High-throughput assessment of FMR1 and SNRPN methylation-based newborn screening using IsoPure and QIAcube HT systems

Abstract

Aim: This study compared methylation-specific quantitative melt analysis of FMR1 and SNRPN methylation (mDNA) using automated bisulfite conversion by the magnetic-bead-based IsoPure and column-based QIAcube HT systems. Methods: Two bisulfite conversion methods were assessed on 3.2 mm punches from the same archival blood spots stored at room temperature for >10 years of individuals with FMR1 premutation (n = 20), fragile X syndrome (FXS, n = 20), or chromosome 15 imprinting disorders (n = 50) and freshly made blood spots from 184 newborns from the general population. Performance criteria were: (i) diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the conditions screened; (ii) reaction failure rate; ..