WAVE nucleic acid fragment analysis system
Transgenomics' proprietary WAVE Nucleic Acid Fragment Analysis System has been designed and optimized to use the DNASep cartridge for separating (ds or ss) DNA. WAVE is also commonly known as DHPLC (denaturing high performance liquid chromatography). The system can easily resolve PCR products that have small differences in their lengths. The WAVE System is based on the company's proprietary micro-bead technology. The patented micro-beads are packed into proprietary DNASep separation column, which is the key component of WAVE System. Each microbead has specific surface chemistry that interacts with DNA molecules. The DNA molecules are then selectively separated from the micro-beads with a mixture of liquid reagents. The system is computer controlled and contains the proprietary software WAVEMAKER, which predicts analytical parameters with a high accuracy for optimal fragment separation and mutational analysis. The WAVE HS System incorporates fluorescence detection to expand the high-sensitivity in analysis of nucleic acid fragments. Advantages of WAVE include high sensitive, accuracy (can detect as little as 1 copy of a mutated allele in 100 wild type copies), speed, cost-effectiveness and versatility (enables many fluorescent labels to be utilized). Because of this versatility, the WAVE System can essentially replace the use of traditional gel electrophoresis in the molecular biology laboratory. Applications include the following:
1. Mutation screening
2. Polymorphic marker mapping
3. Linkage analysis
4. Cancer epidemiology
5. Population studies
6. Forensic and paternity analysis (STR)
7. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH)
WAVE analyzes previously identified genes for any variations, changes or mutations. Mutations discovered by DHPLC may provide researchers with critical information about the cause, onset and progression of certain diseases. Scanning for mutations in genes with the WAVE System relies on the specific binding of complementary strands of the DNA double helix. If a mutation exists, a DNA heteroduplex (pairing of different strands) is formed and the binding is less 'tight.' High temperatures can be used to denature (melt) the DNA double helix. If a mutation exists, the melting temperature of the heteroduplex will be lower. Partially melted DNA can be easily separated from unmelted DNA homoduplexes (pairings of similar strands) containing no mutation. WAVE technology is ideal for the design of new tests for inherited diseases, particularly those characterized by a variety of potential mutation sites dispersed across large or complex genes. Since the WAVE System detects any mutation within a particular DNA fragment, there is no need to design and optimize a specific probe- or primer-based assay for each individual mutation.
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