Q: The DNA Research Centre (Centrum Badań DNA) is a unique unit in Poland. Is it a completely new idea?
A: There are other DNA research firms in Poland but they mainly specialize in one kind of test – for instance fatherhood tests or forensic tests for courts, prosecutors and police. A unit quite like ours is in the city of Wrocław, however genetic research is only one of the services it offers. So in fact one might say we’re the only – or one of very few – firms with precisely this profile.
Q: What do you specialize in?
A: Mainly microbiological – or infection – tests on humans. We basically offer diagnostics based on DNA research to private patients, hospitals and clinics. At the moment most of our clients are private patients, who come to us to carry out tests ordained by their physicians, some also come of their own accord. We also conduct studies on human predisposition to certain kinds of genetic disorders.
Q: In what way are DNA tests useful in medical treatment?
A: Genetic tests help doctors resolve ambiguous cases or make decisions as to what treatment method to choose. The technologies we apply allow us to ascertain whether a patient is infected, we are also able to monitor treatment, especially the way a given therapy influences the pathogene. We can tell if a patient’s bacteria population has increased or decreased following the administration of a drug, or pinpoint any other effect of treatment. We are, therefore, able to inform doctors precisely about the effects their treatment will have. Patient can collect their test results after about 7 days. We have customers from all over the country, we also send out special sampling kits to patients who can not come, and they send them back with their samples. Thanks to the UPS and TNT courier firms samples come in to us from around Poland and abroad within a couple of days.
Q: What technologies do you use?
A: There are several innovative technologies. First we introduced real-time PCR tests, which is a standard in DNA testing. Real-time PCR tests are very quick, and have a lot of other plus points. This technology is very widely used in lab research Poland and Europe, but hardly at all in diagnostics. This, in fact, was one of the reasons why we opened the company. In Poland and generally in Europe there are problems with the free flow of scientific knowledge and technology to diagnostics, which I consider a major hindrance. Our knowledge today is very advanced indeed. We know a tremendous lot about medicine, genetics, and pathological ailments, but don’t apply this knowledge in practice. We want to change this by providing broad access to state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies. Until now such services – if offered at all – were very expensive. This doesn’t have to be the case – they can cost similarly to regular diagnostics. The key to success here will be a comprehensive offer of diagnostic services. This could make genetic testing really inexpensive.