MRC Holland supplies three types of artificially made DNA samples: SALSA^® Binning DNA, SALSA^® Reference Selection DNA, and SALSA^® Artificial Duplication DNA. These are collectively referred to as Sample DNAs, or SDs, but each type has a distinct purpose.

Binning DNA can help with correct peak assignment by analysis software such as Coffalyser.Net. Some probemixes contain mutation-specific probes that do not have a signal in the majority of samples, which can lead to issues with peak assignment. Binning DNA does have a signal for such probes, which allows you to create a suitable bin set. Binning DNA is artificial, and should never be used as reference sample. A small amount of binning DNA is always supplied with the corresponding probemix, but it can also be ordered separately. 

Reference Selection DNA is intended to help identify suitable reference samples that contain the expected allele copy number. This can be useful for probemixes that target regions with a lot of natural variation, which can make it difficult to select reference samples with a ‘normal’ copy number. Reference Selection DNA should not be used as a reference sample, unless stated otherwise in the relevant product documentation. A vial of Reference Selection DNA is sometimes supplied with the corresponding probemix, but should sometimes be ordered separately (see the relevant product documentation).

Artificial Duplication DNA contains artificially-made duplications for one or more probes in a specific probemix, and is intended as positive control for validation purposes. The only available Artificial Duplication DNA is SD024, which can be used for several BRCA1 and BRCA2 probemixes. Artificial Duplication DNA is not supplied with orders of the corresponding probemix, and must be ordered separately. The use of your own positive control samples is recommended if possible. You can also check this article for a list of commercially available samples with aberrations confirmed by us.