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SBTengine®, THE ULTIMATE HLA SBT TYPING SOFTWARE.
Erik H. Rozemuller, Dr, Roel A. de Weger, Dr, Wietse Mulder, Dr and Marcel G.J. Tilanus, Dr. Utrecht Netherlands, UMC Utrecht, 3805GA, Pathology and Utrecht Netherlands, Genome Diagnostics, 3508GA.

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Sequence based typing (SBT) is the golden standard in HLA-typing. The most time consuming and error prone part of SBT is data-analysis. We improved our software package which now combines all sequences of one sample to a conclusive HLA-typing. This includes the assembly of sequences from different regions (e.g. exon 2 and 3 for class I), the heterozygous sequences as well as those obtained after allele separation (GSAP, GSSP) and, when available, sequences of additional regions (e.g. exon 4 and introns). All sequence information available will be used to its full extend. Independent of the equipment used, all sequences can be processed.
SBTengine also will guide through the typing process: in case of ambiguities, it will report which GSAP or GSSP reactions can be used to resolve the ambiguities.
Analysis is highly automated: typings will be performed automatically; only when base calling cannot be determined with high reliability, the sequences have to be inspected manually. In case of uncertainties, multi-sequence analysis will assist in obtaining the correct base call, making use of the high reproducibility of sequence patterns, which are recognized by the software.
SBTengine also contains export functions, which will create an xml output file, containing all relevant SBT information, including allele assignment and the sequences. These files can easily be used to import the data into local databases, for data exchange, and for direct submission of SBT data to the workshop.