The device is called the MinION. I would imagine that the samples of DNA still need to be prepared in the lab, then the samples would be dropped into its little sequencer chamber where they be sequenced continuously as a DNA strand is pulled through a small hole and inside the machine. The sequencing requires some sort of enzyme solution and inside the device is a small bio-mechanical sieve.

MinION will cost about $900(USD) when it comes to market sometime later this year, however it sounds like that it’s a disposable device which would be used for just a single experiment.

I wonder if this tiny device is the start of a society like that in the movie Gattaca where DNA determines everything you can do. Probably not, but this should make it much cheaper for companies and educational institutions to get into DNA sequencing, assuming the device is accurate.

[via EverythingUSB]

It’s likely that you haven’t encountered anyone with a giant picture containing their genetic code, however, you might in the future. DNA 11 has decided to offer a service where they will take a sample of your DNA, and send you a large piece of “augmented artwork” to hang on your wall. Anyone can then scan the image with their smartphone, and be taken to a page that displays your genetic lineage.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I have to admit, it is an interesting concept. If you’re someone that is really interested in your ancestry, then having a picture on your wall that essentially traces your genetics back over thousands of years would be pretty cool. Of course with a price s tarting at $440 (USD), you’re going to need some deep pockets to afford one.

[via BornRich]

Seriously though, it turns out that parts of our brain – specifically the amygdala and the fusiforn face area (FFA) – are responsible for “encoding race information” and as a side effect, make us biased towards our own race. It seems that Williams Syndrome causes “reduced activity and… impaired interactions” between these two parts. It’s sad that we’re kind of inclined to be racists by nature, but I’m pretty sure we can easily outgrow it. Maybe in the future scientists can pluck that racist gene from our DNA. (Or at least let us choose to be elves – Ed.)

[via Science Blogs via Neatorama]

The experiment was conducted by dermatologist Emi Nishimura in 2004. She exposed mice (their hair also grays with age) to genotoxic stressors – things that can damage our DNA – such as  chemotherapy drugs and x-rays. The hair of the mice turned gray, and as Nishimura said, “the stressed mice’s gray hairs and the cell populations in their follicles were indistinguishable from those of elderly mice, suggesting that genotoxic stress might drive natural graying as well.”

So what does all of this mean? Oncologist David Fisher says that while it’s very strong evidence that the things we encounter everyday – radiation from the sun, household chemicals, perhaps even the medicine we take – can all damage us at a genetic level, the experiment doesn’t prove that emotional stress can damage our DNA or induce premature maturation of our cells.

More importantly, the experiment shows that to some extent our body is capable of protecting itself from DNA-damaged cells by accelerating their aging. Fisher thinks that the experiment is a good starting point to find ways for our body to do the same to cancer cells – which are also DNA-damaged cells.

[via Science]

Try DNA Heroes, a flash game that combines Guitar Hero with…well, actually nothing. It’s just GH with electronic music, and instead of notes you get amino acids scrolling down the screen. That’s hardly nerdy; I’m sure chimps can figure this game out.

Still, it gives players the option to play as a two – time Nobel Prize winner. So if you’ve ever wanted to play as Frederick Sanger, go and fulfill your dream at Routes game.

[via Wonderland]