Thursday, June 14, 2007
Do your own DNA analysis at home!
Is molecular biology about to move into its hobbyist phase, much as computing did in the 1970s? For $15,000 you can buy your own home DNA analyzer.
4 Comments:
By 
La Cot, at
Thu Jun 14, 12:42:00 PM:
Hmm...perhaps for those of us who'd like to work from home sometimes? Though it's a real-time machine, which is not what I need at the moment, and only does 4 samples at a time. Molecular analysis in one's pjs may be around the corner, but I dunno if this will be what does it. Who knows?
As a medgaget commenter pointed out, you would still need other basic equipment, including reagents, which can be pricey and can have certain storage requirements. And just like in lab, you'd have to be willing to put in the tweaking, troubleshooting, and policing for contamination. Certainly could be entertaining, though.
By 
, at
Thu Jun 14, 03:57:00 PM:
Ah ha DEXTERS LAB in your own kitchen
By , at
Thu Jun 14, 06:41:00 PM:
cool, but I'm saving for the consumer release of a "neural network based system for screening pap smears".
DNA analysis is so yesterday.
- Crusader
By , at
Tue Jun 19, 11:25:00 AM:
DNA chemicals are coming down in price. You can order master mix kits online that let you test samples for about $3/reaction.
Also, DNA extraction is getting much easier these days. For example, EPICENTRE has a buccal swab that lets you collect and extract PCR-quality DNA in 3 minutes: http://www.epibio.com/pdfforum/11_4_4.pdf
It is now possible for motivated home hobbyists to build their own personal molecular biology labs:
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7854327
