Development of a genetic test for detection of polymorphism of human epidermal receptor-2 (HER-2) gene / Nur Saeidah Ibrahim

The aim of this study is to develop a genetic test using specific primers to defect the polymorphism of the Human Epidermal Receptor (HER-2) gene. PCR is used to amplify a specific region of DNA in order to produce a large number of nearly identical copies. The method uses a heat stable DNA replication enzyme called a DNA polymerase, the four deoxynucleotide building blocks of DNA and two small single-stranded DNA segments called primers. Polymerase Chain Reaction using first set of primers was done to amplify the specific sequence of HER-2 gene while the second set of primers was used to amplify the allele specific polymorphism site of HER-2 gene. Both have different fragment size. The PCR products were analyzed using the gel electrophoresis to determine the DNA fragment produced. The bands are observed via gel imaging using the ultra violet (UV) light. The required bands were compared to the standard ladder or marker with known fragment size. Result showed one band indicate homozygous while two bands indicate heterozygous gene. However, for further confirmation, the product that was obtained in this study should be sent for sequencing.