However, in reality we were able to do much more. By sequencing this family and other families, we were able to use family genome sequencing to eliminate more than 70% of the sequencing selleck inhibitor errors in a family of four, and 90% of the errors in a family of six. In addition, we were able to immediately identify rare variants because they were present in two or more members of the family and hence were very unlikely to be sequencing errors. This is important

since it is the rare variants that are the origins of many diseases. Moreover, we could actually delineate the haplotypes of all the members of the family with enormous precision.17 The importance of the family genomics tool is in its ability to reduce significantly Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the dimensionality of chromosomal search space for disease genes. When searching for the disease genes, we can simply detect the haplotype blocks that the diseased individuals share which differ from the normal individuals and know that the disease genes must reside in these regions. In one such family we reduced the search space to 0.1% (J. Roach, personal communication). This vast reduction allows researchers to sort through the genes in the remaining DNA. In the previously mentioned family of four, we were Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical able to identify four

diseased gene candidates, and it was relatively easy to identify the disease genes encoding each of Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the two diseases (Figure 9). Figure 9. A chromosomal map of one of the offspring with a genetic disease, showing possible candidate genes for the disease. In the near future, family sequencing will provide a fundamental medical record for each of us. The cost of sequencing is steadily decreasing, and within 5 years it will be well under $1,000. Third-generation sequencing technologies, using single-molecule physical measurements, will allow us to read sequences in lengths of 10,000 to 100,000 base-pairs at a time.18 Consequently, the speed of sequencing a human genome will be very rapid (e.g. 15 minutes), Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and the cost will be under $500. All individuals will benefit from sequencing their genome. The benefit is in the isothipendyl identification of actionable

gene variants. Actionable gene variants are defective genes which cause negative health effects, and medical intervention is available for reversing these effects. For example, if sequencing reveals a defect in a vitamin D transporter which has caused early onset of osteoporosis, an available solution would be taking megadoses of vitamin D to reverse the osteoporosis. We have identified almost 300 highly penetrant variants that fall into the actionable gene variants category. Sequencing the genome is a one-time investment, and once a genome is sequenced it can be searched every year for newly identified actionable genes. Sequencing is a smart investment in improving and optimizing wellness and avoiding disease.