Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) is a detection method by adding fluorescent dye or fluorescent probe into the PCR reaction system, using fluorescent signal accumulation to monitor amplification react...Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) is a detection method by adding fluorescent dye or fluorescent probe into the PCR reaction system, using fluorescent signal accumulation to monitor amplification reactions of PCR reaction process, and finally the unknown template can be quantitatively analyzed through the standard curve. So the detection level of PCR has improved from the qualitative to the quantitative. In order to provide a theoretical reference for further application, the principle, classification, advantages and disadvantages of RQ-PCR were intro- duced, and its application and progress in plants in recent years were reviewed.展开更多
The species distinctive PCR primer of Lactobacillus acidophilus ( L. acidophilus) was designed according to 16S rRNA gene sequences of conunon Lac- tobacillus species in fermented material. Bacterial genome DNA of s...The species distinctive PCR primer of Lactobacillus acidophilus ( L. acidophilus) was designed according to 16S rRNA gene sequences of conunon Lac- tobacillus species in fermented material. Bacterial genome DNA of separated L. acidophilus in fermented sample was taken as template, and L. acidophilus in fer- mented material was conducted the quantitative determination by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Analysis on RT-PCR results shown that contents of L. aci- dophilus in the test sample reached 1.5 billion CFU / g. Test results shown that contents of L. acidophilus in fermented material could be detected accurately by the established RT-PCR method in the test. indicating that the established RT-PCR method could be aookued to the detection of L. acidophilus in fermented material.展开更多
Real-Lime fluorescent quantitative PCR is a method for quantitative analysis of gene expression developed in recent years, which has been widely used in various fields such as basic scientific research, clinical diagn...Real-Lime fluorescent quantitative PCR is a method for quantitative analysis of gene expression developed in recent years, which has been widely used in various fields such as basic scientific research, clinical diagnosis, disease study, drug research and development since its appearance. It starts relatively late in study on plants, but has already been used for analysis of gene expression in plants and gene identification of exogenous genes. The principles or advantages and dis- advantages of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, or its potential problems and condition optimizations in tests were introduced in this study, and then the appli- cation and prospect of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in study on plants were also been discussed.展开更多
[ Objective] To develop a real-time fluorescent PCR assay for rapid detection of Haempohlius parasuis (HPS). [ Method] According to the conservative sequences of 16 S rRNA genes of HPS published in GenBank, a pair o...[ Objective] To develop a real-time fluorescent PCR assay for rapid detection of Haempohlius parasuis (HPS). [ Method] According to the conservative sequences of 16 S rRNA genes of HPS published in GenBank, a pair of specific primers was designed. The real-time fluorescent PCR was developed by optimizing primer concentration and annealing temperature. And its specificity and reproducibility were evaluated. Ten HPS- suspected samples were detected by the developed method. [ Result] The lowest detection limit of the developed real-time fluorescent PCR was 50 copies/μl. This method had good reproducibility, and its coefficient of variation was lower than 2%. Only HPS rather than Streptococcus suis type 2, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli DH5 alpha, and swine Salmonella typhi could be detected by the developed real-time fluorescent PCR. The HPS-pesitive samples detected by this method were also positive when they were detected by isolation of bacteria or conventional PCR. [ Conclusion] The developed real-time fluorescent PCR is rapid, sensitive, specific and highly reproducible; thus, it can be used for rapid detection of HPS.展开更多
