Cheap portable gene fragment analysis developed

A cheap, portable method to determine gene mutations, suitable for use in hospital labs, has been developed by US scientists.

Information on gene mutation can suggest whether an individual is predisposed to suffer from a disease, follow disease progression and check on the response to medication.

The ’gold standard’ for determining gene mutation is currently nucleotide sequencing but this is too expensive for routine use in hospital labs.

Cheng Lee’s group at the University of Maryland has been working on producing a high-throughput scanning method for polymerise chain reaction products.

The researchers have created a polycarbonate chip containing miniature two-dimensional electrophoresis equipment that passes the DNA fragments (of the selected size) from the first dimension gel electrophoresis, via connecting channels, to the second dimension channels. Here temperature gradient gel electrophoresis takes place.

Finally, a laser-induced fluorescence detector monitors the separated products.

The procedure takes about five minutes and the apparatus is cheap and highly portable.

Roger Young