ASCP MB — Technologist in Molecular Biology

An exam-objective-aligned path to the ASCP Board of Certification credential Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP). Built directly on the BOC Examination Content Guideline's four weighted content areas — Molecular Science (20–25%), Molecular Techniques (30–35%), Laboratory Operations (15–20%), and Applications of Molecular Testing (30–35%) — at textbook depth. Regulatory and clinical-claim content (operations and applications courses) is authored at high-tier citation rigor against U.S. primary sources (CLIA, CAP, CLSI, FDA).

Who it's for. Clinical laboratory professionals and life-science graduates preparing for the MB(ASCP) examination, or building working competence in clinical molecular diagnostics. Assumes general biology literacy; builds molecular concepts from first principles and links prerequisites via concept tags.

6 courses · 34 lessons

Path

1. Molecular Biology Foundations

   Exam Content Area I (Molecular Science). The nucleic-acid chemistry, central dogma, enzymes, and genetics that every technique and application assumes.

   Nucleic Acid Chemistry

   • DNA and RNA Structure
   • Base Pairing, the Double Helix, and Melting Temperature
   • DNA-Associated Proteins and Chromatin
   • Mutations and Sequence Variation

   Basic Molecular Theory

   • DNA Replication
   • Transcription and RNA Processing
   • Translation, the Genetic Code, and Protein Structure
   • Chromosome and Extrachromosomal Structure

   Biochemical Reagents and Enzymes

   • Polymerases and Reverse Transcriptase
   • Nucleases and DNA Ligase
   • Assay Development and Design

   Human and Microbial Genetics

   • Human Genetics for the Molecular Lab
   • Microbial Genetics

2. Nucleic Acid Preparation and Detection

   The first half of Content Area II (Molecular Techniques): getting clean nucleic acid out of a specimen and detecting it — isolation, manipulation, electrophoresis, and probe chemistry — before amplification builds on it.

   Nucleic Acid Isolation

   • Principles of Nucleic Acid Extraction
   • Automated Extraction and Specimen Considerations
   • Assessing Nucleic Acid Quality and Quantity

   Manipulation of RNA/DNA

   • Nucleic Acid Labeling
   • Restriction Enzymes and RFLP
   • Bisulfite Conversion and Methylation Analysis

   Separation and Detection

   • Gel Electrophoresis
   • Capillary Electrophoresis
   • Probe Hybridization and Stringency
   • Probe Chemistries and Detection Formats

3. Amplification, Sequencing, and Advanced Techniques

   The second half of Content Area II: PCR and its variations, isothermal methods, Sanger and next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and array and mass-spec platforms — the engines behind nearly every clinical assay.

   The Polymerase Chain Reaction

   • PCR Principles and the Thermal Cycle
   • Primer Design and Reaction Optimization
   • Real-Time PCR, RT-PCR, and Nested PCR
   • Multiplex, Allele-Specific, and Digital PCR

   Non-PCR Amplification

   • Isothermal and Alternative Amplification

   Sequencing and Bioinformatics

   • Sanger Sequencing
   • Next-Generation Sequencing
   • Pyrosequencing and RNA Sequencing
   • Bioinformatics for the Molecular Lab

   Other Molecular Techniques

   • Melt-Curve Analysis and Epigenetic Detection
   • Array Technology and Mass Spectrometry

4. Molecular Laboratory Operations, Quality, and Regulation

   Content Area III (Laboratory Operations). Contamination control, quality assurance, validation, and the U.S. regulatory framework that govern how a molecular test is run and reported. High-tier, primary-source citations.

   Contamination Control

   Quality Assurance

   Guidelines, Regulations, Personnel, and Safety

5. Molecular Infectious Disease and Oncology

   The first half of Content Area IV (Applications): infectious-disease and oncology molecular testing — the highest-volume clinical use cases, where the techniques and operations of the prior courses come together.

   Molecular Infectious Disease Testing

   Molecular Oncology

6. Molecular Genetics, Identity, and Pharmacogenomics

   The second half of Content Area IV: inherited disorders, HLA, genetic identity, engraftment, and pharmacogenomics — the genetics applications that round out the credential's clinical scope.

   Inherited Disorders

   Identity, Engraftment, and Pharmacogenomics