Peanut,sesame and other raw materials of food are allergens for special populations.In this study,specific primers and TaqMan probes labeled by different fluorescences were designed targeting Ara h 2 gene of peanut an...Peanut,sesame and other raw materials of food are allergens for special populations.In this study,specific primers and TaqMan probes labeled by different fluorescences were designed targeting Ara h 2 gene of peanut and Ses i 1 gene of sesame.After the optimization of reaction conditions,a real-time fluorescent PCR method was established for simultaneous detection of allergenic ingredients of peanut and sesame in food.Genomic DNA samples of peanut,sesame,rice,wheat,barley,soybean,celery,maize,potato,tomato,walnut,groundnut in shell,cashew nut,sunflower seed,almond,apple,pear and strawberry,pork,beef,mutton and fish were used as templates for PCR amplification with deionized water as negative control template.Results indicated that the established real-time fluorescent PCR method could specifically identify allergenic ingredients of peanut and sesame simultaneously.Sensitivity test showed that the minimum detection limit of this method was 0.01%.Therefore,the established real-time fluorescent PCR method is a specific,sensitive and effective assay for simultaneously detecting allergenic ingredients of peanut and sesame in food.展开更多
In order to improve the standardized technical systems of quantitative analyses for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products, ensure bio-safety and reduce ecological risk in China, a real-time fluorescent ...In order to improve the standardized technical systems of quantitative analyses for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products, ensure bio-safety and reduce ecological risk in China, a real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was established for detection of genetically modified maize line MON88017. The established method was evaluated based on the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and measurement uncertainty. The results showed that the established method had strong specificity in detection of genetically modified maize line MON88017. 1.50% MON88017 sample was detected with 29 replica- tions. The average measured value ( 1. 541% ) was close to the actual value ( 1.50% ) and the relative deviation was 2.70%. The variation coefficient of the measured value was 0.110 g ; the recovery was 100.00% and the measurement uncertainty was 0. 096. The limit of detection for genetically modified maize line MON88017 with the established method was 5 copies at the 97.5% confidence level. Thus, the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay established in this study exhibited high specificity, accuracy and sensitivity, which could provide technical support for the safety supervision of genetically modified organ- isms and products in China.展开更多
Summary:The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan,Hubei province of China in January 2020.This study aims to investigate the effects of different temperature and time durations of virus...Summary:The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan,Hubei province of China in January 2020.This study aims to investigate the effects of different temperature and time durations of virus inactivation on the results of PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2.Twelve patients at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 were selected on February 13,2020 and throat swabs were taken.The swabs were stored at room tempcrature(20-25℃),then divided into aliquots and subjected to different temperature for different periods in order to inactivate the viruses(56℃for 30,45,60 min;65,70,80℃for 10,15,20 min).Control aliquots were stored at room temperature for 60 min.Then all aliquots were tested in a real-time fluorescence PCR using primers against SARS-CoV-2.Regardless of inactivation temperature and time,7 of 12 cases(58.3%)tested were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR,and cycle threshold values were similar.These results suggest that virus inactivation parameters exert minimal infuence on PCR test results.Inactivation at 65℃for 10 min may be sufficient to ensure safe,reliable testing.展开更多
This study was to develop the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technique for detecting the ratoon stunting disease (RSD) in virus-free seedcane seedlings. Healthy tissue culture seedlings were obtained from s...This study was to develop the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technique for detecting the ratoon stunting disease (RSD) in virus-free seedcane seedlings. Healthy tissue culture seedlings were obtained from six plants of sugarcane ROC22, which had been confirmed RSD-positive by detecting the sugarcane juice, by employing the sugarcane seedlings production protocol. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect RSD pathogens in tissue culture sam- pies. The results showed that target fragment of RSD pathogens was not found in all 10 samples in real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, with the Ct values of 37 - 39. The healthy tissue culture sugarcane seedlings do not carry RSD pathogens, indicating that adopting healthy seedcane seedlings production technique could thoroughly get rid of RSD pathogens.展开更多
