Molecular genetic applications of streptavidin-coated manifold supports

Practical problems of handling large numbers of samples limit the applicati on of molecular genetic procedures in clinical settings and in research. In the present review we describe a multipronged manifold support, coated wit h streptavidin, that offers distinct advantages in preparative and diagnost ic applications. In order to increase the surface available on the manifold , porous Sepharose particles conjugated with streptavidin were attached to the plastic support. This procedure increased the surface by almost three o rders of magnitude, permitting sufficient streptavidin to be coupled to the support for most routine applications. The manifold supports have been use d for sample preparation and in a number of genetic assays, including allel e discrimination assays and DNA sequencing. In all these assay formats the manifold supports allow large numbers of samples to be processed in paralle l. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.