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Biology in the Information Age

In his Science Alive seminar, "Biology in the Information Age - Googling yourself", Conway investigator, Prof Brendan Loftus posed the question to the student audience about what possibilities are open to them given this ability to read an individual’s DNA.

In 2000, the first draft results of the human genome project defined DNA; the instruction manual for life. It identified the 20,000-25,000 genes within humans from both a physical and functional standpoint.

Loftus explained that the task of science now has shifted from trying to know the human genome to knowing your own genome; personalising your genetic information as it is exists within your environment.

A new personal genome project is looking at DNA from 100,000 people who also provide their behavioural details in order to build a picture of how genes and the environment interact. It seems that personalised medicine is the new Holy Grail.

Cell aging and death is a natural process involving telomers. Cancer occurs when the signal instructing a cell to die is not retained. Cells keep replicating and growing uncontrollably.

Genetic diseases occur when the sequence of DNA is faulty. While the view of a number of breast cancer samples under the microscope may appear similar, the genes involved may differ greatly. Loftus explained that scientists can use microarrays to show the genes that are expressed (turned on) or not expressed (off). They appear as patterns of green and red dots respectively.   

All cells contain the same DNA code but their function is dependant on reading different parts of this code. Embryos develop with cells starting the same and then deciding on their function at a later point. These stem cells hold great potential in therapeutic medicine as they can be used to take up the features of particular organs depending on where they are placed.

Professor Loftus told the audience that commercial companies are currently providing personal DNA profiles; listing the characters in an individual’s genetic code and highlighting the disease that they may be susceptible to as a result. The future may lie in the ability to tailor therapies on the basis of individual DNA.

Podcast - 'Biology in the Information Age'