According to VP2 gene sequence of the porcine parvovirus virus strain NADL-2 (NC001718) available in GenBank (NC_001718), a pair of specific primer was designed, and the target fragment of 431 bp was obtained by P...According to VP2 gene sequence of the porcine parvovirus virus strain NADL-2 (NC001718) available in GenBank (NC_001718), a pair of specific primer was designed, and the target fragment of 431 bp was obtained by PCR amplification. The products were ligated with pMD18- T vector and then transformed into bacteria DH5α for recombinant plasmid extraction. After PCR identification and sequencing, recombinant plasmid was used as a standard template to establish the standard curve of SYBR Green I fluorescence quantitative PCR. Sensitivity test, specificity test and repeatability test were also determined. The results indicated that there was a good linear relationship between threshold cycle of the standard curve and template concentration, R2 =0.997 6. Tm ranged from 82.3 to 82.9 ℃, while the sensitivity was 72.1 copies/μl with good specificity and repeatability. The developed SYBR Green I real-time quantitative PCR method to detect PPV VP2 gene laid the basis for further studies on patho- oenesis, early clinical diaonosis of this virus and quantitative analysis of PPV infection.展开更多
To rapidly detect the harmful algae H.akashiwo qualitatively and quantitatively, sequences of the 18S rDNA deduced from H.akashiwo were used for designing species-specific primers, and a RFQ-PCR (Real-time Fluorescent...To rapidly detect the harmful algae H.akashiwo qualitatively and quantitatively, sequences of the 18S rDNA deduced from H.akashiwo were used for designing species-specific primers, and a RFQ-PCR (Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) method was developed for quantitative detection of H.akashiwo. Primer H.akashiwo and TaqMan probe were designed, and the specificity of primer was checked with PCR. A calibration curve was constructed with cycle threshold value against visual counted cell number. And the value of the curve was tested with other H.akashiwo samples, which were assayed with both the RFQ-PCR method and visual count under microscope.展开更多
Objective:To present an integrated molecular biology dedicated system for tuberculosis diagnosis.Methods:One hundred and five sputum specimens from patients strongly suspected by clinical parameters of tuberculosis we...Objective:To present an integrated molecular biology dedicated system for tuberculosis diagnosis.Methods:One hundred and five sputum specimens from patients strongly suspected by clinical parameters of tuberculosis were studied by Ziehl-Neelsen staining,by cultivation on solid medium and by a balanced hemincsted fluorometric PCR system(Orange C3TB) that could preserve worker safety and produce a rather pure material free of potential inhibitors. DNA amplification was performed in a low cost tuberculosis termocycler-fluorotneter.Produced double stranded DNA was flurometrically detected.The whole reaction was conducted in one single tube which would not be opened after adding the processed sample in order to minimize the risk of cross contamination with amplicons.Results:The assay was able to delect 30 bacillus per sample mL with 99.8%interassay variation coefficient.PCR was positive in 23(21.9%) tested samples(21 of them were smear negative).In our study it showed a preliminary sensitivity of 94.5%for sputum and an overall specificity of 98.7%.Conclusions:Total run time of the test is 4 h with 2.5 real working time.All PCR positive samples are also positive by microbiological culture and clinical criteria.Results show that it could be a very useful tool to increase detection efficiency of tuberculosis disease in low bacilus load samples.Furthermore,its low cost and friendly using make it feasible to run in poor regions.展开更多
Objective:The aim of this study was to detect the expression level of Metadherin (MTDH) in peripheral blood of the breast cancer patients by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR),and to e...Objective:The aim of this study was to detect the expression level of Metadherin (MTDH) in peripheral blood of the breast cancer patients by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR),and to explore the relationship between expression of Metadherin gene in the patients peripheral blood and the clinic-pathological features in breast cancer. Methods:Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the expression level of Metadherin gene in 80 peripheral blood samples of breast cancer patients and healthy donors. Results:The expression of Metadherin gene in breast cancer patients peripheral blood were positive,in which 34 breast cancer patients were highly expressed,accounting for 55.7%,while the expression of Metadherin gene in normal females peripheral blood were negative,there was statistical significance (Ratio = 2.02±0.81,P < 0.05); Ratio of the Metadherin expression in breast cancer patients peripheral blood and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase expression was 1.15 ± 0.36. REST software analysis showed that the expression of Metadherin gene was significantly up-regulated in breast cancer. Conclusion:The SYBR Green I quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method can successfully detect the expression level of Metadherin gene. Expression level of Metadherin gene in breast cancer patients peripheral blood is closely related to survival,and it maybe involved in the development of breast cancer and used as an indicator of prognosis.展开更多
