Single-cell sequencing

The first program has been created to detect DNA mutations in individual cancer cells

RSUTE based on MD Anderson: First computer program developed to detect DNA mutations in single cancer cells

Researchers at the Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas have announced a new method for detecting DNA mutations in individual cancer cells. Scientists believe that the technology will be an important addition to diagnosis and treatment.

The technique described in the article Nature Methods (Zafar et al., Monovar: single-nucleotide variant detection in single cells – VM) differs from existing analogues analyzing millions of cancer cells. Technologies known as next generation sequencing (SNP) measure genomes in a given volume of material. The new technique, called Monovar, allows scientists to study information about individual cells.

"SNPs have improved our understanding of the human genome and its varieties in diseases such as cancer," said Ken Chen, co–author of the article, associate professor of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, "however, due to the analysis of a large volume of cells, scientists often do not notice genomic variations in tissue samples."

This flaw led to the development of single-cell sequencing (ACS) technology. The technique has significantly improved the understanding of certain characteristics of tumors. Monovar has become a new version of the ACS, which has increased the accuracy of the analysis and made it possible to recognize single-nucleotide variations. According to the co-author of the study, Nicholas Nevin, the program is an innovative statistical technique that makes it possible to obtain detailed genetic information from a variety of individual cells.

The developers believe that Monovar will help stimulate biomedical research. The technique has potential in the detection and treatment of cancer, as well as in a number of other areas such as prenatal genetic diagnosis.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  19.04.2016