| Stephen P.A. Fodor |
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[Slide 46]
[Slide 47]
[Slide 48]
[Slide 49]
[Slide 50]
[Slide 51]
[Slide 52]
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[Slide 46]
Besides looking at human diversity for health issues, we can now begin to use these markers to map human similarities as well as the distribution of these markers in different populations. Population theory tells us that 60,000 to 100,000 years ago there was a large human migration out of Africa. As these populations migrated to different parts of the globe, the frequency of these patterns became different in population groups as they became geographically isolated.
[Slide 47]
By applying our ten thousand polymorphism marker chip, researchers found that they could start to track family trees of human migration. In some collaborative work done with Mark Shriver at Pennsylvania State University, we showed how these markers segregate into African, European, and Asian populations by looking at populations in those areas today. So, this technology not only tells us about our historical roots but also relates these genetic changes to the differences among all of us.
[Slide 48]
DNA microarrays or DNA chips will prove to be a very powerful technology to accomplish this. Additionally, they will be invaluable in looking at whole genome expression, candidate gene analysis, whole chromosome genotyping and whole genome genotyping.
[Slide 49]
We are also pushing the technology into very high-throughput applications. We have created a new form of this technology where arrays of different sizes can be mounted on the bottom of a micro-titer plate.
[Slide 50]
In fact, using very high resolution instrumentation, we can dice one wafer into approximately 6400 different chips. Each one of these chips, with current technology, is about one millimeter in size and contains up to ten thousand different sequences. Looking ahead, we can start to think about how to use this technology in different formats and use them as assay reagents.
[Slide 51]
Since the ultimate content on these chips is defined by resolution, we have been working on new technologies which will allow us to go to smaller and smaller feature sizes. Again to put it into perspective, at two microns a 2cm x 2cm chip can hold one hundred million DNA sequences.
[Slide 52]
We will continue to push the technology into new areas. There are many applications of this technology that can be used for the betterment of mankind. Moreover, many different industries can apply this technology from basic research, agricultural research, food testing and to individualized medicine.
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