MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-based SNP genotyping.

In recent years a growing demand for simple and robust SNP genotyping platforms has arisen from the widespread use of SNPs in industrial and public research. The resulting knowledge about genotype/phenotype correlations is of special interest for the identification of potential new drug targets and in the field of pharmacogenomics. However, full exploitation of the available genomic information requires vast numbers of SNP analyses, as large cohorts of patients have to be screened for a large number of markers. Only very few of the current SNP genotyping techniques can cope with the resulting demands concerning sample throughput, automation, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry has the potential to develop into a 'Gold Standard' for high-throughput SNP genotyping - if it has not already done so. This review will focus on the latest developments of this technology.