Gene amplification is a common mechanism of oncogene activation and contributes to tumor progression. Analysis of such genetic alterations are relevant to the understanding of tumor genetics and could provide prognost...Gene amplification is a common mechanism of oncogene activation and contributes to tumor progression. Analysis of such genetic alterations are relevant to the understanding of tumor genetics and could provide prognostic information for the individual patient. Standard analytical approaches using Southern blot and slot blot require a large amount of good展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31260406)Natural Science Fund Project of Inner Mongolia(2012MS0502)~~
文摘Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) is a detection method by adding fluorescent dye or fluorescent probe into the PCR reaction system, using fluorescent signal accumulation to monitor amplification reactions of PCR reaction process, and finally the unknown template can be quantitatively analyzed through the standard curve. So the detection level of PCR has improved from the qualitative to the quantitative. In order to provide a theoretical reference for further application, the principle, classification, advantages and disadvantages of RQ-PCR were intro- duced, and its application and progress in plants in recent years were reviewed.
文摘The species distinctive PCR primer of Lactobacillus acidophilus ( L. acidophilus) was designed according to 16S rRNA gene sequences of conunon Lac- tobacillus species in fermented material. Bacterial genome DNA of separated L. acidophilus in fermented sample was taken as template, and L. acidophilus in fer- mented material was conducted the quantitative determination by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Analysis on RT-PCR results shown that contents of L. aci- dophilus in the test sample reached 1.5 billion CFU / g. Test results shown that contents of L. acidophilus in fermented material could be detected accurately by the established RT-PCR method in the test. indicating that the established RT-PCR method could be aookued to the detection of L. acidophilus in fermented material.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China ( 30800885,30871726)
文摘Real-Lime fluorescent quantitative PCR is a method for quantitative analysis of gene expression developed in recent years, which has been widely used in various fields such as basic scientific research, clinical diagnosis, disease study, drug research and development since its appearance. It starts relatively late in study on plants, but has already been used for analysis of gene expression in plants and gene identification of exogenous genes. The principles or advantages and dis- advantages of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, or its potential problems and condition optimizations in tests were introduced in this study, and then the appli- cation and prospect of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in study on plants were also been discussed.
基金funded by the Key Technologies R&D Program of Guangxi of China (0993009-1)
文摘[ Objective] To develop a real-time fluorescent PCR assay for rapid detection of Haempohlius parasuis (HPS). [ Method] According to the conservative sequences of 16 S rRNA genes of HPS published in GenBank, a pair of specific primers was designed. The real-time fluorescent PCR was developed by optimizing primer concentration and annealing temperature. And its specificity and reproducibility were evaluated. Ten HPS- suspected samples were detected by the developed method. [ Result] The lowest detection limit of the developed real-time fluorescent PCR was 50 copies/μl. This method had good reproducibility, and its coefficient of variation was lower than 2%. Only HPS rather than Streptococcus suis type 2, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli DH5 alpha, and swine Salmonella typhi could be detected by the developed real-time fluorescent PCR. The HPS-pesitive samples detected by this method were also positive when they were detected by isolation of bacteria or conventional PCR. [ Conclusion] The developed real-time fluorescent PCR is rapid, sensitive, specific and highly reproducible; thus, it can be used for rapid detection of HPS.
