Prenatal Genetic Testing
Prenatal Genetic Testing
Ravgen was founded with the goal of developing fetal DNA sequencing methods for patients seeking a prenatal test which is both safe during pregnancy and highly accurate. The key to developing this technology lies in Ravgen’s ability to increase the percentage of fetal DNA present in blood from the pregnant mother. Current applications for noninvasive prenatal testing include: single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, the Eastern European Jewish panel, and paternity testing.
Please browse for each noninvasive prenatal test to learn more about our research and testing. Ravgen welcomes inquiries regarding prenatal tests that are also not seen here, as our laboratory is continuously moving forward in this field.
Ravgen’s mission is to provide state of the art genetic testing that will enrich the lives of its patients. Through noninvasive prenatal diagnostic tests, Ravgen gives patients the knowledge they need to prepare for their pregnancies and treat diseases at an early stage.
After several years of research Ravgen published its first paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2004. The paper described how the company was able to increase the percentage of fetal DNA present in a tube of blood from the mother by adding the preservative, formaldehyde. In 2007, a second journal article was published in The Lancet which presented a study showcasing its ability to use this technology to detect Down’s syndrome from blood. These publications received worldwide press coverage, from CNN to The London Times and Washington Post.
Prenatal Down Syndrome Testing
Our goal is to develop a fetal DNA based sequencing method to allow for safe, noninvasive, and accurate prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders early in pregnancy.
Ravgen published its noninvasive prenatal testing technology in a two-step process. In 2004, our first paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) described the methods to increase the percentage of fetal DNA present in a tube of blood from the mother by adding a fixative to prevent maternal cell lysis. In 2007, a second publication in The Lancet presented a study showcasing its ability to use this technology to detect the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21 in Down syndrome from a blood draw using Ravgen’s non-hybridization- based DNA sequencing method. Ravgen has spent over a decade developing noninvasive prenatal Down testing and it continues to be under research and development at this time.
Single Gene Disorder Testing
Ravgen’s ability to increase the percentage of fetal DNA present in blood from the pregnant mother allows noninvasive prenatal genetic testing for single gene disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. When a pregnant mother and her partner are both carriers for a recessive single gene disorder, they have a 1 in 4 chance of having a baby affected with that genetic condition, or 2 in 4 chance of having a baby that is a carrier.
Our noninvasive prenatal single-gene disorder testing is a safer and earlier alternative than invasive tests like chorionic villi sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. Single gene disorders that can be tested by noninvasive prenatal testing include: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and any other single-gene disorder for which the mutation is known. Ravgen welcomes inquiries regarding prenatal tests which are not seen here as our laboratory is continuously moving forward in the field.
Commonly Asked Questions
How is our DNA Prenatal Paternity Testing done?
We have sites all over the United States for sample collections. Please contact Ravgen at (410) 715-2111 to make convenient arrangements.
Do you offer testing outside of the United States?
Currently, samples are only collected from the United States and Canada due to the limitations of fetal DNA while shipping.
Do we have to go to an appointment together?
Can I bring in a sample for the alleged father?
We can test other samples besides the standard buccal swab collection, but there is an additional fee included. Please feel free to call the lab at (410) 715-2111 to discuss viable sample options.
How accurate is our DNA Prenatal Paternity Test?
DNA prenatal paternity testing can either exclude or confirm a father. Our test is over 99% accurate.
How early can you detect fetal DNA?
Fetal DNA can be detected as early as 5 weeks and rises rapidly throughout the first trimester.
What kind of things can you test for with fetal DNA?
We can test for a number of single gene disorders including: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, and the Jewish panel. In addition to single gene disorders, we also offer noninvasive prenatal DNA paternity testing.
Can cells last from a previous pregnancy?
In the mother’s blood, there are intact fetal cells and free-floating fetal DNA that were released from fetal cells destroyed by the mother’s immune system. While it is thought that a few rare intact fetal cells can escape the mother’s immune system and persist from previous pregnancies, free-floating fetal DNA can only last for a few hours. Therefore, all of our tests are based on free-floating fetal DNA present in the mother’s blood rather than intact fetal cells. It has been well shown that free-floating fetal DNA cannot exist from previous pregnancies.
Is this technology approved by any governing bodies?
Ravgen has been recognized and approved by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and has received a certificate of accreditation under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
Has this technology been published?
Ravgen, Inc. has published the basis of this technology in top medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. Please browse under our News & Publications tab for additional publications.
Do you have a payment plan?
Yes, we do! Please call our lab at (410) 715-2111 to discuss our options.