Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Genome Breakthrough Zeroes In on Disease

New approach decodes entire genomes of individual patients

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2010 12:51 PM CST

(Newser) – Two teams of researchers have identified the exact genetic cause of their patients' rare diseases by sequencing their entire genomes, a sharp but promising departure of the previous application of genetics to disease. “I suspect that in the next few years human genetics will finally begin to systematically deliver clinically meaningful findings,” one researcher tells the New York Times.

It helps that the price is coming down: One man’s genome was decoded for $50,000, while a lab hopes to offer the service for $5,000. Until now, fewer than 12 individual genomes had been decoded, at great cost, with scientists preferring to focus on supposed problem areas associated with common diseases. That approach has largely been a bust and is expected to be replaced by this new personalized method.

Vials of blood samples.
Vials of blood samples.   (AP Photo)
Pipettes used to extract DNA are seen at Bode Techology in Lorton, Va.
Pipettes used to extract DNA are seen at Bode Techology in Lorton, Va.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
0%
14%
0%
82%
4%
0%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
bewilderbeast1
Mar 12, 2010 7:50 AM CST
Isn't scientific progress fascinating. We'll now hear from the churches how wrong it is. Until some pope or other gets sick, then it'll be blessed - um "as long as . . (some mindless conditions because "it is written . . . ").
attaboy
Mar 11, 2010 7:16 PM CST
awesome. plain and simple

More Newser Stories

Chinese Gene Mapping Links Dialects, Disease

Researchers Find Cancer 'Fingerprints'

Scientists Zero In on Genetic Clues to Anorexia

Heart Risk Linked to Obesity—in Preschoolers

Botox Numbs Emotional Response


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne