University’s High-Speed Research

RESEARCH into the malaria parasite at Liverpool University is being helped by new technology.

Liverpool is one of only two universities in the UK to install a new machine which can read up to 100 million DNA letters in a few hours, compared with technology currently in use that can only process 50,000.

The machine, called GS-Flex, uses an enzyme found in fireflies as a flash light to help read the genetic code of DNA.

Scientists from all over the UK will be able to use the new technology for a variety of purposes, from cancer research to veterinary science. However, researchers at Liverpool are looking at DNA sequencing of the malaria parasite.

By studying changes in parasite DNA, scientists aim to understand why some species of malaria infect humans, while others might only infect other animals.

Professor Neil Hall, at the university’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “This new machine is invaluable not only for research into diseases such as cancer and malaria, but for our understanding of genetics as a whole.

“For example, we have scientists looking at the DNA of fish in understanding how genes are activated, and we have veterinary scientists looking at how illnesses in domestic pets can be passed to humans.

“We have a team of experts at the university that are skilled in using this technology and we are therefore in a position to welcome collaboration with other institutions in reaping the benefits of this.”

DNA sequencing is usually carried out by hundreds of machines housed in specially constructed buildings. The new machine is no bigger than a photocopier.

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