Branched DNA Technology in Molecular Diagnostics

Tsongalis, Gregory J. PhD

Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH

Address reprint requests to Dr Tsongalis: Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH 03756.

Financial support for preparation of this article was provided by Bayer Healthcare.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology 126(3):p 448-453, September 01, 2006. | DOI: 10.1309/90BU6KDXANFLN4RJ

Viral quantification or viral load testing has become part of the routine management of patients infected with HIV-1 or hepatitis C virus (HCV). There are currently several molecular technologies that are available for use in the clinical laboratory setting. Of these, only the branched DNA (bDNA) assays are FDA-approved for HIV-1 and HCV viral load testing. This signal amplification technology is built on a series of hybridization reactions that are highly amenable to full automation and thus lessen the amount of labor required to perform this type of analysis. This article provides a historical perspective of bDNA and its clinical applications.