Utilizing unique combinations of nucleic acid hybridization, PCR and flow-cytometry, our methods are expected to complement, and in many instances supersede, the more complicated, less direct and less cost-effective traditional methods currently applied for detection of gene-rearrangements, translocations, and mutations. The technology allows large scale screening of leukemias and various types of cancers in which certain gene rearrangements due to chromosome translocations, or mutations, deletions are the causative factors of the altered biological functions. The technology offered herein renders gene rearrangements and mutations, deletions detectible, simultaneously within several genes.

Detection of gene-rearrangements, and mutations

A gene region carrying a mutation or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or deletion/insertion and a control DNA sample are amplified using appropriate biotin-labeled and fluorescent primers. The two products are processed, bound to microbeads and measured by flow-cytometry.