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Data as Far as the Eye Can See

Dec 02, 2011

All the sequencers at BGI generate so much data that the institute has to use FedEx to send disks of data to its collaborators, highlighting the data storage and management problems facing genomics research, says The New York Times. However, the article adds that the problem is also creating opportunities for bioinformaticians and bioinformatics companies. "We believe the field of bioinformatics for genetic analysis will be one of the biggest areas of disruptive innovation in life science tools over the next few years," wrote Goldman Sachs analyst Isaac Ro in a recent report. The Times adds that the situation will only worsen with the addition of RNA, protein, and metagenomic data, though some researchers are turning to computing solutions like relying on the cloud or a collaboration with Google.

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The Scan

Genome Sequences Reveal Range Mutations in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers in Nature Genetics detect somatic mutation variation across iPSCs generated from blood or skin fibroblast cell sources, along with selection for BCOR gene mutations.

Researchers Reprogram Plant Roots With Synthetic Genetic Circuit Strategy

Root gene expression was altered with the help of genetic circuits built around a series of synthetic transcriptional regulators in the Nicotiana benthamiana plant in a Science paper.

Infectious Disease Tracking Study Compares Genome Sequencing Approaches

Researchers in BMC Genomics see advantages for capture-based Illumina sequencing and amplicon-based sequencing on the Nanopore instrument, depending on the situation or samples available.

LINE-1 Linked to Premature Aging Conditions

Researchers report in Science Translational Medicine that the accumulation of LINE-1 RNA contributes to premature aging conditions and that symptoms can be improved by targeting them.