Is genetic testing useful?

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted August 31, 2008 in DNA Around the World, DNA Testing, DNA and the Law

In The Malaysia Star today, Dr. Teo Soo Hwang explores genetic testing as it applies to the BRCA gene for breast and ovarian cancer – Can genetic testing be useful? The paper is printing “a series of four articles by the Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) that explores how genes are linked to diseases, the relationship between genes and cancer, and what is genetic testing and counselling.”

By the way, Malaysia’s government is currently considering a DNA Identification Bill that would require people charged with a crime to submit DNA samples. While this type of law is nothing new in other countries, such as the UK, the introduction of this bill in Malaysia at this time is part of a political brouhaha involving opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim who has been accused of sexual misconduct. His supporters fear that if he were forced to give a DNA sample, it would be tampered with and falsely incriminating results would be submitted to the courts.

Om Prakash says at malaysiakini.com:

The onus must be on those who want to freely give their DNA sample to prove their innocence. Let us not be threatened with another draconian law like the ISA for political and law- enforcement expediency.

We are not ready to just trust anybody yet.

Conclusion: Genetic testing is useful to some and not so useful for others.

Other DNA articles of interest in The Malaysia Star:

• Your genes, your health (1st in the series)
• Let’s do a CSI

Photo credit: Eye on Malaysia, Lukman Kusuma

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DNA 11 Introduces GenePak Genome Analysis

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 3, 2008 in DNA Products

One of the coolest ways to have fun with your DNA is via DNA art and the leader in the marketplace is undeniably DNA 11, creators of DNA portraits. Today, DNA 11 launches the GenePak upgrade which will identify four genes during DNA processing. With the enclosed booklet, customers can identify the specific DNA fragments in their DNA portraits that show their genotype for the following genes.

• Sport: Show off your muscles without having to flex. This gene called ACTN2 is expressed in all muscle cells.
• Brain: This gene — IGF-2 — is associated with intelligence. It is not the only gene whose expression correlates with IQ, but one of them that is involved in development of the brain
• Love: This gene — NGF2 – is one of the genes responsible for those butterflies in your stomach when you meet that special someone.
• Gender: This gene — Amelogenin — is often used to determine whether someone is male or female.

  ~Press Release

Co-founder Nazim Ahmed:

Our clients have been so happy with their unique DNA art portraits that we wanted to add even more insightful and exciting options for them. This new GenePakâ„¢ option allows clients to analyze their genes in an interesting way that creates great entertainment value for friends and family.

GenePack is available for an additional $99 with any DNA portrait as an upgrade.

NB: DNA 11 was recently mentioned in this Clarion-Ledger article – Getting personal: Products touting individuality appeal to the masses.

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What $2500 Can Buy in DNA Services

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted April 9, 2008 in DNA Products, DNA Testing

Genetic testing continues to get cheaper but not to the extent where everyone can afford every DNA service they have their heart set on. But that’s life, isn’t it?

My mom used to equate everything with the cost of pizzas as in “this pair of shoes could get you three large pizzas!” In that vein, let’s see how much $2500 can get you in the personal genomics marketplace.

$2500 can buy you:

• One Navigenics Health Compass membership – initiation and one year subscription
• Ten years of Navigenics annual subscription fees at $250 each year after initial purchase
• Two 23andMe accounts at $999 USD each with $502 to spare
• Two deCODEme accounts at $985 USD each with $530 to spare
• Twelve General Interest Panels of genetic tests from DNA Traits at $199 each with $112 to spare
• Seven alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency genetic tests at DNA Direct at $330 each with $190 to spare
• 0.71% of a $350,000 whole genome sequence from Knome
• Two Gene Essence genetic tests from BioMarker Pharmaceuticals at $1195 each with $110 to spare
• Two 1-working day express service DNA paternity tests from DNA Diagnostics Center at $995 each with $510 to spare
• Sixteen HairDX genetic tests at $149 each with $116 to spare
• Eight Suracell “DNA Based Age Management” DNA tests (via Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute) at $300 each with $100 to spare
• Twelve Advanced Paternal Lineage Test (Y-chromosome 46) from DNA.Ancestry.com at $199 each with $112 to spare
• Four DNA11 DNA art portraits at $525 each with $400 to spare.

