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Low cost biosensor-based molecular differential diagnosis of α-thalassemia (Southeast Asia deletion)

  • Nantawan Wangmaung , Chamras Promptmas , Sirinart Chomean , Chularat Sanchomphu and Wanida Ittarat EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: February 7, 2013
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Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
From the journal Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) Volume 51 Issue 6

Abstract

Background: Thalassemias are genetic hematologic diseases which the homozygous form of α-thalassemia can cause either death in utero or shortly after birth. It is necessary to accurately identify high-risk heterozygous couples. We developed a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to identify the abnormal gene causing the commonly found α-thalassemia1, [Southeast Asia (SEA) deletion]. This work is an improved method of our previous study by reducing both production cost and analysis time.

Methods: A silver electrode on the QCM surface was immobilized with a biotinylated probe. The α-globin gene fragment was amplified and hybridized with the probe. Hybridization was indicated by changes of quartz oscillation. Each drying step was improved by using an air pump for 30 min instead of the overnight air dry. The diagnostic potency of the silver QCM was evaluated using 70 suspected samples with microcytic hypochromic erythrocytes.

Results: The silver QCM could clearly identify samples with abnormal α-globin genes, either homozygous or heterozygous, from normal samples. Thirteen out of 70 blood samples were identified as carrier of α-thalassemia1 (SEA deletion). Results were consistent with the standard agarose gel electrophoresis. Using silver instead of gold QCM could reduce the production expense 10-fold. An air pump drying the QCM surface could reduce the analysis time from 3 days to 4 h.

Conclusions: The silver thalassemic QCM was specific, sensitive, rapid, cheap and field applicable. It could be used as a one-step definite diagnosis of α-thalassemia1 (SEA deletion) with no need for the preliminary screening test.

Keywords: biosensor; DNA; quartz crystal microbalance; SEA deletion; thalassemia
Corresponding author: Wanida Ittarat, Faculty of Medical Technology, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Mahidol University, 999 Putthamonthon Road Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand, Phone: +662 4414371 ext 2836, Fax: +662 4414380

This project is supported by the Office of the Higher Education commission and Mahidol University under the National Research Universities Initiative.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ conflict of interest disclosure: The authors stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Research funding: None declared.

Employment or leadership: None declared.

Honorarium: None declared.

Support: The first author was also supported by the 60th Year Supreme Reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Scholarships of the Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

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Received: 2012-10-25
Accepted: 2013-01-02
Published Online: 2013-02-07
Published in Print: 2013-06-01

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2012-0732
Keywords for this article
biosensor; DNA; quartz crystal microbalance; SEA deletion; thalassemia

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Letters to the Editor
  2. Evaluation of a novel room temperature RNA storage tube for use in a real-time quantitative PCR assay
  3. Evaluation of the Universal Master Mix (STAT-NAT DNA-Mix) for reliable molecular testing
  4. HbA1c: performance of the Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing
  5. A case of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): type IgD-lambda
  6. Evidence-based use of serum protein electrophoresis in laboratory medicine
  7. Plasma volume shifts during multiday racing
  8. Structured handoff at shift change in a clinical laboratory increases patient safety
  9. Instrument-dependent interference of Howell-Jolly bodies in reticulocyte enumeration
  10. Reply to Gore et al.: Plasma volume shift during multiday racing
  11. Recommendations for appropriate serum electrophoresis requests: the Italian approach
  12. Masthead
  13. Masthead
  14. Editorials
  15. Biomarkers for sepsis: an unfinished journey
  16. Laboratory demand management of repetitive testing – time for harmonisation and an evidenced based approach
  17. Reviews
  18. Non-invasive prenatal diagnostics of aneuploidy using next-generation DNA sequencing technologies, and clinical considerations
  19. The diagnostic utility of brain natriuretic peptide in heart failure patients presenting with acute dyspnea: a meta-analysis
  20. Opinion Paper
  21. Opinion paper on innovative approach of biomarkers for infectious diseases and sepsis management in the emergency department
  22. Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics
  23. Microarray with LNA-probes for genotyping of polymorphic variants of Gilbert’s syndrome gene UGT1A1(TA)n
  24. Selection of the optimal manual method of cell free fetal DNA isolation from maternal plasma
  25. A multiplex assay to rapidly exclude HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 expression in patients at risk for celiac disease
  26. Low cost biosensor-based molecular differential diagnosis of α-thalassemia (Southeast Asia deletion)
  27. General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
  28. Managing laboratory test ordering through test frequency filtering
  29. Critical review of laboratory investigations in clinical practice guidelines: proposals for the description of investigation
  30. Long-term stability of laboratory tests and practical implications for quality management
  31. Coffee consumption, serum γ-glutamyltransferase, and glucose tolerance status in middle-aged Japanese men
  32. Biological variation and prognosis usefulness of new biomarkers in liver transplantation
  33. Switching between parathormone (PTH) assays: the impact on the diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy
  34. A comparison between two different in vitro basophil activation tests for gluten- and cow’s milk protein sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like patients
  35. A proficiency testing program of hemoglobin analysis in prevention and control of severe hemoglobinopathies in Thailand
  36. Advancing haemostasis automation – successful implementation of robotic centrifugation and sample processing in a tertiary service hospital
  37. ADAM12s and PP13 as first trimester screening markers for adverse pregnancy outcome
  38. Analysis of serous body fluids using the CELL-DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer
  39. Cancer Diagnostics
  40. Association and prognostic value of serum inflammation markers in patients with leukoplakia and oral cavity cancer
  41. Do laboratories follow heart failure recommendations and guidelines and did we improve? The CARdiac MArker Guideline Uptake in Europe (CARMAGUE)
  42. Cardiovascular Diseases
  43. Additional diagnostic and prognostic value of copeptin ultra-sensitive for diagnosis of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in older patients presenting to the emergency department1)
  44. Moderate elevations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide in chronic hemodialysis patients are associated with mortality
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