The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a very gene-dense region of the human genome found on the short arm of chromosome 6. The region spans about 4 Mb and contains 224 genes and pseudogenes. Approximately 40% of the genes in this region play important roles in the immune system, including the most polymorphic loci identified in the human genome, the HLA class I and II genes. Many of these polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with either increased or decreased susceptibility to a range of auto-immune, infectious and cancer diseases, including multiple sclerosis, some forms of arthritis and diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.

deCODE has developed a very high-density MHC specific marker set of polymorphic microsatellite markers which allow you to fine map regions of specific disease associations within the MHC region. A subset of the markers is arranged into a multiplex set that enables you to cost-effectively scan the whole MHC region.

Contact genotyping@decode.com for more information.