One question I’m often asked is how long it takes to get a DNA result back from the lab. Currently it can be a few hours though a day or two, at best, is more realistic for most labs. But now it looks like NEC is working on a new suit-case-sized DNA analyzer that uses microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” technology and can do the job in about an hour. Their goal is to lower that to around 25 minutes.
This microfluidic technology has many medical and research uses and a couple of the gadgets are roaming around Mars on the rover. This new DNA technology bears watching.
Curiosity Rover
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