DNA Sequencer

[C&C]

I mentioned this in the lounge on a thread about favourite/new technology, but thought I'd post here in case it's of any interest.

I was watching a programme about digging up old landfill sites, and a question was asked about the possible development of new bacteria in this environment. Whilst that in itself was an interesting concept, they found a sealed bottle of some gunky liquid and decided to test it.

The scientist person on the programme then said they could test it "in the field" and compare with a database of previously identified bacteria.

To test it, she said they could use a portable DNA sequencer, which was apparently powerful enough to sequence the human genome.

I was expecting a large, delicate, expensive piece of equipment in a Pelican case.

Instead she pulled out a little box about the size of a cigarette packet, with a USB lead to plug into her (standard) laptop.

On googling, it appears to be a real thing and available for $1000.

Surprising just how small, usable, and (if you have a reason for sequencing DNA), cheap it was.

[Terminator X]

DNA sequencer? Next step death ray surely?



TX.

[troc]

I had the privilege of being chairman on the person examining division at the european patent office which approved the patent on that particular device we were fairly impressed too and it takes a lot to impress me!