Rapid detection of deletional alpha-thalassemia by an oligonucleotide microarray.

A simple, fast, and highly reproducible protocol for detection of the three most common deletional alpha-thalassemias (- -SEA, - alpha3.7, -alpha4.2) using an oligonucleotide microarray was developed. PCR products were directly hybridized to the microarrays with different deletion-specific probes. Genotypes were determined by quantitative analysis of the fluorescent signals detected by fluorescence scanning. Blind assays on 400 samples validated the efficiency and specificity of the protocol. This method may be suitable for routine clinical use and population screening for deletional alpha-thalassemia. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.