Genomics, DNA Sequencing and Personalized Medicine
Getting at the Underlying Causes of Cancer
With recent technology, researchers can obtain much more data about particular changes in cells to produce cancer. Making sense of the massive amount of data, though, is the difficulty. Read how molecular science is changing how cancer is characterized.
Tracking the Spread of Bacteria Around the Globe with DNA Sequencing
DNA analysis has become accessible enough to enable convenient genetic characterization of large numbers of pathogen samples collected from patients around the world. As a result, they can track how new strains of virulent bacteria have evolved into global pandemics. The article discusses two examples of this sort of analysis, and what the findings suggest about how bacteria continues to adapt and thrive in the modern world.
The Challenges of Offering Diagnostic Genetic Analysis
It's anticipated that individual DNA sequencing will revolutionize how we practice medicine. However, there are real practical challenges associated with implementing this technology in the clinic. (Published: February 28, 2013)
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Analysis and FDA Regulation
Several companies provide services for personal genetic analysis and some of the information you can get relates to health dispositions and disease risks. Is this providing medical advice? Who is interpreting the data? The FDA is looking into how to regulate this complex and evolving DNA analysis market.
The Individual Genome Sequencing Business
You can go online and order a service kit to have your DNA analyzed. What do these companies provide and what do you have to do? This article explains direct to consumer genetic analysis.
The Value of Personal Genomic Analysis
Genes define our individual traits, predispositions, and characteristics, but how much do they actually reveal? Does having your own DNA analyzed provide any insight about yourself? While researchers have made inroads toward understanding the implications of different genetic variations between individuals, is this information useful to analyze a single person’s DNA?
Gene Patents: Can a Company Really Own Your DNA?
How can companies patent human genes? As the Supreme Court prepares to take up the issue of gene patents with its review of the Myriad case, this article explores the details of how genes can be patented why the Court needs to weigh in on what they really cover.
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
A growing niche of companies have formed to provide individual genetic analysis to any interested individuals. Find out about this developing direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA analysis business that breaks old models offers direct access to sophisticated DNA results.
Genetic Analysis Improves Medicine's Response to Infectious Outbreaks
The accessibility of high through DNA sequencing is changing the way healthcare workers track pathogen infections. See how advances in genetic analysis enables doctors to identify bacterial infection routes and halt outbreaks faster. (Published: January 31, 2013)
The Need for Cheaper and Faster DNA Sequencing
Methods to sequence DNA have been used in labs for 30 years so what continues to drive development of new sequencing technology, and why the interest in "next generation" sequencing?
The Supreme Court Reviews Myriad's Gene Patents
The Supreme Court will consider limitations on the rights of companies to patent human genes with its upcoming decision in the case challenging Myriad Genetics claims to the BRCA cancer genes. Myriad claims it owns all rights to gene tests that determine if women have certain mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which indicate a high risk of...
The Fight to Use Maternal Blood for Prenatal Testing
A simple blood test of a pregnant woman can now identify fetal genetic abnormalities that can produce conditions such as Down's Syndrome. How was this approach developed and who are the companies involved in developing the technology?
How Researchers Figure Out Which Genes Are Associated with Diseases?
How do researchers find the small differences in the 3 billion bases of a person's DNA that predispose someone to be obese, have ADHD, develop cancer, or have a sensitivity to some drug?
Genetic Variation, Disease Genes, and Risk Factors
More than just define our physical appearance, genes make us who we are. They determine our unique physiology, influence our social, personality, and intellectual attributes, make us more susceptible to diseases, and determine our response to treatment. Personalized medicine attempts tailor an individual’s health care and treatment based on...
SNPs, Indels, and Other DNA Variations That Make Us Who We Are
The differences between everyone genes are what make us who we are. Science and technology are reaching the point where each person can find out what’s unique about their own genetic information.
The Impact of Whole Genome DNA Sequencing on Health Care
As DNA sequencing costs are coming down to the point where this technology can transition from basic research to a routine medical use, there is a lot of discussion how this new in depth information genetic will really affect health care. A couple new studies demonstrate how this technology could be practically used to improve health care of...
What Happened to the Affymetrix DNA Microarray Revolution?
The company that introduced microarray technology for genetic analysis is facing hard times as much of the market is supplanted by next generation sequencing. Does Affymetrix have a plan?
Helicos BioSciences Corporation
A case study and company history of Helicos BioSciences Corporation, specialists in single molecule technology, sequencing by synthesis and the innovators of a technique for true single molecule sequencing.
DNA Sequencing Methods
Different DNA sequencing methods described.
Tools that Make DNA Sequencing Possible
Essential Tools for DNA Sequencing
The Impact of Whole Genome DNA Sequencing on Health Care
As DNA sequencing costs are coming down to the point where this technology can transition from basic research to a routine medical use, there is a lot of discussion how this new in depth information genetic will really affect health care. A couple new studies demonstrate how this technology could be practically used to improve health care of...
You May Inherit Epigenetic Mark-ups with Your Genes
Can a parent's life experience affect the genetic traits they pass onto their children? While gene sequences don't change with life experience, epigenetic mark-ups that specific gene expression patterns do, and these changes are sometime heritable.
Medicine and Healthcare
Highlights how biotechnology research advances that affect healthcare and medical treatment.