Proton Ion Sequencer on Prezi
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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.
