Clinical gene analysis and manipulation: overview and applications in pathology.

Accepted for publication 23 September 1994 The science of molecular cell biology has advanced dramatically over the last century and in the last decade this has had important implications for medical research particularly for oncology, microbiology, immunology, and inherited genetic diseases. Globally, the oncological sciences have the most resources devoted to them including specialist scientific journals, research funding, national institutions, and number of scientists. The increasing use of molecular cell biological techniques has lead to considerable diversity in methodological practice and interpretation of genetic analysis. It is particularly important, therefore, that the calibre of clinical scientific endeavour keeps pace with the scope and potential of new developments in basic science. Furthermore, the rapid and exponential increase in knowledge and potential clinical applications of the new molecular techniques requires that clinical scientists are abreast of