Genelab

Genelab, located in Biocant Park, is a laboratory which provides molecular diagnostic services in the fields of Genetics, Oncology and Infectious Diseases.
Our laboratory is equipped to serve the needs of the medical hospital community, and offers molecular tests based on nucleic acid analysis (DNA and RNA) by state-of-the-art technologies. These include real-time nucleic acid amplification methodologies for quantitative analyses and microchips.


a) boyorgirl test

In partnership with the Clínica Universitária de Genética of the Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade de Coimbra, GeneLab developed an innovative test for determining the child’s gender right from the 8th week of pregnancy. The assay is conducted using a small sample of maternal blood. The underlying principle of this technology is that fetal cells and DNA circulate in mother’s blood, thereby allowing the determination of the child’s sex. After collecting blood in a clinical analysis laboratory (see associate laboratories), the sample is sent to GeneLab where it is processed and analysed – within 5 working days you will know whether it is a boyorgirl.


Clinical applications of fetal DNA analysis in maternal plasma

Several applications of clinical interest to fetal DNA testing in maternal plasma have been described. These would be an alternative to invasive antenatal diagnostic methods, which generally carry a risk of fetal loss. In the future, it will be possible to non-invasively diagnose a number of diseases, such as ß-thalassemia (an hereditary type of anaemia), achondroplasia (nanism), and even Down Syndrome. It is believed that, in the future, this type of tests will replace amniocentesis (collection of amniotic fluid) for evaluation of the fetal status.

GeneLab is now developing a test for determining Rh (D) genotype by molecular techniques, which will be available in 2007.