New Tech Promises Cheap Gene Sequencing In Minutes 121
Zothecula writes "Sequencing an entire genome is currently a highly complex, time-consuming process – the DNA must be broken down into segments and replicated, utilizing chemicals that destroy the original sample. Scientists from Imperial College London, however, have just announced the development of a prototype device that could lead to technology capable of sequencing a human genome within minutes, at a cost of just a few dollars. By contrast, when sequencing of the genome of Dr. James Watson (co-discoverer of the structure of DNA) was completed in 2007, it had taken two years and cost US$1 million."
Re:but (Score:4, Interesting)
can it sequence as fast as slashdotters can claim first post?
Nope, but it is following an exponential cost curve [synthesis.cc]. Get it cheap, get it fast, hook it to some truly impressive computing technology to make some sense out of it and you've got?
1984 looking like the Elysian fields? Paradise? Something in between?
As the old Chinese curse goes "May you live in interesting times".