When it comes to personalized medicine, Big Blue gets it as shown by an IBM research effort to develop a nanoscale DNA sequencer to help drive down the cost of personalized genetic analysis.

According to a recent IBM press release, IBM scientists are drilling nano-sized holes in computer-like chips and passing DNA strands through them in order to read the information contained within their genetic code. IBM's effort to demonstrate a silicon-based “DNA transistor” could soon make it possible to read DNA easily and quickly.

Now, fast forward and imagine a day when knowing patients specific genotypes is widespread. That information could be effectively applied to cancer treatments, making cancer a more manageable, chronic disease. Doctors would be able to know which drugs and what dosages as well as which treatments will have positive and negative effects on individual patients based on their genetic “subsets.”

Exactly what such devices will look like is uncertain, but there surely will be opportunities for device makers and their supply chains. IBM's prototype DNA sequencing device is under development, and CEO Sam Palmissano is understandably excited. While announcing the research effort during a talk delivered at the Cleveland Clinic on “Innovation, IT and Health Care,” Palmissano likened today's advancements in healthcare technology, including DNA sequencing, and devices of the future to today's smart phones: “The technology in today's BlackBerry is the equivalent of what was found in a multimillion dollar computer just 10 years ago,” he observed.

He went on to say that the IBM effort will result in personalized genome analysis at a cost of $1,000, or less. A company press release predicts it could be eventually be as low as $100. In comparison, the first sequencing ever done by the Human Genome Project (HGP) cost $3 billion. For more on the HGP, visit http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml.

It may not be ready for prime time yet, but personalized healthcare based on DNA sequencing will happen, and device makers will play a key role in delivering the technology.

For more on the Cleveland Clinic Innovation Summit, turn to page 8.