HLA typing in organ transplant part 9

Previously, HLA typing was done by two methods: serologic method using antiserum and mixed lymphocyte culture. After that a more precise DNA-based HLA typing methods using molecular techniques, such as sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization, sequence-specific primer amplification, sequence-based typing, and reference strand-based conformation analysis, have  been developed and are frequently used. In 2013, a new project of the 16IHIW demonstrated the potential benefits of next-generation sequencing  in the HLA laboratory. Next-generation sequencing may resolve the issue through the combination  of clonal amplification which provides phase information, and the ability to sequence larger regions of genes, including introns, without the additional effort or cost associated with current methods. Another simplified method using short tandem repeat  genotyping provided additional information allowing determination of the extent of HLA identity in families where HLA haplotype inheritance was ambiguous, due to extensive homozygosity or shared parental haplotypes. The HLA  short tandem repeat assay is a reliable and rapid test that used inexpensively screen potential sibling donors for HLA identity.