Genetics and Health

Automated DNA Sequencers

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on August 29th, 2005

The first reliable DNA sequencing technique was pioneered by Frederick Sanger in 1975, since then the entire genomes of several species have been delineated in large part due to the development of automated DNA sequencers in 1986. In the latest issue of The Scientist, Alison McCook reviews the history and future of the automated DNA sequencer.

Most clinics will likely use automated sequencers to run fragment analysis and look for single nucleotide polymorphisms, rather than sequence patients’ entire genomes, predicts Noreen Galvin, GenomeLab business center manager at Beckman Coulter. “That’s something that’s very applicable to the capillary system, in a clinic,” she says.

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Still, even if researchers learn more about what genes cause disease, and how to interpret reams of sequence data in a way that benefits health, other experts will have to work out the legal and ethical ramifications of that information. For instance, should people know how many disease-carrying genes they have? “We’re probably going to make these technical advances, but what are we going to do with that information?” asks Max-Planck’s Glenis Wiebe.

Earlier this month, scientists unveiled faster and cheaper sequencing techniques that made quite a stir in the scientific community. These methods, however, are far from idiot-proof.

I’m waiting for the day when it will be possible to take a sample of cheek cells or a drop of blood, plop it onto a slide, insert it in a DNA sequencing machine the size of a microwave, and walk away. Coming back with a cup of coffee 10 minutes later, the screen will be flashing “SEQUENCING COMPLETE,” the entire sequence is on the screen complete with colored tags highlighting potential problem-causing mutations, the type of mutations they are, and a list of different patient-oriented considerations such as recommended dosages of drugs. (And maybe a disclaimer in small print at the bottom - “Use this information at your own risk.”)

Wonder how long we’ll have to wait?

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health