by Beyond Lab
it is clear that 23andme uses Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) as its genotyping service lab with Illumina chips (arrays). --Beyond lab is wondering how much 23andme will pay LabCorp for each sample, how much is the chip and how much can they get from what customres pay. --This market is huge but is absolutely quantity-dependent. The more customers, the more profit. What will the customres get and how will the information help the customres? --that's something else.
Showing posts with label personal genome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal genome. Show all posts
Friday, July 18, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
what's wrong with those consumer genomics companies?
by Beyond Lab
After the action of New York state about 2 months ago, California is taking a similar approach to try to regulate consumer genomics (personal genomics) companies from offering genome services without prescription from doctors. With many posts in my blog talking about the current situation of personal genomics, you might understand that one of the basic reasons is that it is not ready yet. (Most) Consumers feel what they got from the services didn't worth the money. As many experts suggested, the current consumer genomics services should be considered as "recreational genomics" -- therefore whichever company marketing these services should not relate them to health or medical implications. Otherwise, you have to get physician's prescription. So, at this point, it is reasonable for New York and California two states to initiate some regulations.
This is a good thing!
After the action of New York state about 2 months ago, California is taking a similar approach to try to regulate consumer genomics (personal genomics) companies from offering genome services without prescription from doctors. With many posts in my blog talking about the current situation of personal genomics, you might understand that one of the basic reasons is that it is not ready yet. (Most) Consumers feel what they got from the services didn't worth the money. As many experts suggested, the current consumer genomics services should be considered as "recreational genomics" -- therefore whichever company marketing these services should not relate them to health or medical implications. Otherwise, you have to get physician's prescription. So, at this point, it is reasonable for New York and California two states to initiate some regulations.
This is a good thing!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
to make use of genome
by Beyond Lab
Human genome is huge. Individual variations are also extremely common. Most of these variations don't have any effect on any function. But some, either by itself or in combination with others, do. What, how, when, and where these variations matter is something we have to know before personal genomics really mean anything.
As one of my earlier posts indicated, some companies, in collaboration with research institutes, have projects on their target diseases or conditions. But that's obviously not enough. We have to know everything - eventually.
So, there is a "genome-wide association studies" from NIH which involves "rapidly scanning markers across the complete sets of DNA, or genomes, of many people to find genetic variations associated with a particular disease". Many diseases are under study now. This sort of "national" or global initiative, like the previous human genome project, is really the drive to our understanding of our genome and therefore could make use of genome information.
More detail information could be found here: http://www.fnih.org/GAIN2/home_new.shtml
Human genome is huge. Individual variations are also extremely common. Most of these variations don't have any effect on any function. But some, either by itself or in combination with others, do. What, how, when, and where these variations matter is something we have to know before personal genomics really mean anything.
As one of my earlier posts indicated, some companies, in collaboration with research institutes, have projects on their target diseases or conditions. But that's obviously not enough. We have to know everything - eventually.
So, there is a "genome-wide association studies" from NIH which involves "rapidly scanning markers across the complete sets of DNA, or genomes, of many people to find genetic variations associated with a particular disease". Many diseases are under study now. This sort of "national" or global initiative, like the previous human genome project, is really the drive to our understanding of our genome and therefore could make use of genome information.
More detail information could be found here: http://www.fnih.org/GAIN2/home_new.shtml
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Big money on personalized medicine
by Beyond Lab
Luxembourg government decided to take the challenge to push personalized medicine researches with big money. In collaboration with three U.S. institutes, U. of Luxembourg will establish several research centers to build a BIOBANK which collects huge amounts of disease samples and genetic information. This proposed system will be used to promote translational research and systems biology and in the long run will build the basics for personalized medicine. Of course, this has to be helped with modern personal genomics studies.
