Genomics is a field of technology that changes at an alarmingly rapid rate. It is difficult to find samples of other fields which have undergone change at similar rates, but comparisons could include the evolution of computer technology over the past several decades or the rapid growth of Internet startups in the 90s. Unlike these examples, the growth of genome sequencing technology is limited to a specific technological sector, or at the very least, it’s been until now.
Sequencing technology is now passing a vital point, at which the cost of whole genome sequencing is obviously lower than the cost of managing a conventional panel of genetic tests. Although it is difficult to calculate a defined figure for this, it probably lies in the number of $1K-$10K. Illumina’s HiSeq platform or IonTorrent’s Proton both promise genomic sequencing in this range, in addition to Complete Genomics. Even as we pass this time, genome sequencing moves from the realm of research technology to viable clinical diagnostic test.
The results of this change may be observed in the growing widespread curiosity about sequencing technology. While technologies in this region have revolutionized many aspects of research over the past decade, their use in clinical settings has profound implications for this industry. Research applications can only provide a small source of profits. Moving into clinical applications provides use of a much bigger level of capital, both because of the larger market and higher profit margins. 発生学
The clinical introduction of genome sequencing technology will change many areas of healthcare next few years. Genome sequencing could eventually take the spot of a regular section of a patient’s healthcare record, in quite similar way as blood type and allergies to medication are utilized today. However, we have a lot of ground to cover before we get to the point. For entrepreneurs in this field, this equates to a variety of exciting opportunities.
While interpretation of genomic has been a significant part of research, the growing utilization of this data in clinical fields will create a good demand for the unambiguous interpretation of results. Physicians want an unambiguous questions such as for instance disease predisposition, and they’d like a respected party to assume the responsibility for making this judgement. Recently, an increasing number of companies have entered the location of genomic data interpretation, many of them small startups such as for instance Genformatic, a Bioinformatics company situated in Austin. Larger companies have begun to concentrate on providing these services. As this industry evolves, it is likely that more companies may enter this realm, and it is likely to be interesting to observe how things develop in this area.
While anyone with experience in Molecular Biology possesses the mandatory skills to organize and run libraries, a lot of things can fail in this process. Even yet in pure research applications, sample preparation can be an increasingly common service given by many different centers, in addition to boutique services, such as for instance Genome Organizer’s ChIP-Seq service. It’s not that researchers can’t perform these tasks, nevertheless when they are readily available for a fee, they see little benefit to running these services for themselves. As genomic sequencing moves into the clinical realm, demand for such services can be likely to increase. You can find not many hospitals with the existing capability to execute basic sample preparation, and this represents a new part of opportunity in this field.
Among the greatest aspects of uncertainty in this region today is how samples are certain to get from physicians’ offices to sequencing centers, and who’ll inform patients of these results. Though medical school curricula may one day include the interpretation of genomic data, we’re not even close to that time today. Currently, even the administration and interpretation of Genetic tests is generally left to individuals in the field of Genetic Counseling, in collaboration with statisticians and specialists. Although it is likely that a variety of other professionals will take over the responsibility of this field in the future, it is likely that in the near future, the growth will need place in this field.