Abnormal hemoglobins: Laboratory methods

Laboratory methods allowing the detection and characterization of hemoglobi n variants are reviewed. Protein chemistry techniques such as isoelectrofoc using, electrophoreses under various experimental conditions, cation exchan ge and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography, are the most frequently used for the detection of variants. When associated with a few a dditional data they may lead to a presumptive diagnosis. DNA. studies are a lso developed in many laboratories. Final identification of a variant may b e achieved either by molecular biology techniques or by protein sequence an alysis in which mass spectrometry now occupies a key position.