Built-in chip reads genetic information to the smartphone

Illumina, a technology research firm, has announced that it is developing a chip that can be integrated into smartphones and allows smartphones to read your genetic information.

Illumina's goal is to turn your smartphone into a "molecule receiver" , allowing you to avoid or limit the need for a medical examination. In fact, Mostafa Ronaghi, Illumina's CTO has a bolder prediction: "In the future we will not need a doctor, you will be tested (at home or at a clinic) and directly to a I believe this will come true in five to seven years. "

Illumina's biggest challenge is how to simplify gene decoding. At present, Illumia has huge machines for DNA sequencing using techniques such as color measurement, which takes about 30 steps to extract genetic data and run it. This process needs to be simplified to a minimum on smartphones, as some studies require the decoding of 10 milliliters of blood. Illumina researchers are also looking for optimum technologies for decoding DNA on a chip, be it electrical, optical or other technology.

Illumina is a prominent company in the field of genetic engineering, often referred to as Intel's genetic coding. Illumina provides algorithms, brain processes to run DNA reading tasks.

Recently, Pfizer also announced its REMOTE project, a clinical trial technology that does not require hospitalization. This technology targets those with bladder overactive. The REMOTE project has been approved by the FDA to collect data from patients in more than 10 countries, via mobile devices.

Two weeks ago, Apple introduced the HealthKit application to enable devices that could be used to send data to the new Health application, and Google is expected to launch Google Fit to create Google I / O on May 25. / 6 to. Microsoft is not out of the game, sources say the company is preparing its own smartwatch, which can continuously measure your heart rate. It is unclear whether Microsoft has created a platform for its portable devices.

It looks like the smartphone will be more and more useful, it will soon take on the role of a doctor for us, making it easy to diagnose the disease without having to see a doctor.