Communications of the ACM
New Technology Pinpoints Genetic Differences Between Cancer, Non-Cancer Patients
Harold "Skip" Garner
Virginia Bioinformatics Institute
Virginia Tech scientists have developed technology that can find genetic differences between breast cancer patients and healthy individuals. The researchers developed a design for a new DNA microarray that enabled it to measure the 2 million microsatellites found within the human genome. They say the technology provides an effective way for evaluating microsatellites and understanding their role in the genome for the first time. Only a small percentage have been linked to cancer and other diseases.
"We have now arrived at a new biomarker--an indicator that could be used to evaluate the amount of risk that you have for developing cancer in the future," says Virginia Bioinformatics Institute executive director Harold Garner. "What just came out in our paper is a description of the technology that allows us to very quickly and efficiently and inexpensively measure these 2 million places using a uniquely designed microarray."
The team is now using the technology to evaluate cancer predisposition risk markers in colon, lung, and other cancers.
From Virginia Tech News
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