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Worth It Yet?

Apr 13, 2009

MSN Money takes a look at personalized genomic testing, specifically focusing on the full sequencing offered by Knome. Knome's price tag has dropped from $350,000 to $99,000, while in the article George Church says that the actual cost of mapping a genome is about $5,000. MSN Money adds that Knome customers also receive "an encrypted key in a sterling-silver case engraved with the Greek words for 'know thyself'" and they can plug into their computers to use the KnomeXplorer. Blaine Bettinger at the Genetic Genealogist adds that he is encouraged by the price mentioned by Church. "I've predicted that I will be able to purchase genome sequencing for $1,000 or less by December 31, 2009. Think I'll make it?" he asks.

Breaking News
The Scan

Alzheimer's Risk Gene Among Women

CNN reports that researchers have found that variants in MGMT contribute to Alzheimer's disease risk among women but not men.

Still Hanging Around

The Guardian writes that persistent pockets of SARS-CoV-2 in the body could contribute to long COVID.

Through a Little Spit

Enteric viruses like norovirus may also be transmitted through saliva, not just the fecal-oral route, according to New Scientist.

Nature Papers Present Method to Detect Full Transcriptome, Viruses Infecting Asgard Archaea, More

In Nature this week: VASA-seq approach to detect full transcriptome, analysis of viruses infecting Asgard archaea, and more.