The groundbreaking Human Genome Project took nearly 15 years to complete, and when it was done in 2000, humankind had a map of how our DNA works. Now, scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have developed a handheld device called a nanopore sequencer that has created the most complete human DNA sequence ever assembled. It’s a sign of just how quickly technology has advanced—and how something once perplexing like DNA mapping may one day be commonplace. At this point, only certain labs can complete such a complex process, but in the near future, genome sequencing may be available at doctor offices and clinics. Scientists say it can be invaluable in tracking cancer and other progressive diseases.