To Beyond Lab, this initiative is an important step toward personalized medicine. With U.S. economy going slow and U.S.federal funding being flat, other countries like Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore, and even South Korea are putting big amount of money in life science. At this point, the whole thing is still at data/information collection stage. But very soon, really useful knowledge/technology will come out and some of them will bring money back to those countries who invested in the research. Although it is difficult to predict exactly a time frame, the fast growing technologies will sure prove this is the case.
Luxembourg government decided to take the challenge to push personalized medicine researches with big money. In collaboration with three U.S. institutes, U. of Luxembourg will establish several research centers to build a BIOBANK which collects huge amounts of disease samples and genetic information. This proposed system will be used to promote translational research and systems biology and in the long run will build the basics for personalized medicine. Of course, this has to be helped with modern personal genomics studies.
To Beyond Lab, this initiative is an important step toward personalized medicine. With U.S. economy going slow and U.S.federal funding being flat, other countries like Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore, and even South Korea are putting big amount of money in life science. At this point, the whole thing is still at data/information collection stage. But very soon, really useful knowledge/technology will come out and some of them will bring money back to those countries who invested in the research. Although it is difficult to predict exactly a time frame, the fast growing technologies will sure prove this is the case.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Personal genomics -- not only cancers
by Beyond Lab
A significant part of personal genomics studies have been focusing on the relationship to cancers. But that's definitely not the whole case. Recent gene analysis showed the potential use of personal genomics in other diseases related to our everyday life such as metabolic disorders -- folate (a kind of vitamin) metabolism.
Sequencing of a vitamin-dependent enzyme (critical proteins which carry out most of the molecular reactions in our body) methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) from about 600 persons' genomes found that there are some variations in the populations. Some of the variations actually affected the enzyme function. More importantly, increasing folate level could rescue its function to normal level. --This is really direct evidence that simply changing what we eat everyday could interact with personal genomes and therefore have obvious benefit.
How useful is your personal genomes? Studies like this will gradually prove it. - Some time in the future, sequencing your genome will be like buying a car. Of course, by then genomics counselors will be a good job :)
A significant part of personal genomics studies have been focusing on the relationship to cancers. But that's definitely not the whole case. Recent gene analysis showed the potential use of personal genomics in other diseases related to our everyday life such as metabolic disorders -- folate (a kind of vitamin) metabolism.
Sequencing of a vitamin-dependent enzyme (critical proteins which carry out most of the molecular reactions in our body) methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) from about 600 persons' genomes found that there are some variations in the populations. Some of the variations actually affected the enzyme function. More importantly, increasing folate level could rescue its function to normal level. --This is really direct evidence that simply changing what we eat everyday could interact with personal genomes and therefore have obvious benefit.
How useful is your personal genomes? Studies like this will gradually prove it. - Some time in the future, sequencing your genome will be like buying a car. Of course, by then genomics counselors will be a good job :)
Monday, June 2, 2008
colorectal cancer and patient personal genomics
by Beyond Lab
Here, another example showed that colorectal cancer patients with normal K-RAS gene have better response to a FDA approved drug (an EGFR antibody if you are interested).
The study was a multi-center multinational prospective clinical trial (Phase II) of Cetuximab where about 600 colorectal cancer patients were examined for K-RAS gene mutations and related to response to drug treatment (in combination with standard chemotherapy). --More wild-type K-RAS carriers showed reduced cancer and decreased risk of cancer progression. The numbers are not dramatic, but are significant considering the number of patients studied.
This kind of study will gradually build the foundations of personalized medicine and the eventual application of personal genomes (genomics). As mentioned in one of my previous posts, those personal genomics companies should collaborate with researchers to expand this kind of correlation studies (especially with NIH funding is limited).
Here, another example showed that colorectal cancer patients with normal K-RAS gene have better response to a FDA approved drug (an EGFR antibody if you are interested).
