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DNA Chip test available in Dubai

DUBAI - A new diagnostic tool for determining hereditary risk of developing a broad range of diseases, known as DNA Chip test, is now available in Dubai for the first time. The new diagnostic tool was introduced at a lecture held at the Emirates Towers Hotel last week.

With these new diagnostic tools, a person's risk of developing such life-threatening conditions such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis, breast cancer and prostate cancer can be predicted through analyses of mutations or polymorphism in DNA.

Professor Gerald Gitsch MD, Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Freiburg University Medical Centre, who delivered the lecture, explained to Khaleej Times the intricacies of this new and potentially life-saving diagnostic tool.

"Using this technique we can also determine if a woman has a susceptibility to develop a disease of pregnancy known as preeclampsia, as well as intrauterine foetal death and miscarriages. Through these single mutations in DNA, you can spot those people at risk of developing a disease and do something about it early, even before the disease manifests itself. These tests are only done in Europe, but taking a sample is very easy, you only need a mucosa sample from the mouth," Prof Gitsch said.

The entire human genome consists of some 30,000 to 40,000 genes. Slight variations in genetic make-up, called polymorphisms, are associated with almost all diseases. A polymorphic variation conveys greater or lesser susceptibility toward specific diseases by improving or impairing physiological function. These variations influence a person's susceptibility to specific environmental factors that increase the risk of disease.

Genosense Diagnostics, together with the Dubai Medical Lab and Dr Shihabi's Clinic in Dubai, is offering a unique line of predictive genomic diagnostic profiles. Each profile focuses on a carefully selected set of polymorphisms associated with a particular disease. The company's intention is to place current genetic research into a meaningful clinical context for practitioners and medical specialists.

"The interpretation of the results of these tests is done by scientists like myself in Vienna, Austria. The process takes four days. The DNA Chips detect mutations, the computer reads the information and I interpret the results and do risk estimation. The test is new and has been around for approximately two years now," Prof Gitsch said.

Dr Abdul Rahman Shihabi said that deaths from heart disease and cancer can now be prevented by detecting the diseases in their early stages. He said the patient's family history, the patient history and the DNA test together can accurately determine who is at risk of which disease and therefore get early preventive treatment.