METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING THE GENOTYPE AND SUBTYPE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS ON A BIOLOGICAL MICROCHIP

摘要

The invention relates to molecular biology, virology and medicine and provides a method for identifying the genotype and subtype of a hepatitis C (HCV) virus by analysing the NS5b area of the HCV genome using a differentiating biochip. The inventive method is based on a two-step PCR and consists in producing the fluorescently-marked, preferably single-chain, fragment of the NS5b area and in subsequently hybridising said fragment on the biochip containing a set of specific discriminating oligonucleotides. The genotype and subtype of the hepatitis C (HCV) virus are identified by determining the specific sequences of the segments of the NS5b area fragment. The invention makes it possible to carry out an analysis directly on clinical samples, to determine 6 genotypes and 36 subtypes of HCV, including the most virulent and drug-resistant forms and to reduce the analysis cost. A biochip and a method for designing and grouping oligonucleotide probes used for carrying out said method are also disclosed.