This article summarizes experience and data obtained using a previously developed reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method (J.B. Shelton, J.R. Shelton and W.A. Schroeder, J. Liq. Chromatogr. 7 (1984) 1969) in the study of a number of hemoglobinopathies in the Sardinian population. The occurrence and incidence of several abnormal hemoglobins are described, as well as aspects of the expression of abnormal gamma-globin gene arrangements and thalassemic genes.