Workshop On Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS: DOWN TO BASICS
March 2010

On 25th February 2010, Al-Quds University in cooperation with Medicare-Palestine held a scientific day at the Intercontinental Hotel-Jericho. The title of this scientific day was ‘Molecular diagnostics: down to basics’. This joint venture between the academia and the private sector was meant to boost the scientific cooperation between the two institutions. The activity was organized by Dr. Amer Al-Jawabreh, head of LRU-Jericho.  The five scientific lectures were delivered by Al-Quds University team and one from American University in Jenin. Invitation was sent to nine medical institutions and hospitals from mid and northern districts of Palestine. The lectures were designed to tackle basic concepts on molecular diagnostics in favor of simplifying methodologies and encouraging the adoption of these molecular techniques by the trainees.  The lecture included:

Dr. Amer Al-Jawabreh, LRU-Jericho
Topic: Basic Concepts on DNA and extraction of DNA

The oral presentation started with an introduction about the structure of DNA molecule. Then, described the types DNA extraction procedures, the solid-based and solution-based. Detailed explanation on the most commonly used method; the phenol-chloroform was presented.

Dr. Kamal Dumaidi, AUJ/Medicare
Topic: Molecular Application on Viral Diagnosis and Typing

During the presentation, a brief introduction on basic science of virology including viral structure, molecular virology and pathogenesis and immune response was presented. In addition, the lecture tackled all of the classical and conventional methods of viral diagnosis from clinical samples highlighting advantages and disadvantages in comparison to molecular method. Adding to this, the different PCR protocols’ including qualitative and quantitative one’s that had been optimized and the molecular typing methods were discussed. Results interpretations were also considered.

Abedelmajeed Nasereddin, AQU
Topic: Amplification of DNA and restriction Analysis

In his oral presentation Nasereddin talked about using DNA information into diagnostic approach using DNA amplification or what is known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The lecture content was of three parts: basically, describing the DNA (definition, component, and its potential for diagnosis), secondly, DNA Amplification, visualization, translating the results, post analysis process as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and the last section was included giving an example on DNA as tool for diagnosis.

Dr. Omar Hamarsheh, AQU
Topic: Molecualr typing and identification of Leishmaniasis in phlebotomine sandfly vector.

The presentation discussed the host preferences by leishmania vectors and vectorial capacity of sand flies. The latest could be determined and evaluated through detection the blood meal source ingested.  The blood meals is identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using certain primers. The vertebrate specific PCR is combined with reverse line blot analysis for identifying blood meals ingested by female phlebotomine sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis"

Suhair Aerekat, AQU
Topics: Molecular Diagnosis of TB in Palestine

Mrs Arekat talked about evaluating the use of PCR targeting the IS6110 gene for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and developed a rapid and sensitive method for identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex to the species level using high –resolution melting curve analysis (HRM). A prospective study with 70 archival Zheil-neelsen stained smear sputum samples showed that the sensitivity and specificity for PCR were 95% and 94%, respectively. Among the tested samples (n=43), we correctly identified one strain as M. bovis BCG the others were M. tuberculosis. We recommend the use of IS6110 PCR   for rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and HRM assay for routine identification of M. tuberculosis complex members in clinical laboratories.  

The training schedule at Intercontinental Hotel and LRU-Jericho-2010

 
Practical training - 7.3.2010

On Sunday March 7th, 2010, four laboratory technicians attended a whole-day training day at LRU-Jericho. One represented The Arab Specialized Hospital in Nablus, the next from The Nablus Specialized Hospital, while the other two were from Medicare-Nablus. Under close supervision of Dr. Al-Jawabreh, the four practiced phenol-chloroform DNA extraction method, using clinical samples from filter papers and the subsequent purification of DNA using solid-based kit that uses silica membrane column. Then DNA was amplified from the same extracted samples using ITS1 PCR. The trainees were trained on preparing master mix, diluting and preparing PCR reagents, setting controls and handling thermal cycler.

Practical training - 21.3.2010
The second cycle of practical training took place on 21st March 2010. It included the training of four techs. Three were from Medicare team and one from Al-Itihad Hospital.

Suhair Arekat from Al-Quds University lecturing on molecular diagnosis at Intercontinental Hotel in Jericho during the workshop held in March 2010 as a joint activity between Al-Quds University and Medicare.

Medical laboratory technicians from different medical institutions in Palestine in a training session on molecular diagnosis of leishmaniaisis held at LRU-Jericho in March 2010.