clhs sciblog

At Cambridge University in England, a team of scientist are working hard to be able to sequence a human genome in one day. They have many little samples that they use to help them with the genome, and labeling them was a problem. Now with this smaller-than-a-human-cell barcode made from plastic and cobalt they can keep track of them easily and quickly with a lesser chance of mislabeling them. The code can even be rewritten. They are being further developed so that they can be used for other biological assays. Although this barcode they came up with is not a break through in sequencing the genome, it might just give them the extra help they need.Click here to read more about it.

This barcode may seem like a waste of time, but the ease at which they can be used once implemented is incredible. Also, because they can be used for a variety of uses makes it worthwhile. Since the barcodes work with the charges of the cobalt once it is magnetized, it is simple and works like the barcodes at stores. This is a great advancement to the science world because the risk of mislabeled items will be reduced.