A colorimetric method for detection of K-ras codon 12 point mutations in DNA extracted from tissue and peripheral blood in pancreatic disorders.

Molecular-based methods to monitor point mutations require special and expensive equipment unavailable in most hospitals. Colorimetric-based analysis is an ideal platform for K-ras codon 12 gene point mutations because it uses commonly found hospital equipment. The colorimetric assay is sensitive and specific, detecting mutated DNA levels as low as 1% in a wild-type background.