Of course, looking at price alone isn’t a fair comparison since each company above provides vastly different services and genetic information to their customers from genetic genealogy to art to single disease testing to whole genome sequencing. Cost is a factor, however, in most consumers’ purchasing decisions so it’s interesting to see how prices stack up.

What would you do with $2500?

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Just In Time for Christmas – More DNA Art

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted December 17, 2007 in DNA Products

One of the most unique gifts you can give this Christmas is DNA art. One new option in this growing market is Cell Portraits founded by molecular biologist Dr. Phil Fisette. His multicolor DNA prints are created from a 1000X magnification of chromosomes contained in white cells. Customers give two to three drops of their blood which is then incubated in cell-growth medium for about five days.

Dr. Fisette stains the white blood cells and uses a microscope to look for a display of chromosomes suitable for immortalizing on canvas or paper. Customers can choose the colors they prefer and a sample proof is emailed for approval before final printing. Prices range from $250 to $500.

If I were running a consumer genomics company, I would offer Cell Portraits or other complementary services to my customers. DNA holds so much meaning and promise that any early adopter of personal genomics would appreciate having a gorgeous and tangible representation of their genetic past, present, and future.

via Wisconsin State Journal

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, cell portraits, philip fisette, dna art, art

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Dr. Peter N Gray, Scientist and DNA Artist

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted October 17, 2007 in DNA Fun, Personalities with DNA

This past summer, I featured Dr. Peter Gray of Metal-i-Genics Studio who was formerly head of the department of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. I was pleased to hear from him personally about the Digital’07 exhibition that is running from October 6 to January 27 hosted by Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. (ASCI). There’s an online showcase and live presentation at the New York Hall of Science. Dr. Gray was one of only 23 artists whose work, a digital depiction of mitochondrial DNA ancestry, was selected for the exhibition.

Dr. Gray is also looking for scientists and artists in the Chicago area to help expand his summer program on Genetics and Sculpture. This program is aimed at inner city 6th and 7th graders who create a genetically-based sculpture plus other works of art in a five-week program that culminates in an exhibition during Chicago Artists Month in October. If you’re interested in helping out, please leave a comment below or email peter AT metal-i-genics DOT com.

Lucy by Peter N. Gray
Studies in Android Genomics

I also had the chance to ask Dr. Gray about his background and what it’s like to make the transition from science to art. Here’s his response:

I received training in art and graphics at the Delaware Art Institute and a New York graphics design firm, and earned a Bachelor of Arts & Science from the University of Delaware, a Master of Science from the Northwestern University Medical School, and a Ph.D. in biomedicine from The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the M. D. Anderson Tumor Institute in Houston, Texas. In addition, I’ve completed a two-year residency at the CNRS in Marseille, France. Early research was on ribosome subassembly and later on Huntington’s Disease.

I work at Metal-i-Genics Studio located in Chicago’s West side and teach a special Genetics and Sculpture summer program in a Chicago public school. I am an Illinois Road Scholar, a participating member of Chicago Sculpture International, the International Sculpture Center, and ASCI, the Arts & Science Collaboration, Inc. in New York City.

One of my goals is making science available and understandable to the general public and I think art is one way to achieve this. The underlying concepts emanate from multidisciplinary biomedical experiences and artistic training, as well as extensive travels in Europe and Asia. Each piece is designed to bring the artistic aspects of science into the realm of each person. What do the sex chromosomes really look like? What genetic structure underlies Fragile-X syndrome? At times I capture the ironic concept of human beings trying to recreate themselves with technology—the development of “humanoids” as the further development of task-oriented robots into androids and cyborgs. My series on Android Genomics, genetic sequencing of androids, should they have any, is one such endeavor.

