Corneal dystrophy

Currently the test can be used for screening of 297 mutations in different genes: COL8A2, TGFBI, VSX1, CHST6, KRT3, KRT12, GSN, TACSTD2, CYP4V2, SOD1, TCF8/ZEB1, SLC4A11. Genetic variations in the 12 listed genes have been associated with several corneal dystrophies, which are linked to epithelium, stroma and endothelium.

Development of the chip has been performed in collaboration with Columbia University.  

  


Wild type and heterozygous nucleotide change C>T in position 1724 of COL8A2 gene analysed by APEX. The signals corresponding to T in the sense strand and A in the antisense strand are indicative for mutation. The mutation causes amino acid change P575L.

Requirements for the DNA samples

• DNA quality needs to be ensured (an agarose-gel image from the high molecular weight DNA should be provided with the DNA samples)
• 2,6 mg of genomic DNA is required for Corneal dystrophy chip analysis 
• Preferred concentration range of the DNA is 100-250 ng/ul 
• DNA samples should be provided in pure sterile water 

DNA sample submitting 

• For speedy and secure delivery, international courier services, for example DHL, UPS and FedEx, are recommended; alternatively, you can send samples by air mail as a small parcel. 

• Since high quality DNA samples are stable, there is no need for shipment on dry or wet ice.
  Care should be taken to avoid drying out; please use either screw cap tubes or wrap the caps of each Eppendorf tube with parafilm. 

• In order to avoid damage to the tubes during shipment, a tube storage box made of plastic or cardboard, and doubling it with a padded envelope, is recommended. Please avoid using round containers, such as 50 ml Corning tubes, for tube protection. 

• Send samples to the following address:
         Asper Biotech
         Oru 3
         Tartu 51014
         Estonia
         Ph: +372 7 441 556 

• Please fill in the DNA sample submission form, which improves and accelerates the handling of DNA samples submitted to Asper and include it in the package as you ship samples. Download the form in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. 

• Notify us by email (info@asperophthalmics.com, or the respective project manager), including the number of samples, which test is to be performed, and shipment tracking data).

• Enclose in the package the list of samples, which test is to be performed and DNA quality data, if available. 

• Please make sure that the declared value for the package in the shipment documents does not exceed 10 EUR (USD).

Additional services

Additional verification by DNA Sequencing
To confirm the results with secondary method, Asper provides verification of the APEX findings by dideoxy sequencing. Sequencing will be performed under strict quality control regulations by professionally trained personnel on Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyzer.
Hard copies of the reports on official blank
Asper can provide the formatted results on company’s official letter blank upon request. The hard copy will be signed and sealed by head of the lab and sent out by registered mail. 
Storage of DNA samples at Asper's DNA bank
Asper always performs the screening with as limited amount of DNA as possible. If there will be enough remained DNA; it can be storaged in Asper’s DNA bank. The DNA can be used for further analysis by other tests or just for re-screening. The amount of remained DNA will be measured and report will be sent to partner. The data of DNA samples will be recorded in our laboratory information system and stored under strict quality controlled manner. 
Returning of DNA samples
The remained DNA can be also sent back to partners either by regular mail or by courier.

Turnaround Time

Express delivery – The results will be delivered in 3 – 5  working days after the arrival of samples. Please note that the cost of the express delivery differs from the standard delivery. 
Standard delivery – The results will be delivered approximately in 3 – 6 weeks after the arrival of samples.

For further information

1. Please contact info@asperophthalmics.com
2. Corneal dystrophy testing (pdf, 117 kb)
3. Payment details