses the nature of nucleic acid to prefer the double-stranded form
-denatures and dilutes target so that complementary strands cannot find
each other
-run on gel and observe differences due to structure of nucleic acid folding
-do not need to know gene sequence
▶ allele specific oligomer (ASO)? Answer:Short, single-stranded fragments
of DNA used as probes to identify alleles that differ by a single
oligonucleotide
-takes advantages of different melting temperatures of short sequences
-primer for mutant or normal is added and if the primer binds then there is a
match if the primer does not bind then there is a mismatch due to specific
melting temp. of primer/template hybe
-can be visualized through flouresence
-dot blot
-can be used to detect BRACA1/BRACA2, p16, melanoma
▶ Melt Curve Analysis? Answer:Used for SNPs; Melting temperature of
double stranded DNA depends on its base composition and length.
Specimens with identical sequences should yield the same peak at the
expected Tm and specimens containing different sequences will yield two
or more peaks. Target nucleic acid is tagged with flourescing dye which is
nonspecific and binds to all nucleic acid. As the two hybridized strands
separate they will fluoresce as the dye is for ds nucleic acid.
FRET Probes -used for high resolution analysis
-dissociation curves
▶ Will a mismatch in a MCA raise or lower the Tm?? Answer:lower
because the mismatch creates a weaker bond btwn the DNA strands
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PDF 2026
▶ What two types of mass spec are used for biochemical molecules like
proteins?? Answer:ESI and MALDI
▶ SSCP? Answer:Single-strand conformation polymorphism
-uses the nature of nucleic acid to prefer the double-stranded form
-denatures and dilutes target so that complementary strands cannot find
each other
-run on gel and observe differences due to structure of nucleic acid folding
-do not need to know gene sequence
▶ allele specific oligomer (ASO)? Answer:Short, single-stranded fragments
of DNA used as probes to identify alleles that differ by a single
oligonucleotide
-takes advantages of different melting temperatures of short sequences
-primer for mutant or normal is added and if the primer binds then there is a
match if the primer does not bind then there is a mismatch due to specific
melting temp. of primer/template hybe
-can be visualized through flouresence
-dot blot
-can be used to detect BRACA1/BRACA2, p16, melanoma
▶ Melt Curve Analysis? Answer:Used for SNPs; Melting temperature of
double stranded DNA depends on its base composition and length.
Specimens with identical sequences should yield the same peak at the
expected Tm and specimens containing different sequences will yield two
or more peaks. Target nucleic acid is tagged with flourescing dye which is
nonspecific and binds to all nucleic acid. As the two hybridized strands
separate they will fluoresce as the dye is for ds nucleic acid.
FRET Probes -used for high resolution analysis
-dissociation curves
▶ Will a mismatch in a MCA raise or lower the Tm?? Answer:lower
because the mismatch creates a weaker bond btwn the DNA strands
