Molecular diagnostics · USMLE Step 1

Which molecular diagnostic method would be optimal for assessing global gene expression patterns in a tumor sample?

  1. Western blot of tumor proteins
  2. Targeted single-gene DNA sequencing
  3. Gene-expression (DNA) microarray
  4. Multiplex PCR of a single tumor gene
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Correct answer: Gene-expression (DNA) microarray

Gene expression microarrays measure the relative expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously, allowing for profiling of global transcriptional changes in tumor samples.

Difficulty: Medium Question 9 of 21

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