I’ve been asked about making the transition from science to art; however, I think it is either the other way round, or the bigger transition from physics to molecular biology. While studying painting and stone sculpture in high school, I also was majoring in physics and polymers. It wasn’t until graduate school that my paintings included scientific content. There may have been a small voice in the background that suggested science was more likely to pay the rent. I think many scientists recognize an artistic quality in some aspects of their scientific research. It probably is easier as an electron microscopist, cell biologist or nanotechnologist and often many set aside images they particularly like. In my case, I recognized them in an artistic way, but all too frequently kept them only as scientific information and rarely went further. Is was only later when I started working in steel and bronze that I used many of these mental images as concepts for large sculptures. Scientists and artists each take critical objective views of an object or concept. The scientist seeks facts and beauty of a developing theory that may or may not be proven, while the artist either looks within the concept or object for deeper meaning or extrapolates to a broader philosophical or emotional interpretation that may be expressed in an abstract or representational manner.

Tags: peter gray, genetics, genes, dna, science, genomics, scientist, artist, art, sculptures

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Weird DNA Product #138: My DNA Fragrance

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted September 8, 2007 in DNA Products

Getting bored with the usual ways in which you can use your DNA – cellular repair, forensic identification, just plain staying alive? My DNA Fragrance is for you!

You do the usual buccal swab DNA collection at home, send it in, and get an exclusive fragrance created wthin 7-10 business days. You can choose between perfume, oils, or cologne delivered to you in a “clinically approved aluminum bottle.” Prices range from $59.99 to $89.99 with optional perfume bottles BUT here’s the catch – first time customers have to pay an additional $99.99 for the DNA swab and lab fee. (Note: The way the price list is split up makes it confusing and potentially misleading.)

If your own “DNA fragrance” isn’t good enough for you, check out these other products that have to do with DNA.

• Discovery DNA Explorer Kit
• DNA 11 DNA Portraits
• DNA Art Forms (EoD post)
• DNA Art
• ZOOB 500-Piece Basic Set, a construction kit based on DNA
• Discovery DNA Explorer Kit
• DNA Wooden Puzzle
• Human DNA Jewel Pendant
• Sterling Silver DNA Necklace and bracelet
• NOVICA DNA Necklace
• DNA Crystal Tumblechip Necklace and other products from DesigNA
• DNA by Bijan Eau De Parfum Spray
• Genetic Denim
• DNA T-shirts
• DNA Cartoons
• JMK Genealogy Gifts
• Gattaca (Superbit Collection)
• Something from The DNA Store
• DNA crafts from Etsy (EoD post)
• Doggie DNAPrint (EoD post)
• DNA Transcription Tree Cards
• Books about DNA
• Subscription to a science and nature magazine

Have you purchased any DNA products before? Which ones and how were they?

via Wired Science

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, weird, perfume

(31 comments)

DNA Art Forms by Catherine Dapra and Paul Zawierka

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted August 13, 2007 in DNA Products

More DNA art for your viewing pleasure. DNA Art Forms was founded by Catherine Dapra and Paul Zawierka. The process begins with a DNA test that examines 15 short tandem repeat (STR) markers. You then discuss the results of your DNA with Catherine, the artist, who uses various media to create a unique piece of art incorporating your DNA pattern.

Our first DNA art form was created in 2003. To develop a greater understanding of the science behind our art, Paul studied genomics at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Long Island, New York. Although initially only for themselves, the concept of layering their families’ DNA was conceived. Coming from a large family, Catherine imagined comparing her lineage and weaving a DNA family tree. The comparisons seemed endless, and watching the variations and mutations from grandmother to mother to daughter and so on became an incredible way to preserve history.

My favorite painting from the DNA ART gallery is the one shown called Butterflies in Rain. (Click on the cropped image to see the whole painting.)

NB: Terry Lovelocke also left a comment in my post mentioning DNA 11 prints. He pointed to DNA Art that also produces prints but with a DNA pattern of 12 lanes (columns) instead of 10.

