In the field of gynecology, NGS has numerous applications:
- Genetic Screening: NGS is used for genetic screening of hereditary conditions such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. - Prenatal Testing: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) uses NGS to detect chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome from a maternal blood sample. - Oncology: NGS helps in the characterization of gynecological cancers, such as cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, by identifying specific mutations that can guide targeted therapies. - Microbiome Analysis: Understanding the vaginal microbiome through NGS can offer insights into conditions like bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis.
