The Future Is Here Today...Robots, Genetics, AI, Longevity, Singularity

Want To Live Forever? Better Hope You Have the Right FOXO3A Gene

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by Aaron Saenz on February 19th, 2010
foxo3a gene longevity

A common gene variant is found in many centenarians. It could explain how some live past 100 despite their lifestyle.

German researchers at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel recently confirmed that variants of the FOXO3A gene are a common characteristic for many people who live past 100. The CAU team studied 380+ centenarians, more than 600 people in their 90s, and more than 700 60-75 year olds to determine how prevalent these gene variations were. They found that not only were certain FOXO3A variants very common in 90 year olds, they were even more common in 100 year olds, emphasizing the importance of genetics for aging well. The CAU work confirms earlier research performed by J. Wilcox that found FOXO3A variants among Japanese American centenarians. Both papers were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). CAU has a partner group in France that showed similar results there. Taken together, these studies suggest that FOXO3A may be a global factor for longevity. While none of these teams have worked to extend human life per se, understanding FOXO3A variations may eventually lead to genetic treatments to help us all live past the century mark.

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Genome Study Reveals New Links to Parkinson’s

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by Aaron Saenz on November 23rd, 2009
New studies in the US and Japan highlight important genetic links to Parkinson's disease.

New studies in the US and Japan highlight important genetic links to Parkinson's disease. Good news for those suffering from the debilitating illness.

Affordable genetic testing continues to enable scientists to find exciting new discoveries that may help doctors predict, prevent, and treat disease. Two teams of researchers recently published in Nature Genetics (a Japanese team from Kobe University, and a US team from NIH) have collaborated to find that five important genetic variants are linked to Parkinson’s. This debilitating brain disease degrades muscle control through a reduction in brain chemicals and affects 1-2% of those over 65. This research was the largest case of genetic testing for Parkinson’s, ever. With the amount of genetic data that can now be processed quickly and cheaply, studies like these are just the beginning.

These two Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) rely on finding important comparisons of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). 23andMe declared war on Parkinson’s by analyzing SNPs one individual at a time and hope to gather 10,000+ samples total. These two GWAS, however,  have already examined the genetics of many thousands of volunteers. By sifting through this massive amount of data, scientists can glean which genetic markers may indicate increased risks of the disease. It’s only been in the last few years that genetic testing has been cheap enough to facilitate such studies. As whole genome sequencing becomes cheaper, researchers will be able to study more DNA than just SNPs. This may lead to an even better understanding of the links between genes and illness. We live in a very exciting time – there is an ocean of data in our DNA that is going to be explored in the next few years.

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The Kaiser Permanente BioBank – 100k Volunteers and Growing

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by Aaron Saenz on October 22nd, 2009
Kaiser has collected more than 100,000 genetic and medical profiles using spit collection kits like this one.

Kaiser has collected more than 100,000 genetic and medical profiles using spit collection kits like this one.

It stands to reason that if you want to perform genetic research, you are going to need some genetic samples. While you could always go out and collect your own, Kaiser Permanente is doing much of the work for you. Since the end of 2008, the healthcare provider has been gathering a collection of DNA samples and medical histories from thousands of its customers as part of their Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health (RPGEH). The goal is to create a database that will enable researchers to discover links between our genes and the diseases we develop. As of the end of summer, KP has collected more than 100,000 saliva samples and their corresponding health records from volunteers. By 2013, they hope to reach half a million. That’s a lot of spit. Watch experts from KP explain their project in a clip from ABC’s The View From The Bay after the break.

BioBanks are large collections of genetic and medical information. They are formed by convincing huge numbers of volunteers to submit DNA samples and answer detailed surverys about their health and where they live. All that effort comes with a big payoff: the data in a BioBank can be used to find statistical correlations between genes and increased risks of diseases, and to determine how those risks are affected by the factors in someone’s environment. With a large enough BioBank, and the time to analyze it, scientists could discover the effects of our genetic code, and lead the way to new treatments for all manner of illnesses. They could also predict negative reactions to medications or even find new environmental links to disease.

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DNA Electronics Has a Hand Held Genetic Testing Device – Interview with CEO!

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by Aaron Saenz on September 30th, 2009
The SNP Dr from DNA Electronics will allow you to find important genes in your DNA in less than 30 minutes.

DNA Electronics' SNP Dr. will allow you to find important genes in your DNA in less than 30 minutes.

If your computer and your DNA had a baby, it would be the SNP Dr. from DNA Electronics. SNP Dr. is the world’s first hand held semi-conductor device that will be able to read your DNA in about 15-30 minutes. I was able to chat with DNA Electronics CEO Prof. Chris Toumazou who is also the founder of Toumaz Technologies, the company that brought you Sensium. Toumazou let me in on how SNP Dr. will change medicine and genetic testing, and what we can look forward to in the future of semi-conductors and biology.

The current means of looking at your genetic code involves actual looking. Optic sensors help to pour through your DNA and discover variations. That technique is slow and difficult to scale down. Semiconductors, though, are getting faster and smaller every day. So a semiconductor device like SNP Dr. can be cheap and easily produced at a hand held size. Imagine a world where genetic testing could be done with just some spit, a cotton swab, and your iPhone.

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23andMe Leading Way to Democratized Disease Research

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by Aaron Saenz on August 17th, 2009

Here’s a riddle: What do you get when you mix American Idol with genetic testing for disease? The 23andMe research revolution. The same company that brought you affordable testing for common genetic markers has begun a new initiative to lend insight into genetic causes for common illnesses. Starting this summer, 23andMe members can vote for which diseases they think should be researched, and submit their genetic information as patients for the studies. Co-founders Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki want you to join, vote, and send in your spit to help find cures. Watch their video after the break.

news_pd23andMe is a personal genetics firm that allows individuals to test their genome for key genetic markers. These markers take the form of SNPs (pronounced ’snips’), single nucleotide polymorphisms. A standard test that grants you access to information about ancestry, health, and traits costs you about $399. A research version is available for just $99. Basically all you do for either option is spit in a special tube and then mail it to the company.

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Google, Papa Brin Step In For 23andme

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by Keith Kleiner on June 19th, 2009

23andme-brin-googleBoth Google and Sergey Brin have made an investment in personal genetics company 23andme in a series B funding round.  This comes on top of a previous investment from both Google and Brin in the series A round in 2007.  On the one hand, this is pretty sketchy.  It is a serious conflict of interest, as Brin is married to 23andme co-founder Anne Wojcicki.  On the other hand, you gotta hand it to Google and Brin for sinking their hands into yet another initiative that is trying to make the world a better place.  Overall though, I wish they had found a less controversial way of doing so.

Brin appears to have sunk $10 million into this series B round, while Google has put in $2.6 million.  As if the financial investments weren’t controversial enough, apparently Google and 23andme have entered into some sort of leasing agreement, though the details of this agreement are not available.

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