Researchers in Canada and the U.K. have sequenced and assembled de novo, the first full genome of a living organism using a DNA sequencer that can fit in your pocket. If when you hear the word ‘minion’ you think of those small yellow creatures in the upcoming computer-animated comedy film ‘Minions’, you will be surprised by what you read next…
It could turn out to be a significant scientific leap forward: a team of scientists has used a mobile-phone-sized DNA sequencer called MinION to assemble a complete bacterial genome. Hard to imagine if we consider competing machines that can be as big as closets.
A REVOLUTION IN DNA-BASED DIAGNOSTICS
The cost-effective device, which has already been used by epidemiologists to read the genomes of Ebola viruses in West Africa and sequence patient DNA, will trigger what some have called a “democratization” of sequencing. Experts believe that with the combination of affordability, long-reads and portability, this USB thumb-drive genetic testing device, is primed to disrupt the way scientists do genomics.
Findings published today in the journal Nature Methods suggest that the DNA sequencer marketed by Oxford Nanopore allows room to scale up and sequence larger and more complex samples of genomes in organisms, eventually including human beings.
CHEWING GUM PACKET-SIZED DNA SEQUENCER
According to Dr. Jared Simpson, Principal Investigator at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, this chewing gum packet-sized DNA sequencer is designed to generate real-time data streaming and read long enough stretches of the genome allowing complete reconstructions off a tiny device.
Although some scientists don’t see the groundbreaking adoption of the device at a clinical level, the MinION definitely has an amazing ‘hip’ factor since it is so small and portable, and could be a game-changer due to its relatively affordable price. Traditional sequencers could cost as much as US $1 million, while researchers could use this DNA sequencer for a US$1,000 deposit.
Dr. Tom Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research believes that the technology has incredible potential. If scaled up, it could sequence tumour genomes and deliver tailor-made diagnosis and treatment to patients across the globe.
A shortcoming of the technology is that the single reads it produces are currently much less accurate than the reads produced by larger devices. Yet, with a jump in accuracy to match its competitors, this DNA sequencer has the potential to be used by scientists as an alternative or supplement to current options.
Eventually we’ll neeed Urban Armor Gear for our smart, portable DNA sequencers (one hopes):
GameChanger: DNA Sequencer the Size of a Smartphone
