What role do mRNA assays play in molecular diagnostics?

The role of mRNA assays in molecular diagnostics is primarily centered around assessing the expression levels of genes in various conditions. This is achieved by measuring the quantity of mRNA transcripts produced for specific genes, which can provide insights into gene activity under different biological circumstances, such as disease states, developmental stages, or responses to therapies.

mRNA assays are powerful tools in understanding how genes are regulated and how their expression changes in response to internal and external stimuli. For example, in cancer research, they can indicate whether certain oncogenes are upregulated or tumor suppressor genes are downregulated, thus contributing to the diagnosis and treatment planning.

The other options mention functions that are not related to mRNA assays. Blood glucose level measurement pertains to metabolic assessments, antibody detection is linked to immune responses, and protein structure analysis falls under proteomics—none of which directly involve mRNA or its quantification. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the specific role of mRNA assays in the realm of molecular diagnostics.