The study was a multi-center multinational prospective clinical trial (Phase II) of Cetuximab where about 600 colorectal cancer patients were examined for K-RAS gene mutations and related to response to drug treatment (in combination with standard chemotherapy). --More wild-type K-RAS carriers showed reduced cancer and decreased risk of cancer progression. The numbers are not dramatic, but are significant considering the number of patients studied.
This kind of study will gradually build the foundations of personalized medicine and the eventual application of personal genomes (genomics). As mentioned in one of my previous posts, those personal genomics companies should collaborate with researchers to expand this kind of correlation studies (especially with NIH funding is limited).
Friday, May 30, 2008
new marketing strategy: RESEARCH
by Beyond Lab
You have probably already heard that 23andme established a collaboration with Parkinson's Institute to work on a system to use computer and internet to assess the relationship between patients' medical information, genes and Parkinson's Disease. This is not only a completely new thing to everyone, but also a very clever way to promote the companies' personal genomics services. Research to promote business -- Hasn't this been going on for a long time except no involvement of computers and internet.
Because it is so new, a lot of ideas need to be developed by the collaborators. They need to prove the principle actually works. Just to name a few challenges: an internet based information collection, analysis and distribution system (which is far mor complicated than a conventional database); a way to use this information and personal genomes securely; how to expand to other disease models for example diabetes ...
Although Beyond Lab has no doubt of the potential success, it takes time to let both the academics and general community accept the concepts. Let's keep an eye on it.
You have probably already heard that 23andme established a collaboration with Parkinson's Institute to work on a system to use computer and internet to assess the relationship between patients' medical information, genes and Parkinson's Disease. This is not only a completely new thing to everyone, but also a very clever way to promote the companies' personal genomics services. Research to promote business -- Hasn't this been going on for a long time except no involvement of computers and internet.
Because it is so new, a lot of ideas need to be developed by the collaborators. They need to prove the principle actually works. Just to name a few challenges: an internet based information collection, analysis and distribution system (which is far mor complicated than a conventional database); a way to use this information and personal genomes securely; how to expand to other disease models for example diabetes ...
Although Beyond Lab has no doubt of the potential success, it takes time to let both the academics and general community accept the concepts. Let's keep an eye on it.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
personal genome service in China
by Beyond Lab
Last year my brother had chances to interact with several personal genomics companies in China. From his first hand experience, I briefly describe the situation of industrialization of personal genomics services in China. There seem to be some success in terms of marketing in this premature market.
There are about 4~5 private companies promoting sequencing genome for individuals. The most success one was established by several marketing experts. Among those are an editor China Daily news paper press, a marketing specialist (who is the president), a graduate student of Peking University (this is the only “scientist”), a novel writer, a lawyer. What's obvious from this combination is that they are good at marketing. In fact, according to them, they've sell up to 300 million Chinese Yuan of personal microarray genomic services in about one year last year. Their "success" also relies on another factor -- China has 1.4 billion people and the rich have too money to consume. Those rich people are keen to try new technology even if they don't understand it at all. This is called "fashion".
Their marketing strategy is massive media broadcasting and training workshops. They take advantage of the fact that so many people are looking for chances to make money and so many people can be easily talked into new things. So, they recruit a lot of distributors, who have to pay them a certain amount of money to join，to do the actual person-to-person marketing in hospitals and health related business areas. They are quite successful so far.
Another company takes a different approach. They collaborate with one academic organization to promote personal genomic services to children. Since children are parents' future and main focus, people are willing to pay for this kind of new things such as a microarray analysis if breast cancer related genes etc.
Still one more company is trying a governmental approach. The company director established some relationship with Department of Health of central government and persuaded the Department to develop a suggestive medical protocol for genetic testing in favor of this companies' product (one of which is similar to above breast cancer microarray). Once this protocol is distributed to hospitals, there will be doctors prescribe these related tests. How good is this approach? There is not enough data yet. But it is certainly interesting to follow up.
I don't know any company is providing SNP personal service in China as of now.