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, dna art, painting, catherine dapra, paul zawierka

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Weird Use of DNA #482: Ancient DNA in Painting

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 4, 2007 in DNA Fun

Danish artist Ulla Plougmand-Turner has used “ancient DNA” to create a painting of the “Seven Daughters of Eve,” women who Professor Bryan Sykes of the University of Oxford says are the maternal ancestors of the majority of Europeans. He created the DNA in his own lab:

I know how it [DNA] can survive thousands of years and what I’ve done is to reverse this process making new DNA, reconstructed, and then put that into the paint.

Artist Plougmand-Turner said the experience of using DNA endowed paint was “amazing.” If she wants to use some of my DNA next time, I might consider it.

The painting is being exhibited at Wolfson College, Oxford until Friday, June 22nd.

NB: See other forms of DNA art.

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, painting, ulla plougmand-turner, bryan sykes, daughters of eve, genomics, genome, ancestry, genealogy

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5 Cool Things You Can Do With Your DNA

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 7, 2007 in DNA Fun, DNA Products, DNA Testing

Genetic technology isn’t quite advanced enough to predict your future, but there’s already plenty of fun you can have with your DNA. Here are five cool things you can do with your DNA.

1. Extract your own DNA.

   All you need is 15 minutes, salt, liquid soap, water, rubbing alcohol, and some glass and plastic cups. More details from biology.about.com: How to Extract DNA From Human Cheek Cells.

2. Save it for future reference in case of missing persons, abduction, or identification in the event of a tragedy.

   The City of San Bruno has step-by-step instructions for how to collect and save your children’s DNA in your own home (it would also be a good idea to do the same for other members of the family). A number of companies, such as DNA LifePrint, also sell DNA collection kits. And, companies like DNA Analysis have fee-for-service DNA storage.

3. Preserve your DNA in jewelry form.

   The Perpetua Life Jewel Pendant is composed of your DNA embedded in acrylic and can be made in a variety of colors. There’s also a Gold & Crystal Life Jewel Heart available. They market it for preserving “your animal companion’s DNA,” but nothing stops you from preserving DNA from yourself or your lover(s) and children.

4. Convert your DNA into a DNA art print.

   I’ve already mentioned the brilliantly colorful DNA 11 DNA Portraits before but they’re worth mentioning again. Although, it might give this former lab jockey a few flashbacks.

5. Get your DNA tested.

   Many many companies now offer DNA testing. Some are held to high standards while others are more suitable for recreational purposes. You can get your DNA tested for disease susceptibility genes, gene variants studied by people interested in nutritional genetics, ancestry, and genealogy.

Bonus idea: Send your DNA into the future by having children.

What other cool stuff have you done with your DNA?

This post was written as part of the ProBlogger Group Writing Project – Top 5.

Note: I have no financial affiliations with any of the companies named in this list.

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Tags: top 5, problogger, genetics, genes, genome, genomics, dna, health, medicine, dna 11, fun, cool

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DNA Art

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 1, 2007 in DNA Fun

Richard Hart (one of my favorite reporters) of KGO-TV in the San Francisco Bay Area had a segment on DNA art yesterday. Pieces mentioned:

• DNA 11 prints shown above
• DNA helix sculpture at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley
• Genome Quilts by Beverly St. Clair
• New York Public Library Gene Sculpture

You can watch the video here: DNA As Art Is A Growing Trend.

Ella and Jason Wong, [DNA 11] art collectors:

We wanted to, you know, make sure we got this for our children, so we can see which DNA strands copied over. And we want to see personality-wise, did it copy over, too?

Cute, but no cigar. The level of resolution in the DNA 11 prints is nowhere good enough to be able to conclude anything meaningful. Get a piece of DNA art because it’s fun, not because you think it means anything beyond the fact that yes, we all have DNA.

Tags: genetics, genes, genome, genomics, dna, dna art, dna 11

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