Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) colorimetric phenol red assay for rapid identification of α0-thalassemia: Application to population screening and prenatal diagnosis.

The LAMP colorimetric assays developed are simple, rapid, and do not require sophisticated equipment. Inclusion of the LAMP tests in the existing screening protocol significantly reduce the screening cost and the molecular analysis workload, which should prove useful in the prevention and control program of hemoglobinopathies in the region.