Automated mutation analysis

Automated mutation analysis brings with it a vastly increased capacity in the number of test samples that can be processed at a time, as well as much improved test reproducibility. Until now, the introduction of automation into this field had been restricted to the use of semiautomated sequencing systems to make the most of the sequence information extractable from a single lane in an electrophoretic gel or in a polymer-filled glass capillary. Much effort is now being directed into harnessing the potential of DNA microarrays (DNA chips) and there is increasing interest in the potential of matrix-assisted mass spectrometry for determining the detail of large nucleic acid molecules. Meanwhile, there are other important recent developments already available, including robotic workstations, the further development of the allele-specific oligonucleotide assay into microtitre formats, and its use with fluorescence for real-time quantitative PCR analysis. Implementation of these developments in appropriate settings can further streamline the routine of molecular diagnostic laboratories, allowing them to take greater advantage of the recent surge of gene discoveries and their associated disease-causing mutations.