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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

World's First Personal DNA Analyzer

Filed under: Diagnostics , Genetics

If you've been anxiously awaiting the day that you could analyze your DNA in the comfort of your own home, then you wait is over. Plop down 15 grand and get your analyzing on!

Spartan Bioscience Inc. today announced the commercial launch of the Spartan DXTM real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) DNA analyzer. The Spartan DXTM provides DNA results in 30 minutes or less for 4 samples at a time. It is available at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of USD $14,995. Spartan is now accepting orders for shipment during the month of July.

Highly accurate DNA testing is the "gold standard" for molecular diagnostics, but is slow and expensive since batched, mainframe-style DNA machines are designed for highly-trained scientists in high-throughput environments.

In contrast, the Spartan DXTM is designed for non-batched, on-demand DNA applications where speed and convenience are important. Applications include low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases.

The Spartan DXTM has been validated against industry-leading real-time PCR machines. It is proven to be compatible with industry-standard consumables, including inexpensive reaction tubes and real-time PCR reagents and kits from leading manufacturers.

"In the same way that mainframe computers gave rise to personal computers, mainframe DNA machines are giving rise to personal DNA analyzers," said Dr. Paul Lem, Chief Executive Officer of Spartan. "DNA is in every organism on the planet and there will be major benefits as DNA testing becomes widely available."

Spartan Dx...

Smart Economy...

email this article to a friend      print this!           comments and peer reviews (6)




replies: 6 comments
Open comments are not moderated, although abusive and vulgar remarks may be deleted. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Medgadget.com. Please consult our disclaimer.

No mention of what we're analyzing our DNA for...?


Posted by: Townsend
on June 13, 2007 03:50 AM GMT

For those of us who are not trained in molecular genetics... what exactly does it do? I can see it sequences DNA, but is this something that could be used to, say, get a quick check for genetic diseases or risk factors? Is is most likely to be seen in a hospital, GPs office, laboratory or forensics department? And how is it used, too? Stick a finger in and wait, or spend a few hours fiddling with your sample and a lot of testtubes full of unpronouncable chemicals before pouring the result in?


Posted by: Suricou
on June 13, 2007 04:51 AM GMT

This is a real-time PCR machine. You could use it to tell if a certain gene or variant is present in your DNA, but it would require much specialized knowledge to design and carry out the assays. The chemicals are not cheap.


Posted by: Dan
on June 13, 2007 05:12 AM GMT

Good question, Suricou.

I'll leave it off as "What he said"


Posted by: labine
on June 16, 2007 03:19 PM GMT

The Spartan DX was designed with microbiologists in mind because they often have 1 or 2 samples and want fast yes/no DNA results for bacteria and viruses. e.g. do you have chlamydia or not?

As dan pointed out, the Spartan DX is a real-time PCR instrument. It is not a DNA sequencer.

DNA chemicals are coming down in price. You can order master mix kits online that let you test samples for about $3/reaction. It is now possible for motivated home hobbyists to build their own molecular biology labs:

http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7854327

P.S. I work at Spartan Bioscience


Posted by: spartanbio
on June 19, 2007 07:57 AM GMT

Great And Thoroughly Cool! Go and think calmly about the totally gnarly advances that getting this awsome contraption allows! Can anyone today tell a guy to compute all the combinations of GATC that can go together? Can anyone? Can God?


Posted by: Skip Oberon
on June 20, 2007 12:12 PM GMT

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