You may find some of these are special to China. But this is still the beginning of the field. Marketing of personal genome service is a challenge around the world.
Last year my brother had chances to interact with several personal genomics companies in China. From his first hand experience, I briefly describe the situation of industrialization of personal genomics services in China. There seem to be some success in terms of marketing in this premature market.
There are about 4~5 private companies promoting sequencing genome for individuals. The most success one was established by several marketing experts. Among those are an editor China Daily news paper press, a marketing specialist (who is the president), a graduate student of Peking University (this is the only “scientist”), a novel writer, a lawyer. What's obvious from this combination is that they are good at marketing. In fact, according to them, they've sell up to 300 million Chinese Yuan of personal microarray genomic services in about one year last year. Their "success" also relies on another factor -- China has 1.4 billion people and the rich have too money to consume. Those rich people are keen to try new technology even if they don't understand it at all. This is called "fashion".
Their marketing strategy is massive media broadcasting and training workshops. They take advantage of the fact that so many people are looking for chances to make money and so many people can be easily talked into new things. So, they recruit a lot of distributors, who have to pay them a certain amount of money to join，to do the actual person-to-person marketing in hospitals and health related business areas. They are quite successful so far.
Another company takes a different approach. They collaborate with one academic organization to promote personal genomic services to children. Since children are parents' future and main focus, people are willing to pay for this kind of new things such as a microarray analysis if breast cancer related genes etc.
Still one more company is trying a governmental approach. The company director established some relationship with Department of Health of central government and persuaded the Department to develop a suggestive medical protocol for genetic testing in favor of this companies' product (one of which is similar to above breast cancer microarray). Once this protocol is distributed to hospitals, there will be doctors prescribe these related tests. How good is this approach? There is not enough data yet. But it is certainly interesting to follow up.
I don't know any company is providing SNP personal service in China as of now.
You may find some of these are special to China. But this is still the beginning of the field. Marketing of personal genome service is a challenge around the world.
Friday, May 23, 2008
personal genomics and cancer treatment, another model
by Beyond Lab
A recent extensive study showed that different genetic mutations (personal genomics)of a single gene could result in different drug response.
The most common lung cancer - non-small cell lung cancer - is associated with mutations of a gene called EGFR. Using AstaZeneca’s cancer drug Iressa (gefitinib), this study found that patients' drug-response, to a large degree, depends on the specific mutations. Without going into the details, this study indeed support the potential application of personal genomics in medical practice. Once enough genetic, genomic and clinical information is accumulated, doctors could select treatment that will sure be effective based on patients' genome -- so called personalized medicine.
A recent extensive study showed that different genetic mutations (personal genomics)of a single gene could result in different drug response.
The most common lung cancer - non-small cell lung cancer - is associated with mutations of a gene called EGFR. Using AstaZeneca’s cancer drug Iressa (gefitinib), this study found that patients' drug-response, to a large degree, depends on the specific mutations. Without going into the details, this study indeed support the potential application of personal genomics in medical practice. Once enough genetic, genomic and clinical information is accumulated, doctors could select treatment that will sure be effective based on patients' genome -- so called personalized medicine.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
mourn the dead, join rescue efforts
by Beyond Lab
Help those people in Sichuan, China!!!!
http://sichuanearthquake.org/
An extended question, if all the dead in the earthquake had their personal genomes (or some cells) stored somewhere, do you agree to clone them? --Or even just the children?
Help those people in Sichuan, China!!!!
http://sichuanearthquake.org/
An extended question, if all the dead in the earthquake had their personal genomes (or some cells) stored somewhere, do you agree to clone them? --Or even just the children?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
disease links and personal genomics
by Beyond Lab
"Most biology today is low input, high throughput, no output biology" --Sydney Brenner (on the conference to celebrate 25th anniversary of GenBank April 2008) commented on the current information crisis in biology.
