DNA machine can sequence human genomes in hours

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/17/dna-machine-human-sequencing


The MinION, a tiny DNA sequencing machine made by a firm spun out of Oxford University. Photograph: Nigel Chapman

A UK firm spun out from Oxford University has come up with a DNA sequencing machine the size of a USB memory stick, a move that is set to revolutionise the industry.

Privately owned Oxford Nanopore, which was spun out of Oxford University in 2005, on Friday presented at a conference in Florida two new generation machines that can do the same job as current mainframe-sized devices, and can decode the building blocks of life within hours rather than days.

The technology could be used in the field to do on-the-spot tests and sequencing of rapidly mutating infectious diseases like HIV and malaria to work out how to treat them, as well as prenatal screening for genetic defects and screening for genetic mutations of plants. The firm expects major agricultural companies like BASF and Monsanto to be interested.

Oxford Nanopore has spent the last three years developing the machines in secrecy in collaboration with scientists at Harvard and University of California Santa Cruz. The devices are based on DNA "strand sequencing", and could be launched as soon as the second half of the year.

[kdmorris]

1. Huh - That's fairly awesome! n/t

[arendt]

2. fairly awesome is a massive understatement

I can buy a gene sequencer for $1500?

That is utterly revolutionary.

For less than the price of a 1990s personal computer, I can sequence my own genome and not have to show it to an insurance company or an employer? (Hell, since how often do you need to sequence you own genes, why not share the cost among ten or a hundred people. Pass the toy around like sharing a lawn mower.

I never felt the need to camp out for the first release of an iPhone or iPad; but this piece of tech I will be in line for.

[kdmorris]

3. LOL true

I had to go for understatement or go for a "I'm a complete dork" excitement