DNAPedia: Wikipedia of the Genomes
Wikipedia is the most famous electronic encyclopedia of today. What distinguishes Wikipedia from others is that the content can be created and edited constantly. The information displayed by Wikipedia is pretty dynamic and flows with the changing world.
Two NYtimes articles on DNA describe recent technological advancements that allow us to "enter" and "edit" the DNA information. The approach is similar to that of WikiPedia.
The DNA of Microbes (about 150.000.000 different species ) are constantly sequenced and fed into databases such as Genomic Encylopedia.
http://www.jgi.doe.gov/program... are
This is like creating novel content on WikiPedia. New information is fed on databases by anonymous scientists.
DNA zinc finger technology allows us to edit DNA sequences. Zinc fingers, small zinc containing proteins sliding regularly on DNA, work like the fingers of a blind men. By touching the bases they read the DNA. When the sequence information is of interest they work on it, "edit", mostly cut the DNA at the specific location and knock down the gene.
Using engineered zinc finger proteins it is possible to make targeted changes on DNA. Currently, clinical trials are underway for zing finger technology aiming to prevent HIV infection of the lymphocytes.
Now, DNA information can be easily entered as novel content into databases and can be edited easily using a software. Millions of blue prints of DNA changes aiming to cure disease can be devised that way.
Furthermore, it is possible to execute these changes of genetic information in reality on people, using technologies like zinc finger technology.
The DNA based opportunities for disease cure is endless.
All we have to do is to update the DNA databases and to make sure that the changes are not on germ-line cells effecting the next generation with unknown consequences.
Related:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12...
