Custom Genotyping Assays

PCR-RFLP, DNA Sequencing, and more to custom-fit your research needs

Genetic polymorphisms involved in DNA replication and repair may play an important role in the disease process. Recent advances made in PCR technology have significantly simplified the analysis of genetic polymorphisms. After the common sequence variations observed in a population have been determined by DNA sequencing, PCR strategies can be designed to elucidate the particular allele present in each individual sample.

BioServe scientists can can assist in appropriate assay design for your genotyping needs.  Certain technology limitations or particular gene characterisitcs may inhibit the establishment of optimum assay conditions for our high-throughput genotyping platforms.  In these case, BioServe relies on over 20 years of genotyping experience to custom design assay parameters to fit your research needs.

For example, we've developed a PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay for the glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and/or T1 genes, which have been shown to be deleted in certain individuals. Using a PCR coamplification analysis with beta-globin as an internal standard and a GST-M1+/GST-T1+ positive control, a large number of samples can be rapidly genotyped with respect to GST status.

Similarly, amplification of a region surrounding a naturally occurring restriction enzyme site, followed by digestion with the appropriate enzyme, can allow genotyping determination to be made. An example of this strategy is the genotyping of four sequence variations of the NAT2 gene by PCR amplification and four separate restriction analyses. If a naturally occurring restriction site does not exist in either of the expected alleles of a gene, a restriction site can usually be engineered by creative primer design.

Alternatively, BioServe offers custom DNA sequencing services to perform lower throughput genotyping projects.