SAB NewsWinner of the "Tools and Techniques of Neuroscience" Study AnnouncedPosted 7/27/2005 While multiple types of DNA sequence variations exist, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most frequent form of mutation in many genes. Because of their abundance and stability, SNPs are used in a variety of biologic, genetic, and pharmacologic applications. In order to benchmark the current state of SNPs technologies, The Science Advisory Board (SAB) assessed researchers’ experimental parameters, sample throughput levels and genotyping methods. In this study, the Board also queried its members about improvements to SNP genotyping that would most benefit researchers as well as the challenges of integrating genotyping and pharmacogenomics into clinical practice. Over 500 scientists participated in this study, and a summary of their best practices and insights is presented in the SAB "Study Snapshots" webpage. As a token of our appreciation, study participants were entered in an additional drawing for a $20 gift certificate from Amazon.com. We are excited to announce that Karen, a Principal Investigator from the United States, was the contest winner. When asked to provide a comment to the following question, "Where do you see your SNP genotyping research in the continuum of bringing personalized medicine into reality?," Karen replied: "SNP genotyping research, particularly epigenetics, has the potential for not only evaluating individual (not just population) disease risk, but also the power to predict responsiveness to therapeutics, and in the case of epigenetic changes, has value for monitoring of individual patients' treatment responses and the customization of personalized medical treatment plans. Epigenetics may lead to far more accurate assessment of patient prognosis, as well as the design of more effective therapeutics to target particular regulatory gene networks." SAB Member comments to the bonus question have been posted on The SAB Web site and can be reviewed by accessing the study's Insights page. Congratulations to everyone who made this study possible. The Science Advisory Board provides opportunities for its members to earn honoraria each and every time they participate in SAB-sponsored studies. Interested in finding out more? Please visit: http://www.scienceboard.net/about/participate.asp. |
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