A new technique in cheap genome-based disease prediction
February 18th, 2010 Posted in NewsA cheap and rapid technique to scan a person’s genome for disease risks may become available within months, following new research at the University of Edinburgh. Knowledge of the genetic mutations that are associated with heritable diseases is rapidly accumulating, but employing this information to assess a person’s risk has remained prohibitively expensive, until now.
The new method works by identifying sites in the genome that are potentially informative in predicting risk and it could be applied for a wide range of diseases. Traditionally, enzyme-based processes have dominated the DNA analysis industry; however the proposed method depends upon a faster and cheaper chemical analysis that could lead the way to wider use, and even public access.
Dr Juan Diaz-Mochon of the University’s School of Chemistry led the research, and he has targeted the long standing goal of analysing a complete genome from a drop of saliva in just a few hours and for under $1000.
This could be an important step in the much anticipated arrival of personalised genomic medicine. Professor Mark Bradley, another scientist involved in the study, said: “We plan to test the technology further, extend our collaborations with leading researchers and companies in the DNA sequencing field and establish our first commercial operations within the next six months.”
- Gib Hemani
