Microfluidic whole genome haplotyping 1

Microfluidic whole genome haplotyping

Microfluidic whole genome haplotyping is a technique for the physical separation of individual chromosomes from a
metaphase cell followed by direct resolution of the haplotype for each allele.

Background

Whole genome haplotyping

Whole genome haplotyping is the process of resolving personal haplotypes on a whole genome basis.[1] Current
methods of next generation sequencing are capable of identifying heterozygous loci, but they are not well suited to
identify which polymorphisms exist on the same (in cis) or allelic (in trans) strand of DNA. Haplotype information
contributes to the understanding of the potential functional effects of variants in cis or in trans. Haplotypes are more
frequently resolved by inference through comparison with parental genotypes, or from population samples using
statistical computational methods to determine linkage disequilibrium between markers. Direct haplotyping is
possible through isolation of chromosomes or chromosome segments. Most molecular biology techniques for
haplotyping can accurately determine haplotypes of only a limited region of the genome. Whole genome direct
haplotyping involves the resolution of haplotype at the whole genome level, usually through the isolation of
individual chromosomes.

Haplotype
A haplotype (haplo: from Ancient Greek ἁπλόος (haplóos, “single, simple”) is a contiguous section of closely linked
segments of DNA within the larger genome that tend to be inherited together as a unit on a single chromosome.
Haplotypes have no defined size and can refer to anything from a few closely linked loci up to an entire
chromosome. The term is also used to describe groups of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are
statistically associated. Most of the knowledge of SNP association comes from the effort of the International
HapMap Project, which has proved itself a powerful resource in the development of a publicly accessible database of
human genetic variation.

Phasing
Phasing is the process of identifying the individual complement of homologous chromosomes. Methods for phasing
include pedigree analysis, allele-specific PCR, linkage emulsion PCR haplotype analysis,[2] polony PCR,[3] sperm
typing, bacterial artificial chromosome cloning, construction of somatic cell hybrids, atomic force microscopy,
among others. Haplotype phasing can also be achieved through computational inference methods.

Microfluidics
Microfluidics refers to the use of micro-sized channels on a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS).[4]
Microfluidic channels have a diameter of 10-100μm, making it possible to manipulate and analyze minute volumes.
This technology combines engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and optics. Over the past decades it has
revolutionized micro and nanoscale biology, genetics and proteomics. Microfluidic devices can combine several
analytical steps into one device. This technology has been coined by some as the "lab on a chip" technology. Most
current molecular biology methods use some form of MEMS, including microarray technology and next generation
sequencing instruments.
Microfluidic whole genome haplotyping 2

Microfluidic direct deterministic phasing

Principle
Direct deterministic phasing of individual chromosomes can be achieved by isolating single chromosomes for
genetic analysis through the use of a microfluidic device.[5]

Methods
A single metaphase cell is isolated from
solution. The chromosomes are then
released from the nucleus, and the
cytoplasm is digested enzymatically.
Next, the chromosome suspension is
directed towards multiple partitioning
channels. The chromosomes are
physically directed into the partitioning
channels using a series of valves. In the
first description of this technique, Fan et
al. designed a custom-made program
(MatLab) to control this process. Once
separated, the chromosomes are prepared
for amplification by sequential addition
and washout of trypsin, denaturation
buffer and neutralization solution. The
DNA is then ready for further processing.
Because of the small amount of DNA,
amplification needs to be performed using
kits specialized for very small initial
DNA quantities. The amplified DNA is
flushed out of the microfluidic device and
solubilized by the addition of a buffer.
Workflow of microfluidic whole genome chromosome isolation and amplification.
The amplified DNA can now be analyzed Not at scale
by various methods.

Once the chromosomes have been isolated and amplified any molecular haplotyping can be applied as long as the
chromosomes remain distinct. This could be accomplished by keeping them physically separated, or identifying each
sample by genotyping. Once each chromosome has been identified each pair of homologs can be assorted into one of
two haploid genomes.
Microfluidic whole genome haplotyping 3