基金Supported by Scientific Research Project of Anhui Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision(13zj370033)
文摘Peanut,sesame and other raw materials of food are allergens for special populations.In this study,specific primers and TaqMan probes labeled by different fluorescences were designed targeting Ara h 2 gene of peanut and Ses i 1 gene of sesame.After the optimization of reaction conditions,a real-time fluorescent PCR method was established for simultaneous detection of allergenic ingredients of peanut and sesame in food.Genomic DNA samples of peanut,sesame,rice,wheat,barley,soybean,celery,maize,potato,tomato,walnut,groundnut in shell,cashew nut,sunflower seed,almond,apple,pear and strawberry,pork,beef,mutton and fish were used as templates for PCR amplification with deionized water as negative control template.Results indicated that the established real-time fluorescent PCR method could specifically identify allergenic ingredients of peanut and sesame simultaneously.Sensitivity test showed that the minimum detection limit of this method was 0.01%.Therefore,the established real-time fluorescent PCR method is a specific,sensitive and effective assay for simultaneously detecting allergenic ingredients of peanut and sesame in food.
基金Supported by Project of Standardization Technical System from the Administration of Quality and Technology Supervision of Sichuan Province(ZYBZ2013-39)
文摘In order to improve the standardized technical systems of quantitative analyses for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products, ensure bio-safety and reduce ecological risk in China, a real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was established for detection of genetically modified maize line MON88017. The established method was evaluated based on the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and measurement uncertainty. The results showed that the established method had strong specificity in detection of genetically modified maize line MON88017. 1.50% MON88017 sample was detected with 29 replica- tions. The average measured value ( 1. 541% ) was close to the actual value ( 1.50% ) and the relative deviation was 2.70%. The variation coefficient of the measured value was 0.110 g ; the recovery was 100.00% and the measurement uncertainty was 0. 096. The limit of detection for genetically modified maize line MON88017 with the established method was 5 copies at the 97.5% confidence level. Thus, the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay established in this study exhibited high specificity, accuracy and sensitivity, which could provide technical support for the safety supervision of genetically modified organ- isms and products in China.
基金This work was supported by grants from the Special Science and Technology Cooperation Project of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Key R&D Program(No.2018BFG02008)the National Science and Technology Key Projects on"Major Infectious Diseases such as HIV/AIDS,Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment"(No.2017ZX10103005).
文摘Summary:The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan,Hubei province of China in January 2020.This study aims to investigate the effects of different temperature and time durations of virus inactivation on the results of PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2.Twelve patients at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 were selected on February 13,2020 and throat swabs were taken.The swabs were stored at room tempcrature(20-25℃),then divided into aliquots and subjected to different temperature for different periods in order to inactivate the viruses(56℃for 30,45,60 min;65,70,80℃for 10,15,20 min).Control aliquots were stored at room temperature for 60 min.Then all aliquots were tested in a real-time fluorescence PCR using primers against SARS-CoV-2.Regardless of inactivation temperature and time,7 of 12 cases(58.3%)tested were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR,and cycle threshold values were similar.These results suggest that virus inactivation parameters exert minimal infuence on PCR test results.Inactivation at 65℃for 10 min may be sufficient to ensure safe,reliable testing.
基金Supported by Special Funds for Basic Scientific Research of Guangxi Sugarcane Research Institute(G2009006,G2010006,G2009015)Sci-tech Research and Development Program of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences(200805)
文摘This study was to develop the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technique for detecting the ratoon stunting disease (RSD) in virus-free seedcane seedlings. Healthy tissue culture seedlings were obtained from six plants of sugarcane ROC22, which had been confirmed RSD-positive by detecting the sugarcane juice, by employing the sugarcane seedlings production protocol. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect RSD pathogens in tissue culture sam- pies. The results showed that target fragment of RSD pathogens was not found in all 10 samples in real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, with the Ct values of 37 - 39. The healthy tissue culture sugarcane seedlings do not carry RSD pathogens, indicating that adopting healthy seedcane seedlings production technique could thoroughly get rid of RSD pathogens.
