Findings from Hanoi Medical University Provide New Insights into Thalassemia [Application of short tandem repeats (STRs) in the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of a-thalassemia].

A study conducted by Hanoi Medical University focused on the use of short tandem repeats (STRs) in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for a-thalassemia, an autosomal recessive blood disorder. The study aimed to help couples at risk of having a child with a-thalassemia by facilitating the birth of healthy children. The researchers analyzed the DNA of 89 couples and their family members and carried out 91 cycles of PGD. The study found that the use of STR markers in PGD resulted in the birth of 36 healthy children and 17 ongoing pregnancies, demonstrating the feasibility and credibility of this method. [Extracted from the article]