I have discussed collaboratories in the past in this blog and their role in collaborative innovation. Today sees the announcement of one that will combine the respective talents of Roche and IBM.
This collaboration involves Roche's science, expertise and research and IBM's DNA Transistor (a novel nanopore-based sequencer technology). It has the potential improve sequencing throughput and reduce costs to achieve the vision of whole human genome sequencing at a cost of $100 to $1,000; down from the $20,000-$30,000 that is costs today.
Quick and reliable DNA sequencing could help Roche find patients that react best to specific drugs, helping reduce side-effects and drug development costs. The deal should accelerate Roche's understanding of diseases at a molecular level. One hopes that this can provide the insights that help identify drug targets, pathways and accelerate the development of healthcare solutions for the world's unmet medical needs.
Check out more on this youtube video link
Schematics of the DNA transistor operation for the control of the translocation of a DNA through a nanopor
A membrane containing the nanopore, funtionalized with metal contacts (orange) separated by dielectric materials (lime), devides a reservoir into a top part containing an ionic solution with a high concentration of single stranded DNA, and a bottom part, where the DNA will be translocated to. The DNA on the top reservoir is induced to go to the bottom reservoir by the action of a biasing voltage. In the absence of anything else, the DNA would translocate through the pore at a speed of several million bases per second. To control the passage of DNA trhough the nano-hole, voltages of appropriate polarity (not shown) are applied to the metal contacts inside the pore, which create an internal electric field that trap the DNA. By alternating the trapping voltages applied to the metal contacts, the DNA can be made ratchet from the top to the bottom reservoirs in a controlled way.See the Press Release Below:
Roche and IBM Collaborate to Develop DNA Sequencing Technology
Collaboration aims to accelerate human genome analysis and enable advancements in personalized healthcare.
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today a partnership to develop a nanopore-based sequencer that will directly read and decode human DNA quickly and efficiently. Focused on advancing IBM’s recently published "DNA Transistor" technology, the collaboration will take advantage of IBM’s leadership in microelectronics, information technology and computational biology and Roche’s expertise in medical diagnostics and genome sequencing.
The novel technology, developed by IBM Research, offers true single molecule sequencing by decoding molecules of DNA as they are threaded through a nanometer-sized pore in a silicon chip. The approach holds the promise of significant advantages in cost, throughput, scalability, and speed compared to sequencing technologies currently available or in development.
"By merging computational biology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology skills, we are moving closer to producing a system that can quickly and accurately translate DNA into medically-relevant genetic information," said Ajay Royyuru, Senior Manager of the Computational Biology Department at IBM Research. "The challenge of all nanopore-based sequencing technologies is to slow and control the motion of the DNA through the nanopore. We are developing the technology to achieve this so that the reader can accurately decode the DNA sequence."
Ultimately, the technology has the potential improve throughput and reduce costs to achieve the vision of whole human genome sequencing at a cost of $100 to $1,000. Having access to an individual’s personal genetic code could advance the quality of medical care by identifying persons who will gain the greatest benefit from a particular medicine and those who are at most risk of adverse reaction.
"Sequencing is an increasingly critical tool for personalized healthcare. It can provide the individual genetic information necessary for the effective diagnosis and targeted treatment of diseases," explained Manfred Baier, Head of Roche Applied Science. "We are confident that this powerful technology - plus the combined strengths of IBM and Roche – will make low-cost whole genome sequencing and its benefits available to the marketplace faster than previously thought possible."
As part of the agreement, Roche will fund continued development of the technology at IBM and provide additional resources and expertise through collaboration with Roche’s sequencing subsidiary, 454 Life Sciences. Roche will develop and market all products based on the technology.
Roche’s investment in future genomic technologies builds upon the strength of its currently available 454 Sequencing Systems, which generate hundreds of thousands of long, high quality sequencing reads in hours. The technology is available for large-scale genomic analysis with the GS FLX System and for benchtop sequencing with the GS Junior System. Shown to provide significant medical value in targeted resequencing applications for virology and oncology research, 454 Sequencing Systems are poised to be first next-generation sequencing technology to move from the laboratory to the clinic.
For more information on 454 Sequencing Systems, visit http://www.454.com/.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world’s biggest biotech company and an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, and is a market leader in virology. It is also active in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and diseases of the central nervous system. In 2008 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled 36.0 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 9.7 billion francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai, and invested nearly 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2008. Worldwide, the Group employs about 80,000 people. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.roche.com/.
About IBM
For more information, visit www.ibm.com/smarterplanet
This is a great project which go far in tracking new medicines in order to cure diseases. Through developing DNA sequencing technology, they can now trace more illnesses and find immediately the right antidote on it. Goodluck to Roche and IBM.
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