What is Strip assay technique?
The strip assay technique was initially devised by F. Bonhoeffer and his colleagues in the latter part of the 1980s with the aim of investigating the fundamental axonal conduction mechanisms that govern the establishment of the topographic map within the retino-tectal system of the chick. Through the utilization of this methodology, it was revealed that there exists a graded distribution of repulsive axon guidance signs, predominantly localized in the posterior tectal membranes. Subsequently, the strip assay technique has been employed to elucidate the signs and mechanisms underlying numerous significant neural projections, encompassing the hippocampus, thalamus and smell systems. generally, this technique is grounded upon the principles of reverse hybridization technology, where immobilized probes are implemented to identify wild type and mutant alleles on a test strip.
In general, the strip assay technique belongs to the category of reverse blot hybridization (REBA) or reverse dot-blot. In REBA, specific probes are affixed to a plate or strip to target specific sequences or alleles of the genome, which is then exposed to the extracted genome. There exist various types of REBA molecular techniques that enable the simultaneous examination of multiple alleles.
Conversely, the reverse dot-blot method serves as a straightforward and fast diagnostic tool, allowing for the screening of a sample for a diverse range of mutations or polymorphisms in a single hybridization reaction. The reverse dot blot method is a simple and rapid diagnostic method that allows the screening of a sample for a variety of mutations/polymorphisms in a single hybridization reaction. Presently, multiple articles have been published on the utilization of the Reverse Hybridization Strip Assay technique in diagnosing various diseases, including alpha and beta thalassemia.
The steps of strip assay test
- Step 1: The initial procedure involves the extraction of genomic DNA from various sources such as body fluids, tissues or cells.
- Step 2: amplification of fragments via the employment of the multiplex PCR method in order to target specific sequences within the DNA. Simultaneously, biotin is utilized for labeling purposes.
- Step 3: precise hybridization of specific sequences on the Strip Assay.
- Step 4: In the subsequent phase, the hybridized sequences carrying the desired types are easily and clearly detected and identified. This is achieved through the utilization of alkaline phosphatase conjugated with streptavidin.
- Step 5: Interpret the available results.
Strip assay advantages
- rapid, cost-effective and simple method
- High accuracy and efficiency in genetic diagnosis tests
- The possibility of simultaneous investigation of several target sequences simultaneously in single reaction
- No need for cell culture
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4993221/
https://www.nature.com/articles/nprot.2007.157
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/102453310X12583347010214
https://sci-hub.st/10.1007/978-1-62703-444-9_22
