User guide

HbVar-XPRbase is designed to work with all modern browsers on any platform. It has been tested to work on both Internet Explorer 6 and Mozilla 1.2 for the PC.

The HbVar-XPRbase is a repository of experimental protocols for mutation screening in the human globin genes. This database is a useful supplementary tool to the main HbVar database of human hemoglobin variants and thalassemia mutations, which is maintained at Penn State University.

In the "Protocols" page, the user can select a globin gene, to search for the available experimental protocols. Alternatively, the user can select an experimental protocol directly without selecting for a gene. In this case, the query returns the available protocols for all the globin genes. By selecting one of them, the user is re-directed to a new window, where all the technical details pertaining the selected technique (e.g. primer seqeunces, amplification conditions, etc) can be found, together with the respective reference, hyperlinked to PubMed.

Finally, for questions, remarks, comments or any assistance, the contact information of everyone involved in this effort is provided.

Genes Official Nomenclature:

Alpha-globin genes: HBA1 (OMIM 141800) and HBA2 (OMIM 141850)
Beta-globin gene: HBB (OMIM 141900)
Gamma-globin genes: HBG1 (OMIM 142200) and HBG2 (OMIM 142250)
Delta-globin gene: HBD (OMIM 142000)
Epsilon-globin gene: HBE1 (OMIM 142100)

Abbreviations:

PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction
DHPLC: Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography
DGGE: Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
DG-DGGE: Double-gradient Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
ARMS: Amplification Refractory Mutation System
ASO: Allele-Specific Oligonucleotides (Hybridization)
SSCP: Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (Analysis)