This is exactly true for personal genomics. Modern high throughput biology research has generated so much data that exceed the capacity of data storage hardware many times. For example, new DNA sequencing technique easily generates gigabyte-level data. These new techniques will make the $1000 personal genome possible in a few years.
However what do the data tell us? Not so much. There are only a number of cases where the linkage between genes and diseases has been established, such as BRCA1 and breast cancer. We are still at the starting point now in terms of genome-wide association study. The complexity of our body, the complexity of genome regulation and epigenome regulation all make this a tough work. Plus new techniques and theories appear quickly and a lot of our knowledge has to be modified, even completely discarded. And a lot of current research is not solid enough to establish the clear links we need clinically. It is still a long way before we can comfortably say that we KNOW our genome!
Researchers have to be able to be patient enough to collect more data. Personal genomics customers have to be patient enough before your genome get decoded. Don't be too excited by personal genomics companies' marketing tricks.
"Most biology today is low input, high throughput, no output biology" --Sydney Brenner (on the conference to celebrate 25th anniversary of GenBank April 2008) commented on the current information crisis in biology.
This is exactly true for personal genomics. Modern high throughput biology research has generated so much data that exceed the capacity of data storage hardware many times. For example, new DNA sequencing technique easily generates gigabyte-level data. These new techniques will make the $1000 personal genome possible in a few years.
However what do the data tell us? Not so much. There are only a number of cases where the linkage between genes and diseases has been established, such as BRCA1 and breast cancer. We are still at the starting point now in terms of genome-wide association study. The complexity of our body, the complexity of genome regulation and epigenome regulation all make this a tough work. Plus new techniques and theories appear quickly and a lot of our knowledge has to be modified, even completely discarded. And a lot of current research is not solid enough to establish the clear links we need clinically. It is still a long way before we can comfortably say that we KNOW our genome!
Researchers have to be able to be patient enough to collect more data. Personal genomics customers have to be patient enough before your genome get decoded. Don't be too excited by personal genomics companies' marketing tricks.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Al Gore and personal genomics
by Beyond Lab
Do you know that Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Prize winner, has a close connection to personal genomics company Navigenics?
Here it is. Gore is a partner with the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, the lead investor in Navigenics. Navigenics co-founder David Agus is also his friend. He said at one occasion on Navigenics that "it's going to be a fantastic success." However if you think about it, how much does he know about gene, genome and diseases?? Probably not much. Because he is certainly not in the field.
But if he promotes this personal genomics service like he promoted his global warming film, Beyond Lab thinks that Navigenics could actually get some sort of success. --Just joking.
But this certainly could be one of Navigenics' marketing places.
Do you know that Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Prize winner, has a close connection to personal genomics company Navigenics?
Here it is. Gore is a partner with the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, the lead investor in Navigenics. Navigenics co-founder David Agus is also his friend. He said at one occasion on Navigenics that "it's going to be a fantastic success." However if you think about it, how much does he know about gene, genome and diseases?? Probably not much. Because he is certainly not in the field.
But if he promotes this personal genomics service like he promoted his global warming film, Beyond Lab thinks that Navigenics could actually get some sort of success. --Just joking.
But this certainly could be one of Navigenics' marketing places.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Blood Matters, facing genetic mutations
by Beyond Lab
What will happen after having your personal genome mapped (or sequenced or SNP'ed)? Will your life be changed if there is an well-established disease causing mutation?
If you are wondering these questions, please check this book out.
Blood Matters From Inherited Illness to Designer Babies, How the World and I Found Ourselves in the Future of the Gene. By Masha Gessen.
Masha carries a known BRCA1 mutation which is known to be a cause of breast cancer and ovary cancer. She inherited this mutation from her mother who died of breast cancer. This book described how her life has been changed after knowing the positive mutation. She has several options: 1, ignore it and live a "normal" life; 2. have breasts removed; 3. have ovaries removed; 4. have both breasts and ovaries removed; 5. monitor closely (which you should do anyway); 6. try to improve physical/immune system and fight against potential cancer.
