23andMe
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23andMe
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology |
| Founded | 2006 April |
| Founder(s) | Anne Wojcicki and Linda Avey |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, California, United States |
| Key people | Esther Dyson, Board Member |
| Products | Genetic test |
| Services | Genetic testing |
| Website | 23andMe.com |
23andMe is a privately held personal genomics and biotechnology company based in Mountain View, California[1] that provides rapid genetic testing. The company is named for the 23 pairs of chromosomes in a normal human cell. Their personal genome test kit was named "Invention of the Year" by Time magazine in 2008.[2]
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Contents
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Founding
The company was founded by Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki after both recognized the need for a way to organize and study genetic data, the possibility for individual consumers to use the information and the need for expertise to interpret the results.[3]
The company's co-founder Linda Avey left the company in 2009 and has co-founded a new start-up, Curious, Inc.
Services
23andMe began offering DNA testing services in November, 2007, the results of which are posted online and allow an assessment of inherited traits, genealogy and possible congenital risk factors.[4] Customers provide a 2.5 mL sample which is analyzed on a DNA microarray of Illumina, for 960,000 specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). An eventual goal is to provide whole genome sequencing.[3] In June 2011, 23andMe announced it had accumulated a database of more than 100,000 individuals.[5] The organization also provides testing for certain research initiatives[6] providing confidential customer datasets to, and partnering with research foundations with a goal of establishing genetic associations with specific illnesses and disorders.[3]
An analysis of the results of research on Parkinson's disease comparing 23andMe with a National Institutes of Health initiative suggested that the company's use of large amounts of computational power and data sets might offer comparable results, though in much less time.[7]
In 2008, Time magazine named the company's saliva-based DNA-testing service "Invention of the Year". The service and ability to map significant portions of the genome has raised controversial questions including whether the results can be meaningfully interpreted, and if they will lead to genetic discrimination. The states of New York and California unsuccessfully attempted to block the tests (provided by 23andMe as well as other companies) under the grounds that they were not properly licensed[2] and attempted to require tests to be conducted only when ordered by a physician.[8][9] By August 2008, 23andMe had received licenses that allow them to continue to do business in California.[10]
Investment
In 2007 Google, whose co-founder Sergey Brin is married to the co-founder of 23andMe Anne Wojcicki, invested $3,900,000 in the company, along with Genentech, New Enterprise Associates and Mohr Davidow Ventures.[11]
See also
- Genetic testing
- Single-nucleotide polymorphism
- Maps of American ancestries
- Personal genomics
- Pharmacogenomics
- Genetic counseling
- Genomic counseling
References
- ^ "23andMe, Inc. Company Profile". Manta.com. http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_6k1rd8.
- ^ a b "TIME's Best Inventions of 2008". Time magazine. 2008-10-29. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854493,00.html. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ a b c Goetz, T (2011-07-17). "23AndMe Will Decode Your DNA for $1,000. Welcome to the Age of Genomics". Wired. http://www.wired.com/medtech/genetics/magazine/15-12/ff_genomics?currentPage=all. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ Baertlein, L (2007-11-20). "Google-backed 23andMe offers $999 DNA test". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2007-11-20-23andme-launch_N.htm. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ "23andMe Database Surpasses 100,000 Users". 23andMe. http://www.23andme.com/about/press/23andme_database_100000k_users/. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ^ "23andWe Research". 23andMe. http://www.23andme.com/research/. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ Goetz, S (2010-06-22). "Sergey Brin’s Search for a Parkinson’s Cure". Wired. http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/06/ff_sergeys_search/all/1. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ Robert Langreth and Matthew Herper (2008-04-18). "States Crack Down On Online Gene Tests". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/17/genes-regulation-testing-biz-cx_mh_bl_0418genes.html.
- ^ Jason Kincaid (2008-06-18). "Cease And Desist: California Tries to Unravel 23andMe's Genetic Testing". TechCrunch.com (WashingtonPost.com). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/17/AR2008061702720.html.
- ^ Pollack, Andrew (2008-08-20). "California Licenses 2 Companies to Offer Gene Services". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/business/20gene.html?_r=4&ref=health&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin.
- ^ "Google invests in genetics firm". BBC News. 2007-05-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6682451.stm. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
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