Taiwanese scientists develop fast virus genome sequencing method

 2013/05/07 20:02:59Taipei, May 7 (CNA) Taiwanese researchers said Tuesday they have developed a new technique that significantly reduces the time and money required for genetic sequencing of viruses, which is expected to speed up the process and cut the cost of developing vaccines and anti-viral drugs. The technique is applicable in the fields of genome research, preventive medicine, and the development of personalized medicine, in which medical treatment is customized on the basis of the individual's genetic code, said researchers at the National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) in Hsinchu.The new technique allows genome sequencing of a virus in just one hour instead of one day and reduces the cost from US$5,000 to about US$500, said G. Steven Huang, one of the scientists, who is a professor at NCTU's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.The research, conducted by Huang and Chen Yu-shiun, a professor at NCTU's Department of Biology Science and Technology, will be published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology in May.Huang said current techniques require the use of florescence and other external aides to enable the reading of polymerase synthesis. The new technique requires no external aides and reduces the error rate to nearly zero, he added. Huang said he has applied for patenting of the sequencing technique and is awaiting approval. The new technique is expected to replace the current method as a more affordable, accurate and faster approach, according to Huang.