High resolution melting curve analysis of DNA sequence alterations of various sizes.

In the diagnostic workflow we need to think in algorithms, containing more assays. One of the most important task in the management of cancer patient is to detect nucleic acid sequence changes in clinical specimens. Before using the most expensive method to analyze direct our targets, a screening assay is needed to reduce the number of samples. In the detection of gene-sequence alterations classical screening methods are available, as SSCP, DGGE or TGGE, (Finke Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 104:92-97, 1996; Lessa and Applebaum Mol Ecol 2:119-129, 1993) however these are very time consuming processes. At this time in the molecular lab the real-time PCR equipments are very popular and with the function of melting curve analysis it can be a very convenient, simple and cost-efficient screening method.