Proton Ion Sequencer: What's (very) cool

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The Proton Ion sequencer is a revolutionary new biological technology. It uses semi-conductor sequencing, a seemingly complicated method which codes AT/CG using the charge of each respective base, to quickly and inexpensively sequence any DNA. This technology is particularly impressive because it cuts time and costs involved with coding: what previously took weeks or longer can now be done in literally 24 hours, and what previously cost $10,000 now only costs $1,000 for one sequence. What is particularly amazing is the cost of the machine itself, as it only costs $149,000 to purchase a Proton Ion Sequencer. While that may seem steep, that is comparatively free when faced with the half-million it costs to purchase a different technology for sequencing. This lowered cost allows for a broader consumer base, letting more and more researchers and physicians purchase the device and investigate the seemingly limitless bounds of genetic codes. In fact, LSU owns a Proton Ion Sequencer, so groundbreaking, inexpensive, and fast research is being done on our very own campus every day.

            The types of things that can be discovered through quick and inexpensive DNA sequencing are boundless. First, it can be used for early detection and prevention of diseases. It has been said that genetics load the gun, but environment pulls the trigger, so knowledge of genetic predispositions is invaluable. Newborns can be screened (i.e., their DNA is processed and checked for known signs) for diseases like cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, PKU, and hypothyroidism and treatments can be instituted immediately. In the book, “The Language of Life” by Francis S. Collins, he discusses the benefits of such screens: “While hypothyroidism is generally not due to a single genetic cause, early detection is critical. If your child has hypothyroidism, it is essential to replace thyroid hormone immediately to allow normal brain development” (pg. 42-43). So, even for illnesses which are not caused by any single genetic trigger, we can quickly find genetic vulnerabilities and fend off full expressions of disease. This is also true for mental illnesses, as disorders such as schizophrenia and alcoholism have very strong genetic bases and can be prevented against.  Learning disorders such as ADHD and math or reading disabilities can be found at birth, and teaching techniques can be personalized to ensure the best learning environment for all students.

            Another benefit to cheap and readily available genetic screenings is personalized medical care. At some point in the (possibly near) future, private physicians could have access to their patients’ genetic code standard alongside any other medical history, allowing them to optimize treatment. If a patient has a predisposition of a heightened sensitivity to a specific medication, the doctor would write a much lower dosage or even use a different prescription. This method could save countless lives with allergic reactions or accidental overdoses. Similarly, many illnesses are mysterious in their expression, and doctors sometimes toil away for weeks or months looking for the cause of seemingly inexplicable symptoms.  If that particular disease has a genetic basis, a quick DNA sequencing could easily answer any question and allow the patient to be treated properly.

Finally, the potentials for research which come from the Ion Sequencer are endless. As shown in this article, http://www.gizmag.com/ion-proton-sequencer-decodes-dna/21092/, and an e. coli outbreak was solved in just hours since this technology could easily code the virulent strain so it could be isolated and destroyed. Along the same lines, any bacteria, virus, or cancer with a genetic code can be understood and eventually solved using this method. Finally, our genetic code holds the mystery of evolution: all modern life has evolved from a prior form, and comparing modern DNA to discovered fossil DNA can reveal phylogenies and explain the Earth’s past.

Obviously, the technology of the Proton Ion Sequencer is a very exciting one, filled with chances to understand life on an atomic level.