Identification of MHC--molecular biology

Many of the molecular methods currently in use in the histocompatibility laboratory have been described. The use of a specific technique will depend on the laboratory's requirements. Obviously those laboratories involved in cadaver transplantation will use techniques suitable for single sample analysis which give results within six hours. Other laboratories dealing with large numbers of samples will use techniques which favour batch analysis. Some laboratories, depending on their needs, may use a combination of methods. All techniques are being continually updated to allow for the detection of newly discovered alleles.