title: Review on screening and analysis techniques for hemoglobin variants and thalassemia.
abstract: Thalassemia involves gene mutation that causes the production of an insufficient amount of normal structure globin chains while Hb variant involves gene mutation that causes the change in type or number of amino acid of the globin chain. It has been reported that some 200 million people worldwide had hemoglobinopathies of some sort. Attempts to develop effective and economical techniques for screening and analysis of thalassemia and Hb variants have become very important. In this review, we report the different techniques available, ranging from initial screening to extensive analysis, comparing advantages and disadvantages. Some indirect studies related to thalassemia indication and treatment follow-up are also included. We hope that information on these various techniques would be useful for some scientists who are working on development of a new technique or improving the existing ones.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supaporn Kradtap
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hartwell
authors.forename: Boonraksa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Srisawang
authors.forename: Prachya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kongtawelert
authors.forename: Gary D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grudpan