文摘According to VP2 gene sequence of the porcine parvovirus virus strain NADL-2 (NC001718) available in GenBank (NC_001718), a pair of specific primer was designed, and the target fragment of 431 bp was obtained by PCR amplification. The products were ligated with pMD18- T vector and then transformed into bacteria DH5α for recombinant plasmid extraction. After PCR identification and sequencing, recombinant plasmid was used as a standard template to establish the standard curve of SYBR Green I fluorescence quantitative PCR. Sensitivity test, specificity test and repeatability test were also determined. The results indicated that there was a good linear relationship between threshold cycle of the standard curve and template concentration, R2 =0.997 6. Tm ranged from 82.3 to 82.9 ℃, while the sensitivity was 72.1 copies/μl with good specificity and repeatability. The developed SYBR Green I real-time quantitative PCR method to detect PPV VP2 gene laid the basis for further studies on patho- oenesis, early clinical diaonosis of this virus and quantitative analysis of PPV infection.
文摘To rapidly detect the harmful algae H.akashiwo qualitatively and quantitatively, sequences of the 18S rDNA deduced from H.akashiwo were used for designing species-specific primers, and a RFQ-PCR (Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) method was developed for quantitative detection of H.akashiwo. Primer H.akashiwo and TaqMan probe were designed, and the specificity of primer was checked with PCR. A calibration curve was constructed with cycle threshold value against visual counted cell number. And the value of the curve was tested with other H.akashiwo samples, which were assayed with both the RFQ-PCR method and visual count under microscope.
文摘Objective:To present an integrated molecular biology dedicated system for tuberculosis diagnosis.Methods:One hundred and five sputum specimens from patients strongly suspected by clinical parameters of tuberculosis were studied by Ziehl-Neelsen staining,by cultivation on solid medium and by a balanced hemincsted fluorometric PCR system(Orange C3TB) that could preserve worker safety and produce a rather pure material free of potential inhibitors. DNA amplification was performed in a low cost tuberculosis termocycler-fluorotneter.Produced double stranded DNA was flurometrically detected.The whole reaction was conducted in one single tube which would not be opened after adding the processed sample in order to minimize the risk of cross contamination with amplicons.Results:The assay was able to delect 30 bacillus per sample mL with 99.8%interassay variation coefficient.PCR was positive in 23(21.9%) tested samples(21 of them were smear negative).In our study it showed a preliminary sensitivity of 94.5%for sputum and an overall specificity of 98.7%.Conclusions:Total run time of the test is 4 h with 2.5 real working time.All PCR positive samples are also positive by microbiological culture and clinical criteria.Results show that it could be a very useful tool to increase detection efficiency of tuberculosis disease in low bacilus load samples.Furthermore,its low cost and friendly using make it feasible to run in poor regions.
文摘Objective:The aim of this study was to detect the expression level of Metadherin (MTDH) in peripheral blood of the breast cancer patients by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR),and to explore the relationship between expression of Metadherin gene in the patients peripheral blood and the clinic-pathological features in breast cancer. Methods:Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the expression level of Metadherin gene in 80 peripheral blood samples of breast cancer patients and healthy donors. Results:The expression of Metadherin gene in breast cancer patients peripheral blood were positive,in which 34 breast cancer patients were highly expressed,accounting for 55.7%,while the expression of Metadherin gene in normal females peripheral blood were negative,there was statistical significance (Ratio = 2.02±0.81,P < 0.05); Ratio of the Metadherin expression in breast cancer patients peripheral blood and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase expression was 1.15 ± 0.36. REST software analysis showed that the expression of Metadherin gene was significantly up-regulated in breast cancer. Conclusion:The SYBR Green I quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method can successfully detect the expression level of Metadherin gene. Expression level of Metadherin gene in breast cancer patients peripheral blood is closely related to survival,and it maybe involved in the development of breast cancer and used as an indicator of prognosis.
文摘Gene amplification is a common mechanism of oncogene activation and contributes to tumor progression. Analysis of such genetic alterations are relevant to the understanding of tumor genetics and could provide prognostic information for the individual patient. Standard analytical approaches using Southern blot and slot blot require a large amount of good