This is a relatively young, but rapidly developing medical field, which was created after the decoding of the human genome in 2003 as part of the Human Genome Project. Predictive genetics combines genetics with preventive medicine, where the analysis of DNA samples can reveal predispositions to a number of affluence and hereditary diseases. Thanks to this, the necessary preventive measures can be set up and the onset of the disease can be prevented in time. In addition, the body's ability to metabolise certain harmful substances or drugs, food intolerances and gene mutations that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer and many others can be detected. A predisposition, or a susceptibility to a disease, does not mean that you have the disease or that you are certain to develop it in the future. The occurrence of the disease is influenced by many factors. Besides the genetic code, there are also external factors, including your lifestyle and environment, eating habits, stress and others. Therefore, an integral part of predictive genetic analysis is a consultation with a physician and a personalized set of recommendations on what measures to take in case of a positive result and how to effectively prevent the risk of developing the disease.
Thanks to the results of genetic analysis, you will have the key to your health, and health is the key to a happy life.
Comprehensive genetic analyses identify possible hereditary predispositions for a set of most common diseases. Based on the results, the level of risk for cardiovascular, cancer, metabolic, autoimmune and other diseases can be determined and appropriate preventive measures can be set in consultation with a doctor.
The propensity to certain diseases, but also how the body reacts to various risk factors and external influences, is stored in our DNA. GenScan® genetic analysis is aimed at detecting a wide range of health risks and the possibility of developing diseases of civilization. Whether and to what extent, if at all, the potential predispositions to develop a particular disease come to fruition over the course of a lifetime is influenced quite significantly by our lifestyle. Based on a comprehensive and detailed genetic analysis, GenScan® can reveal genetic predispositions to certain diseases, allowing you to focus your prevention and health care in the right direction and improve your quality of life.
The test is particularly suitable for those who want to maintain their health in the best possible condition in the long term. In addition to predispositions to hereditary and/or civilization diseases, the results of the analysis will also help to determine, for example, what lifestyle changes are specifically desirable for you, what laboratory values you should regularly monitor, which medications, if any, are most suitable for you and in what dosage, the cause of your difficulties in conceiving or recurrent illness in your family, and many others.
In our laboratory, physicians and geneticists with many years of experience are involved in developing tests, performing genetic analyses, and interpreting results. This allows us to provide you with a truly detailed view of your health and the highest level of care. We make sure that the results of the analysis are easy to understand and as beneficial to you as possible. A consultation with your doctor is an essential part of the examination, so that your personal medical history is taken into account when evaluating the results and the conclusions of the analysis are explained in a clear manner. This gives you a clear report on your health, a comprehensive set of personalised recommendations on how best to compensate for any risks, and answers to any questions you may have about your health. Improve your life - it's in your genes and in your hands.
Reproductive genetics allows to minimize the risks in family planning. Genetic analysis can be used to determine whether one or both of a couple carries a risky hereditary disposition that could cause serious diseases or birth defects in their offspring. It can clarify the cause of infertility or repeated miscarriages.
This area of genetic testing includes testing for hereditary predispositions to blood clotting disorders, which include thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and other genetic cardiovascular diseases.
Inherited metabolic disorders are caused by defects in enzyme-coding genes involved in metabolism. It is a rather diverse group of several hundred diseases with different manifestations, different types of inheritance and treatment options. As a result of poor metabolic function, metabolism is impaired, which can lead to severe organ damage. A large number of metabolic disorders result in health problems caused by the accumulation of substances that become toxic and interfere with the normal functioning of the body.
Pharmacogenetics is the study of how differences in our genes affect how drugs act on our bodies and how our bodies respond to those drugs. Genetic predispositions affect the rate of metabolic processing (activation or breakdown) of a drug, its concentration in the blood, the effectiveness of treatment and the risk of side effects. Based on this knowledge, the appropriate drug can be selected for a particular patient, the appropriate dose can be determined and the risk of side effects can be minimised.
Oncological disease, popularly known as cancer, is currently one of the most common diseases of affluence. Tumours arise from the uncontrolled proliferation of cells, which occurs randomly or as a result of an inherited mutation in a specific gene. According to the characteristics of the tumour and the prognosis of the disease, we distinguish between benign and malignant tumours, which are 10-15% hereditary. The most common cancers include breast and ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer and various types of leukaemia.
This group of genetic examinations is aimed at detecting the risk of hereditary and genetically determined diseases. This is both for the purpose of prevention (prediction) aimed at capturing genetic changes associated with the risk of developing a disease during life, for the purpose of diagnosis in persons with specific symptoms or manifestations of a disease, and last but not least, for the purpose of detecting possible transmission before family planning.
At GHC Genetics, we now offer 2 types of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): Geneplanet Plus and Geneplanet Twins.
The non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is designed for pregnant women. It can detect the risk of chromosomal defects such as Down's, Patau's and Edwards syndromes with an accuracy of more than 99%. This test, available from 9 weeks of pregnancy, is a gentle and reliable way to get key information about your baby's genetic health.
A comprehensive spectrum of prenatal examinations (including NIPT) and above-standard prenatal care and control of fetal health throughout the entire pregnancy is offered by our sister Centre of Prenatal Diagnostics PRENET in Pardubice. It performs biochemical screening for birth defects in the first and second trimesters, integrated screening for birth defects and non-invasive tests (NIPT). It also performs ultrasound screenings with the innovative Voluson E8 ultrasound machine, both in the first trimester (including NT, FMF certified sonographer) and also at 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, as well as targeted super-conciliar ultrasound. The prenatal centre also includes a genetics clinic.
DNA is the genetic information stored in the cells of our body and is a combination of the DNA of both of our biological parents. Therefore, when situations or circumstances arise in life that lead to the need to verify one's biological relationship with another person or persons, a DNA kinship test comes into play, which can be used to determine paternity, confirm maternity, consanguinity, as well as to determine the zygosity of twins or the origin of family lines.