Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the absence or reduction of beta-globin chain synthesis. In some populations glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is also common. Together with partners Asper has developed a microarray-based assay for parallel detection of 90 common mutations from beta-globin, glucose 6-phosphate and delta-globin genes. 

Nucleotide change in position 28_cd2CAC>CAT of Human beta hemoglobin gene analyzed by APEX. The signals corresponding to T in the sense strand and A in the antisense strand are indicative for mutation. 

References 

1. Reliable Detection of ß-Thalasseemia and G6PD Mutations by a DNA Microarray.
Gemignani, F., Perra, C., Landi, St., Canzian, F., Kurg, A., Tõnisson, N., Galanello, R., Cao, A., Metsplau, A. and Romeo, G.
Clinical Chemistry 2002, Vol. 48, No.11, pp. 2051-2054

Requirements for the DNA samples

• the quality of the DNA needs to be ensured
• 550 ng of genomic DNA is required for thalassemia analysis
• Preferred concentration range of the DNA is 100-250 ng/ul
• DNA samples to be solved in pure sterile water

DNA sample submitting 

• For speedy and secure delivery, international courier services, for example DHL, UPS and FedEx, are recommended; alternatively, you can send samples by air mail as a small parcel. 

• Since high quality DNA samples are stable, there is no need for shipment on dry or wet ice.
  Care should be taken to avoid drying out; please use either screw cap tubes or wrap the caps of each Eppendorf tube with parafilm. 

• In order to avoid damage to the tubes during shipment, a tube storage box made of plastic or cardboard, and doubling it with a padded envelope, is recommended. Please avoid using round containers, such as 50 ml Corning tubes, for tube protection. 

• Send samples to the following address:
         Asper Biotech
         Oru 3
         Tartu 51014
         Estonia
         Ph: +372 7 441 556 

• Please fill in the DNA sample submission form, which improves and accelerates the handling of DNA samples submitted to Asper and include it in the package as you ship samples. Download the form in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. 

• Notify us by email (info@asperbio.com, or the respective project manager), including the number of samples, which test is to be performed, and shipment tracking data).

• Enclose in the package the list of samples, which test is to be performed and DNA quality data. 

• Please make sure that the declared value for the package in the shipment documents does not exceed 10 EUR (USD).

Additional services

Additional verification by DNA Sequencing
To confirm the results with secondary method, Asper provides verification of the APEX findings by dideoxy sequencing. Sequencing will be performed under strict quality control regulations by professionally trained personnel on Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyzer.
Hard copies of the reports on official blank
Asper can provide the formatted results on company’s official letter blank upon request. The hard copy will be signed and sealed by head of the lab and sent out by registered mail. 
Storage of DNA samples at Asper's DNA bank
Asper always performs the screening with as limited amount of DNA as possible. If there will be enough remained DNA; it can be storaged in Asper’s DNA bank. The DNA can be used for further analysis by other tests or just for re-screening. The amount of remained DNA will be measured and report will be sent to partner. The data of DNA samples will be recorded in our laboratory information system and stored under strict quality controlled manner. 
Returning of DNA samples
The remained DNA can be also sent back to partners either by regular mail or by courier.  

Turnaround Time

Standard delivery – The results will be delivered approximately in 3 – 6 weeks after the arrival of  samples.
Express delivery – The results will be delivered in 3 – 5  working days from the arrival of samples. Please note that the cost of the express delivery differs from the standard delivery. 

For further information
Payment details
Please contact: info@asperbio.com 
Thalassemia test (pdf, 108 kb)