The Wave of the DNA future

Scientists at Oxford are working on a cheap portable device that will allow doctors to conduct gene sequencing more easily. The device will allow doctor's to sequence genes at a patient's beside, wildlife biologists to sequence an animal's genes in the field, and food inspectors to identify pathogens.  The device is about the size of a USB drive and can be plugged straight in to a computer.  It is estimated to cost around
$900 which will allow researchers without the funds for more expensive devices access to this technology. Oxford plans to release this device as well as a slightly larger one later this year. "Both the tiny MinIon and the larger GridIon look likely to be the first sequencers to use nanopore sequencing, in which a strand of DNA is read as it is pulled through a microscopic hole, sort of like a noodle being slurped through rounded lips." (New York Times)  The small device can only be used once, but can sequence up to one billion bases.  It has worked well so far and if it continues to be a success the DNA sequencing process could be changed forever.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/health/oxford-nanopore-unveils-tiny-dna-sequencing-device.html?ref=science