Roche Molecular Systems has used high-throughput sequencing technology from 454 Life Sciences to carry out high-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping in research samples.
The study is published in the Tissue Antigens journal.
In the study, the researchers performed ultra-deep amplicon sequencing of specific HLA class I and II gene loci with the Genome Sequencer FLX System and successfully assigned allele-level genotypes using software developed by Conexio Genomics.
The results of the study have important implications for future research on a variety of human diseases and tissue transplantation.
HLA class I and class II genes encode for the cell-surface proteins responsible for differentiating between self- and non-self cells, and other antigens.
Accurate HLA genotyping is clinically important for hematopoetic stem cell (HSC) transplantation between unrelated donors and recipients to minimize the risk of graft rejection and graft versus host disease (GVHD).
Accurate HLA genotyping is also critically important for research on many human diseases.
454 Life Sciences is due to launch GS FLX Titanium kits and software, offering increases in read length and throughput for amplicon sequencing.
The kits will improve targeting resequencing studies, such as HLA class I and II genotyping, by more completely covering loci with fewer amplicons and enhancing sensitivity for identifying rare variants and haplotypes.