What's her choice?
Although I haven't read the book yet, it certainly is on my list.
What will happen after having your personal genome mapped (or sequenced or SNP'ed)? Will your life be changed if there is an well-established disease causing mutation?
If you are wondering these questions, please check this book out.
Blood Matters From Inherited Illness to Designer Babies, How the World and I Found Ourselves in the Future of the Gene. By Masha Gessen.
Masha carries a known BRCA1 mutation which is known to be a cause of breast cancer and ovary cancer. She inherited this mutation from her mother who died of breast cancer. This book described how her life has been changed after knowing the positive mutation. She has several options: 1, ignore it and live a "normal" life; 2. have breasts removed; 3. have ovaries removed; 4. have both breasts and ovaries removed; 5. monitor closely (which you should do anyway); 6. try to improve physical/immune system and fight against potential cancer.
What's her choice?
Although I haven't read the book yet, it certainly is on my list.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
talks on consumer genomics or personal genome
by Beyond Lab
As noted in one of my earlier posts, there are a lot of issues surrounding consumer genomics (personal genome) services /products and talks between academic and industry are required. Well one such discussion just happened last week at Cold Spring Harbor Lab (CSHL).
At the Biology of Genomes meeting at CSHL, one section witnessed Dietrich Stephan, co-founder and CSO of Navigenics; Linda Avey, 23andMe co-founder; Kari Stefansson, deCodeme president, CEO, and director; Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Other participants included Kathy Hudson from Johns Hopkins University and Joseph McInerney from the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics. Eric Lander was also there.
A lot of "existing" issues were discussed, especially the usefulness of personal genome. If you want to know more about the discussions please visit Daniel Macarthur's blog. I really like the comments about "a 'wiki-style' catalog of genetic associations".
As noted in one of my earlier posts, there are a lot of issues surrounding consumer genomics (personal genome) services /products and talks between academic and industry are required. Well one such discussion just happened last week at Cold Spring Harbor Lab (CSHL).
At the Biology of Genomes meeting at CSHL, one section witnessed Dietrich Stephan, co-founder and CSO of Navigenics; Linda Avey, 23andMe co-founder; Kari Stefansson, deCodeme president, CEO, and director; Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Other participants included Kathy Hudson from Johns Hopkins University and Joseph McInerney from the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics. Eric Lander was also there.
A lot of "existing" issues were discussed, especially the usefulness of personal genome. If you want to know more about the discussions please visit Daniel Macarthur's blog. I really like the comments about "a 'wiki-style' catalog of genetic associations".
Friday, April 25, 2008
personal genome discussion
by Beyond Lab
A discussion of the personal genome by a panel of "masters" from various fields. Although so far no video available, but this is a must see.
At Univ. of Washington, on Apr 23, Bill Gates, Eric Lander, Maynard Olson, Leena Peltonen, and George Church discussed many aspects of the personal genome: the science, the industry, and ethics etc.
Some interesting notes from above Sandra Porter's post.
"The panelists were asked if they had had their genomes sequenced. Only George Church answered yes. It was interesting though, even though Leena Peltonen and Eric Lander said that they weren't interested in having this done, both of them said they had been tested for certain genetic diseases, Eric, for Tay Sachs, and Leena for 40 diseases common in Finns. Bill Gates said that if the top 20 infectious diseases were to be cured, he would be happy to have his genome sequenced and make it public."
"Eric Lander playfully asked the other panelists if they thought presidential candidates disclose their genomes. He reminded us that we had a president with Alzheimer's disease and we would have found that potential if we had tested him. In the future, will we ask the older candidates to get tested for Alzheimer's?"
--I heard Eric Lander's talks. It is always very informative and amusing. :)
Here you are. I did a quick google and found a place to watch the discussion.
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=24551
The beginning part is just music --weird. but drag to start from after 15min.
Enjoy.
