Quick DNA Test Could Diagnose Age-related Macular Degeneration


Scientists have revealed how they are currently developing a quick and easy DNA test that will detect the development or risk of development for inherited diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By using a sample of the patients saliva doctors will be able to detect any changes caused by mutated genes within their DNA.

The study has been conducted at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry with lead researcher Juan Diaz-Mochon and could be readily available within the next few months. Due to the nature of many inherited diseases the diagnosis is normally delayed until the patient begins to suffer from tell-tale signs of various diseases. Evidently with age-related macular degeneration the disease isn’t normally noted until later on in someone’s life. Therefore this test could reduce the time spent trying to diagnose such diseases and may help provide a much cheaper and more efficient means of testing than the traditional ones. The test can be conducted and analysed within half an hour and because it is based on a chemical analysis the results do not rely on the enzyme usage normally involved with DNA tests, thus reducing the costs dramatically.

The next stage in development is to continue to test the product further and begin to develop it commercially. Dr Diaz-Mochon also comments that they intend to target researchers who are currently studying the effects of gene mutations and diseases. However, if the DNA test lifts off as intended it could potentially become the crystal ball into the future of inherited diseases allowing prevention and cure before symptoms have even been noticed.

16th February 2010

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