Organization of a Radioisotope Based Molecular Biology Laboratory

Molecular techniques applied to human health have been revolutionized by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during the past 15 years. The identification of prognostic markers of cancer, drug resistant profiles of microorganisms, the development of diagnostic tests and genotyping systems, and the follow-up after treatment of human diseases have been major tasks for biomedical laboratory workers. The use of radioisotopes in molecular techniques, as a step in the detection process or for increased sensitivity and specificity, is well established, making it ideally suitable for technology transfer. The technology has specific requirements in the way the laboratory is organized, in quality assurance and in radiation safety. This publication provides guidance for the establishment of radioisotope based molecular biology laboratories and thus aims to increase the dissemination of these molecular advances.