A discussion of the personal genome by a panel of "masters" from various fields. Although so far no video available, but this is a must see.
At Univ. of Washington, on Apr 23, Bill Gates, Eric Lander, Maynard Olson, Leena Peltonen, and George Church discussed many aspects of the personal genome: the science, the industry, and ethics etc.
Some interesting notes from above Sandra Porter's post.
"The panelists were asked if they had had their genomes sequenced. Only George Church answered yes. It was interesting though, even though Leena Peltonen and Eric Lander said that they weren't interested in having this done, both of them said they had been tested for certain genetic diseases, Eric, for Tay Sachs, and Leena for 40 diseases common in Finns. Bill Gates said that if the top 20 infectious diseases were to be cured, he would be happy to have his genome sequenced and make it public."
"Eric Lander playfully asked the other panelists if they thought presidential candidates disclose their genomes. He reminded us that we had a president with Alzheimer's disease and we would have found that potential if we had tested him. In the future, will we ask the older candidates to get tested for Alzheimer's?"
--I heard Eric Lander's talks. It is always very informative and amusing. :)
Here you are. I did a quick google and found a place to watch the discussion.
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=24551
The beginning part is just music --weird. but drag to start from after 15min.
Enjoy.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
GINA, proteome, and more
by Beyond Lab
GINA will very possibly be passed today and sent to George Bush. This is good in protecting your gene (personal genome) information from being misused by insurance companies etc. To know about GINA, this blog has the details.
Personal proteome? It might be too early but it eventually will come around. Researchers around the world are trying to start an ambitious project to map all the proteins in our body. It will definitely cost more than sequencing our genome because there are so many types of cells/tissues in our body and each type has characteristics proteins. Moreover, to understand protein is not just know their names and sequences -- the higher order structures (2,3, and 4-dimensioin) and the interactions among proteins are all critical. How should this be funded? Public money? Private support? Scientists would have to do some marketing to get enough support. Nonetheless, it is useful and must be done.
A step further, once this information is available some day, will there be many private companies to sell personal proteome service like the current personal genome companies? Let's see.
On another topic, since most of the genome or proteome research is done with public funding, should the information be used by private companies to earn money??? Should they be charged for using that information for profit. --Interesting to think about it. Your comments are welcome.
GINA will very possibly be passed today and sent to George Bush. This is good in protecting your gene (personal genome) information from being misused by insurance companies etc. To know about GINA, this blog has the details.
Personal proteome? It might be too early but it eventually will come around. Researchers around the world are trying to start an ambitious project to map all the proteins in our body. It will definitely cost more than sequencing our genome because there are so many types of cells/tissues in our body and each type has characteristics proteins. Moreover, to understand protein is not just know their names and sequences -- the higher order structures (2,3, and 4-dimensioin) and the interactions among proteins are all critical. How should this be funded? Public money? Private support? Scientists would have to do some marketing to get enough support. Nonetheless, it is useful and must be done.
A step further, once this information is available some day, will there be many private companies to sell personal proteome service like the current personal genome companies? Let's see.
On another topic, since most of the genome or proteome research is done with public funding, should the information be used by private companies to earn money??? Should they be charged for using that information for profit. --Interesting to think about it. Your comments are welcome.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
more on personal genomics
by Beyond Lab
Just something to back up what I wrote in yesterday's post about personal genomics.
Boston Globe has an article about this
Some doubt genome's value as health tool.
There have been a lot of this kind of reports some where, both in scientific journals and media. However the image is still not clear. It would be interesting to see how the companies promote their products and challenge the scientist's views. Will simple search engine optimization do the work??
Just something to back up what I wrote in yesterday's post about personal genomics.
Boston Globe has an article about this
Some doubt genome's value as health tool.
There have been a lot of this kind of reports some where, both in scientific journals and media. However the image is still not clear. It would be interesting to see how the companies promote their products and challenge the scientist's views. Will simple search engine optimization do the work??
