Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software

QIAGEN's Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software is a powerful tool for the analysis of high-resolution melting (HRM) data generated on the Rotor-Gene Q or Rotor-Gene 6000 cycler. By grouping samples into clusters, the software supports applications such as genotyping and mutation screening, and it provides an innovative mathematical approach to HRM analysis along with robust statistics for classifying and interpreting results with minimal effort and standardized processes.

The software enables identification of even difficult class IV A/T SNPs, which can exhibit melting temperature differences as low as 0.1°C. It offers two operating modes: a supervised mode for highly accurate genotype identification, where the user assigns one or more control samples per cluster and the software auto-classifies unknowns, and an unsupervised mode for automatic detection of new mutations, where the software calculates the optimum number of clusters itself. Results are displayed as easy-to-interpret cluster plots accompanied by statistical probabilities and typicalities, and all data and graphs can be exported in JPG, PDF, CSV, or XLS file formats and are summarized in an experimental report.

Analysis is performed in four guided steps: normalization of raw data by curve scaling, generation of a residual plot relative to a composite median curve, extraction of sample characteristics by principal component analysis, and creation of a cluster plot. The software is the first to apply principal component analysis to HRM data. It is delivered on a software CD together with a user guide.