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DNA Disruptors: Our Genetic Future

Waverunner

Senior Member
Messages
1,079
Randomized clinical trials are based on probability. A drug, which works for 30% of the population, can be useless or even harmful in the remaining 70%. There has to be a better way. Here is a very interesting discussion from Forbes.

Discussants: George Church, Stephen Bonner, Howard Jacob and Jonathan Rothberg.

DNA-sequencing machines are improving at a rate that exceeds the steep innovation slope of the microprocessor, and are now being adopted in cancer care. But will this technical arms race ever transform medicine or society?

 

Waverunner

Senior Member
Messages
1,079
Thanks Wawerunner for posting this very interesting discussion.

Helen

You're welcome. Jonathan Rothberg said, that full genome sequencing will become available for around 1000 dollars at the end of 2013. We'll see if he is right. This could be the first step to solve a whole bunch of diseases including autism and CFS.
 

Helen

Senior Member
Messages
2,243
I have heard about that cost from other specialists too. I agree that genome studies of ME/CFS will be very helpful to us. And also for an acceptance of the disease among all doctors and laymen as there are many signs of a genetic base.
Nielk told in a thread about the ongoing trial at Mt Sinai Hospital that their genomes will be sequenced. Hopefully the 40 genomes will be sufficient to find what we have in common.
 

Waverunner

Senior Member
Messages
1,079
I have heard about that cost from other specialists too. I agree that genome studies of ME/CFS will be very helpful to us. And also for an acceptance of the disease among all doctors and laymen as there are many signs of a genetic base.
Nielk told in a thread about the ongoing trial at Mt Sinai Hospital that their genomes will be sequenced. Hopefully the 40 genomes will be sufficient to find what we have in common.

Yes, it would be a great thing to compare genomes of PWCs. As soon as many of us can afford it, we as patients can become active in advancing the understanding and solving this disease. If scientists would find a common trait in CFS, this would highly boost research in this area. In addition to this, genome sequencing enables us to sequence viruses and bacteria, so treatment options for these infections could become much more safe and effective.
 

Helen

Senior Member
Messages
2,243
Did you read about Eric Schadt at Mt Sinai Hospital? There are some good videos too if you haven´t seen them. I have a great trust in him to make the most of the genetic information.
 

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
You're welcome. Jonathan Rothberg said, that full genome sequencing will become available for around 1000 dollars at the end of 2013. We'll see if he is right. This could be the first step to solve a whole bunch of diseases including autism and CFS.


I just participated last week in the Enlander Mt. Sinai study in New York. They are doing a full genome sequencing for each patient.
 

Waverunner

Senior Member
Messages
1,079
Did you read about Eric Schadt at Mt Sinai Hospital? There are some good videos too if you haven´t seen them. I have a great trust in him to make the most of the genetic information.

No, I haven't seen them but I will watch them. Thanks for the info.

Nielk: That sounds great. Do you know how many participants this study has and if they compare the genomes? Can you let us know, if they find anything?
 

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
No, I haven't seen them but I will watch them. Thanks for the info.

Nielk: That sounds great. Do you know how many participants this study has and if they compare the genomes? Can you let us know, if they find anything?

They are looking for 150 ME/CFS patients and 150 controls. They are doing the genome sequencing for all 300 patients to look at what is distinguishing in the ME/CFS group.
 

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
Here is information about the ongoing study. The exciting part about this study for participants is that we are promised to ultimately receive our personal results when completed.


Mount Sinai is conducting a study on ME/CFS, to learn more about the immune system and genomic data of patients with ME/CFS. The study will involve filling out questionnaires, riding an exercise bike for up to 20 minutes as tolerated, taking a stool sample for genetic testing and drawing blood for three consecutive days after the exercise test on the first day. You will receive $140 at the end of your participation in the study for your time and effort . If you are interested in participating, please email micol.zweig@mssm.edu, with any questions and your contact information. Micol Zweig, the Clinical Research Coordinator, will contact you via email.
 

Waverunner

Senior Member
Messages
1,079
Here is information about the ongoing study. The exciting part about this study for participants is that we are promised to ultimately receive our personal results when completed.

Very nice. What makes me happy about the study is the fact, that you have 300 participants. 300 is a lot better, than the 15 or 25 participants they had in most other CFS studies. Church said, that they are happy about every genome, they can get. I really hope, that they find something. This could be the start of something big.
 

Helen

Senior Member
Messages
2,243
I agree. 150 genomes from people with ME/CFS is really good. Thank you Nielk again for doing this for all the rest of us.