From the press release:

Navigenics’ Physician Portal

…Navigenics has developed the ability for physicians, with the approval of their patients, to receive and easily review patient genetic results online, with easy access to condition information, action steps, and original scientific research. Access to the physician portal is free to physicians who register their practices.

Annual Insight Service

Navigenics’ Annual Insight service retails for $499 and analyzes an individual’s genetic predisposition for ten common health conditions (nine each for men and women), including breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and heart disease.

Annual Insight also includes one hour of genetic counseling and if the consumer chooses to upgrade, the cost can be applied to the more comprehensive Health Compass service that includes a genome-wide scan, 24/7 genetic counseling, and ongoing updates for $2500.

Interesting little summary on the history of Illumina.

They look through your DNA and discover your genetic code.

via business|bytes|genes|molecules

• 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.

With the threat of Alien Invasion growing ever closer & the distinct possibility that “they” are already here, it’s about time we had a device to detect the humans from the human-oids. The Biohazard wrist scanner probes the immediate vicinity for Alien DNA & displays the results so that you may assess the threat level.

Available for just $179.29 plus free shipping.

HT: Boing Boing

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?

Based on recent advances in DNA analysis technology, the Gene Essence(TM) test provides customers with personalized genetic information that is unique to each individual. The web-based service enables customers to learn which inherited traits they may have acquired and provides individuals with access to the latest research results in the rapidly expanding field of genome analysis. Customers can learn how the genetic markers in their genomes relate to a large number of health-related conditions which have been published in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Dr. Ivan Labat, Sr. Director of Research and Product Development, claims the Gene Essence test is “the most comprehensive personalized genetic test available.” That may be but I can’t find the product on the BioMarker Pharmaceuticals website so even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t know how to order it!

Other products offered by BioMarker Pharmaceuticals include aging intervention technologies incorporating nutraceuticals BM-A1 and BM-A2, “proprietary herbal combination formulas.” The company is also doing research into calorie restriction.

NB: I’ve emailed the company for more info.

Update: I missed the Gene Essence website in the press release – http://GeneEssence.com (the site seems to take a long time to load in Firefox).

The £2 coin from the UK you see on the left was minted in 2003 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery of DNA’s double helix . It was designed by sculptor John Mills. This DNA coin is now available on e-Bay UK for a starting bid of £0.99. Auction ends on January 27, 2008 at 21:26 GMT.

Applied DNA Sciences uses DNA markers from botanical sources. They rearrange the markers into unique encrypted sequences then embed the DNA onto consumer products that need to be protected, including drug tablets and capsules, banknote threads, holograms, artwork, and collectibles. The company claims that the markers embedded in indelible SigNature DNA ink is safe to consume.

There are varying levels of product verification:

• A SigNature DNA Encryption Pen can be used to detect the presence of their proprietary overt ink.
• An instant reader can be used to detect DNA.
• Portable PCR machines can produce “absolute authentication” in less than 30 minutes.
• Forensic-level, authenticated PCR.

PCR DNA amplification is performed using specific primers that can only be synthesized if the unique encrypted DNA sequence is known.

Applied DNA Sciences states that false positives occur in less than 1 in 1 trillion cases and can authenticate at levels acceptable for forensic use. The SigNature Program is effective against counterfeiting, product diversion, piracy, fraud and identity theft.

NB: More about DNA marking of property in the UK at UK Crime Prevention.

HT: Trish

Too much salty food this holiday season has made me perpetually thirsty. When I typed [thirst quenching drink] into Google, the first result I got was one for ‘Google Gulp (BETA)™ with Auto-Drink™ (LIMITED RELEASE), a line of "smart drinks" designed to maximize your surfing efficiency by making you more intelligent, and less thirsty.’

Think a DNA scanner embedded in the lip of your bottle reading all 3 gigabytes of your base pair genetic data in a fraction of a second, fine-tuning your individual hormonal cocktail in real time using our patented Auto-Drink™ technology, and slamming a truckload of electrolytic neurotransmitter smart-drug stimulants past the blood-brain barrier to achieve maximum optimization of your soon-to-be-grateful cerebral cortex.

Sounds like the perfect drink! The only way you can get a bottle of Google Gulp is by turning in a Gulp cap to any local retailer. Looks like I’ll have to hit up my sister for one.

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