Genotyping of genetic polymorphisms is widely used in clinical molecular laboratories to confirm or predict diseases due to single locus mutations. In contrast, very few molecular methods determine the phase or haplotype of two or more mutations that are kilobases apart. In this report, we describe a new method for haplotyping based on long-range allelespecific PCR. Reaction conditions were established to circumvent the incompatibility of using allele-specific primers and a polymerase with proofreading activity. Detection of locus single mutations affecting gene function has been very successful in providing molecular diagnostics for human genetic diseases. In contrast, detection of two or more mutations on the same gene and determination of their phase (or haplotype) is more challenging. Advances in the field of human genome mapping, 1 the search for complex disease determinants, 2 pharmacogenomics, 3 and accumulation of data from mutation screening programs 4 underline the need to develop additional molecular haplotyping methods. Current technologies require physical separation of chromosomes or cloning or are limited to analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) present in the range of 1 kilobase (kb). [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] One recent exception is the development of a long-range molecular technique using a twostep PCR/ligation procedure. 15 Here we describe an assay that uses long-range allele-specific amplification to haplotype two mutations separated by 17.7 kb in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene.The CFTR gene encodes a chloride channel and mutations in this gene are responsible for classic cystic fibrosis (CF) and atypical forms of the disease. Two of these mutations, R117H in exon 4 and the 5T polymorphism of the polythymidine tract in intron 8 (IVS-8 5T polymorphism) have a phenotypic synergic effect. The mutation R117H which accounts for approximately 0.8% of mutant alleles, changes an arginine to an histidine in a transmembrane domain of the protein, altering the conductance of the ion channel. 16 The IVS-8 polymorphism affects the splicing efficiency of intron 8. 17,18 A tract of 7T or 9T at the 3Ј end of intron 8 insures proper splicing of the intron while a 5T results in a majority of mRNA lacking exon 9. 19 -22 Each mutation is independently considered mild because in both cases, residual activity of the ion channel remains. Therefore, an individual carrying the R117H mutation and the IVS-8 5T polymorphism on two different chromosomes (in trans) is not affected by, nor considered a carrier of classic CF 23 although this individual might present with atypical CF. In contrast, a gene with both R117H and IVS-8 5T (in cis) is severely affected. 24 Both R117H and the IVS-8 5T variants have been found at higher frequencies in individuals with atypical CF than in the normal population. 22,[25][26][27] If an individual is heterozygous for both R117H and the IVS-8 5T variant, it is necessary to establish if both mutations are in cis or in trans to correctly analy...