Serology
Serology is another term which sounds much more complicated that it really is. Although it’s not directly linked to DNA testing it can be treated quite similarly to it, or work in conjunction with it. Serology refers to the study of serum in blood and specifically the antibodies within that serum.
Sometimes the term is also used to describe the study of antibodies in other human bodily fluids, though, such as saliva, semen or urine. All of these have similar characteristics to blood so can be tested in a similar way. Professional scientists can take advantage of serology to find out information about the DNA of the person from which the specific substance came, for example, if sickle cell anaemia exists in a blood sample then that will be a traceable feature of the blood donor’s DNA.
Often serology is used to diagnose health problems or determine someone’s blood type, but it can be used to assess risks and pre–empt the spread of disease, too. Usually the human body creates antibodies when it is faced with infections and diseases to try to fight them. By looking at these antibodies, how they are made and what types of antibody are present, scientists can then gain information about a person’s immune system. They can also work out the chances of them contracting an autoimmune illness and discover predispositions to certain allergies and diseases.
Many forensic departments at police stations also use serology to solve crimes. In such cases, a sample of semen could be linked to a rape victim, for example, or blood could be linked to a crime scene.