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
It's Google, again!
by Beyond Lab
Just wondering, do you want to have your personal genome information go public like James Watson? Be careful if you pick 23andme or Navigenics to have your DNA sequenced. Google just invested a big lot of money to Navigenics. Eventually, Google will probably put everything up to the web including indexing your DNA.
Just kidding. What I don't really understand is to me (and certainly a lot of other scientists in the field), personal genome or consumer genomics is certainly not ready yet, but why so many people are jumping into this water??!! Is it fun?
Maybe Google will put ad links to every possible website and to promote eMarketing of this 'promising' new thing. One day, conversation will start like this, "Sequenced yet?"
Just wondering, do you want to have your personal genome information go public like James Watson? Be careful if you pick 23andme or Navigenics to have your DNA sequenced. Google just invested a big lot of money to Navigenics. Eventually, Google will probably put everything up to the web including indexing your DNA.
Just kidding. What I don't really understand is to me (and certainly a lot of other scientists in the field), personal genome or consumer genomics is certainly not ready yet, but why so many people are jumping into this water??!! Is it fun?
Maybe Google will put ad links to every possible website and to promote eMarketing of this 'promising' new thing. One day, conversation will start like this, "Sequenced yet?"
Monday, April 21, 2008
consumer genomics, educational or medical
by Beyond Lab
New York State sent letters to companies offering consumer genomics tests (personal genomome) because the state considers these tests as "medical" test and should obtain a permit before being prescribed by physicians. The 23 companies include Navigenics, 23andMe, Affymetrix, Illumina, and HairDx etc. Some companies claim consumer genomics is educational, therefore should not require special permit. What on earth is this?
--This is a gray area. But considering the massive information (potentially informative at many aspects), I tend to think that consumer genomics belongs to those genetics tests which are not simply educational. Proper regulations are necessary. FDA probably should hold some kind of panel discussion before it really becomes a problem. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is holding such a symposium late this year on this topic (both technology and applications). It is a quickly expanding area involving a lot of deciplines, which makes this kind of discussion important.
I am exciting to see what other people say. So please leave your opinions here.
New York State sent letters to companies offering consumer genomics tests (personal genomome) because the state considers these tests as "medical" test and should obtain a permit before being prescribed by physicians. The 23 companies include Navigenics, 23andMe, Affymetrix, Illumina, and HairDx etc. Some companies claim consumer genomics is educational, therefore should not require special permit. What on earth is this?
--This is a gray area. But considering the massive information (potentially informative at many aspects), I tend to think that consumer genomics belongs to those genetics tests which are not simply educational. Proper regulations are necessary. FDA probably should hold some kind of panel discussion before it really becomes a problem. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is holding such a symposium late this year on this topic (both technology and applications). It is a quickly expanding area involving a lot of deciplines, which makes this kind of discussion important.
I am exciting to see what other people say. So please leave your opinions here.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
personal genome, internet and eMarketing
by Beyond Lab
I did a simple experiment today --search the internet for "personal genome" using different search engines --just want to see what you get on the first page. Here are the results. Only 23andme, which is literally part of google, shows up in google search. Seems some of the companies need to do some search engine optimization (SEO) if they want to have better internet marketing.
Google:
Yahoo:
MSN Live:
PS. There are too many terms with basically same meaning. For example, if you try "consumer genomcis" on these search engines, you will get different hits. But the fact is NO companies were on the first pages.
I did a simple experiment today --search the internet for "personal genome" using different search engines --just want to see what you get on the first page. Here are the results. Only 23andme, which is literally part of google, shows up in google search. Seems some of the companies need to do some search engine optimization (SEO) if they want to have better internet marketing.
Google:
Yahoo:
MSN Live:
PS. There are too many terms with basically same meaning. For example, if you try "consumer genomcis" on these search engines, you will get different hits. But the fact is NO companies were on the first pages.
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