The power of SALSA Melt Assays in genetic diagnostics

We know time is critical in clinical genetic settings. SALSA Melt Assays keep time in mind, from easy lab integration, running on most melt-curve capable thermocyclers, to fast sample preparation and assay completion, to get you answers as quickly as possible.

SALSA Melt Assays use a single PCR primer pair to generate amplicons that include the variant of interest. A fluorescently labelled oligonucleotide probe then binds to the amplicon in the region of the variant. Depending on the variant present, a probe will form a perfect or imperfect double-stranded amplicon–probe hybrid with a different melt temperature. Differing melt temperatures allow for variant identification.

SALSA Melt Assay Demosheet (pdf)

SALSA Melt Assay SMA Newborn Screen

SALSA MC002 SMA Newborn Screen detects the single clinically relevant nucleotide difference between SMN1 and SMN2 to identify 95-98% of SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) patients in a fast and affordable way. The assay identifies the exon 7 presence of both SMN1 and SMN2 in DNA from dried blood spot (DBS) cards crude extracts or peripheral blood, and has the added advantage that carriers are not identified.

Newborn Screening – Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Brochure (pdf) This brochure explains why neonatal screening for SMA is useful, and what products from MRC Holland can be used for this purpose.

Read more about newborn screening for SMA