Specialty testing for Molecular Microbiology

The molecular microbiology division offers a wide range of testing for identification of specific microorganisms and gene products, as well as detection of microbial DNA directly from clinical samples.

More information regarding submission of samples to our lab for testing can be obtained viewing individual test pages below.

Identification of cultured organisms by DNA sequence based methods

DNA of the cultured organism is isolated and amplified using broad-range primers and conventional PCR conditions. Amplified products are then sequenced and the organism is identified on the basis of the sequence data. Select a test type below to learn more.

• Bacteria ID by Sequence Analysis [BSEQID]
• AFB ID by Sequence Analysis [ASEQID]
• Yeast ID by Sequence Analysis [YSEQID]
• Mold ID by Sequence Analysis [MSEQID]

Direct detection of microbial DNA from tissues

DNA is isolated from specimen and amplified by conventional PCR using a battery of broad-range primers dependent on the test type requested. Amplified products are sequenced and the organism(s) identified on the basis of sequence data. Select a test type below to learn more.

• Bacterial DNA Detection by PCR [BCTDNA]
• 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing [NGS16S]
• Nontuberculous Mycobacteria DNA Detection [NTMDNA]
• M. tuberculosis complex DNA Detection [TBCDNA]
• Fungal DNA Detection by PCR [FUNDNA]

Detection and identification of specific pathogens

DNA is isolated from a cultured organism or direct patient specimen and amplified using primers developed specifically to detect a particular organism. Amplifications are performed either as conventional or real-time PCR. Select a test type below to learn more.

• Aspergillus fumigatus DNA detection by PCR [ASPDNA]
• Cryptococcus DNA detection by PCR [CRYDNA]
• Coccidioides DNA detection by PCR [COCDNA]
• Histoplasma DNA detection by PCR [HISDNA]
• Pneumocystis DNA detection by PCR [PNEDNA]
• Mucorales DNA detection by PCR [MUCDNA]
• Toxoplasma DNA detection by PCR [TOXDNA]
• Bartonella DNA detection by PCR [BRTDNA]
• Enterobacterales DNA Detection [ENBDNA]
• M. tuberculosis complex DNA Detection [TBCDNA]
• Nontuberculous Mycobacteria DNA Detection [NTMDNA]
• Tropheryma whipplei DNA detection by PCR [TWHDNA]
• Mycoplasma DNA detection by PCR [MPLDNA]
• Legionella DNA detection by PCR [LEGDNA]
• Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia species PCR [AMBPCR]
• Leishmania species DNA detection by PCR [LSHDNA]

Specific gene detection in cultured organisms

DNA of a cultured organism is isolated and amplified using primers developed specifically to detect a particular gene. Amplifications are performed under real-time PCR conditions and results are based on the presence or absence of amplification. Select a test type below to learn more.

• mecA by PCR [MECPCR]

Organism typing

• Bacterial Strain Typing by Whole Genome Sequencing [NGSTYP]