Jaundice Gene Chip Now Directly Available to Physicians
Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have made their jaundice-screening gene chip directly available to physicians around the world.
Developed by Cincinnati Children’s gastroenterologist Jorge Bezerra, MD, the so-called jaundice chip is the first chip that enables physicians to diagnose the five most common genetic defects in children with inherited cases of jaundice.
Now, physicians can send their patients’ blood samples to the Cincinnati Children’s Molecular Genetics Laboratory in the division of Human Genetics for analysis with the gene chip. The lab is a CLIA and CAP-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory.
Blood samples can be sent via overnight shipping to the lab without compromising the genetic structure of the sample.
Gene chips - also known as DNA chips or bio chips - are used for the rapid analysis of genetic material. The jaundice chip is the first of its kind anywhere that enables physicians to diagnose genetic mutations in patients with inherited liver diseases.
The chip gives a precise diagnosis with just a blood sample. When added to common laboratory tests, the chip greatly facilitates the precise diagnosis, making it possible for doctors to better tailor medical care based on findings.
Currently patients often must endure a battery of blood, urine and other tests to identify the cause of their jaundice, and it's a process that is time consuming, expensive, stressful and sometimes invasive.
By enabling physicians to identify genetic mutations, says Dr. Bezerra, "This tool has the potential to simplify that approach and to decrease costs, decrease morbidity and speed treatment through earlier identification of diseases."