Applications
Microfluidic direct deterministic phasing allows all the chromosomes to be isolated in the same experiment. This
unique feature suggests possible applications within clinical, research and personal genomics realms. Some of the
possible clinical applications for this technique include phasing of multiple mutations when parental samples are
unavailable, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis and in the characterization of cancer cells.
Whole genome haplotyping through microfluidics will increase the rate of discovery within the HapMap project, and
provides an opportunity for corroboration and error detection within the existing database. It will further inform
genetic association studies.
As methods for amplification of small amounts of DNA improve, single chromosome sequencing is possible using
microfluidics to separate each individual chromosome. A cost-effective approach may be to barcode each individual
chromosome and perform parallel resequencing of the entire individual genome. The amplification of each
chromosome separately also provides a mechanism to potentially fill in some of the gaps that remain in the human
reference genome. Single chromosome sequencing will allow for unmapped sequences to be associated with a single
chromosome. Additionally, single chromosome sequencing will be more accurate in the identification of copy
number variants and repetitive sequences.

Limitations
As of January 2011, only one publication has described use of this technique.[6] The scientific commons awaits
further validation of this method and its efficacy in isolating and amplifying analyzable amounts of DNA. While this
method does streamline the process of chromosome isolation, certain parts in the process – such as the initial
isolation of a metaphase cell – remain difficult and labour intensive. Other automated techniques for metaphase cell
separation would improve throughput. In addition, this method is only applicable to cells in metaphase, which
inherently limits the technique to cell types and tissues that undergo mitosis. Single cell analysis does not account for
the possibility of mosaicism; therefore, applications in cancer diagnosis and research would necessarily require
processing of multiple cells. Finally, since this entire process is based on amplification from a single cell, the
accuracy of any genetic analysis is limited to the ability of commercially available platforms to produce sufficient
amounts of unbiased and error free amplicon.

Alternative methods of whole genome haplotyping

Chromosome microdissection
Chromosome microdissection is another process for isolating single chromosomes for genetic analysis. As with the
above technique microdissection begins with metaphase cells. The nucleus is lysed mechanically on a glass slide and
part of the genetic material is partitioned under microscope. The actual microdissection of genetic material was
initially accomplished through the careful use of a fine needle. Today computer-directed lasers are available. The
genomic area isolated can range from part of a single chromosome, up to several chromosomes. To accomplish
whole genome haplotyping the microdissected genomic section is amplified and genotyped or sequenced. Like with
the microfluidic technique, specialized amplification platforms are necessary to address the problem of a small initial
DNA sample. [7] [8] [9]
Microfluidic whole genome haplotyping 4

Large insert cloning

Randomly partitioning a complete diploid fosmid library into various pools of equal size presents an alternative
method for haplotype phasing. In the proof of principle description of this technique[10] 115 pools were created
containing ~5000 unique clones from the original fosmid library. Each of these pools contained roughly 3% of the
genome. Between the 3% in each pool and the fact that each clone is a random sampling of the diploid genome,
99.1% of the time each pool contains DNA from a single homolog. Amplification and analysis of each pool provide
haplotype resolution limited only by the size of the fosmid insert.

References
[1] The next phase in human genetics. Bansal V. et al. Nat Biotechnol. 2011 Jan;29(1):38-9.
[2] Linking emulsion PCR haplotype analysis. Wetmur JG, Chen J. Methods Mol Biol. 2011;687:165-75. PMID: 20967607
[3] Long-range polony haplotyping of individual human chromosome molecules. Zhang K, et al. Nat. Genet. 2006;38:382–87
[4] microfluidics for biological applications. Finehout E, Tian WC. Springer US. 2009.
[5] Whole-genome molecular haplotyping of single cells. Fan HC et al. Nat Biotechnol. 2011
[6] Whole-genome molecular haplotyping of single cells. Fan HC et al. Nat Biotechnol. 2011
[7] Whole Genome Amplification from Microdissected Chromosomes. M. Hockner et al. Cytogenetic and Genome research 2009; 125: 98-102
[8] Direct determination of molecular haplotypes by chromosome microdissection. L. Ma et al. Nature Methods vol. 7 no. 4 299-301.
[9] Chromosome-specific segmentation revealed by structural analysis of individually isolated chromosomes. K. Kitada et al. Genes,
Chromosomes and Cancer, 50(4): 217–227, April 2011
[10] Haplotype-resolved genome sequencing of a Gujarati Indian individual. J.O. Kitzman et al. Nature Biotechnology vol 29 no 1 59-63

External links
International HapMap Project Web Site (http://hapmap.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/The)
http://www.phgfoundation.org/news/7134/
Article Sources and Contributors 5

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