The 23andMe DNA analysis kit is on sale for $99, regularly $499. Just use coupon code GIZMODO99. Thank you Gizmodo. 23andMe is a company started by Anne Wojcicki, wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
Here’s how they do it:
Once the lab receives your sample, DNA is extracted from cheek cells in your saliva. Your DNA is then copied many times so that there is enough DNA to use for the genotyping step. Next, the DNA is cut into smaller, more manageable pieces. These DNA pieces are then applied to a DNA “chip.” The DNA chip is a small glass slide with millions of microscopic beads on its surface. Attached to each bead are “probes”—bits of DNA complementary to sites in your genome where SNPs are located. There is a pair of probes for each SNP, corresponding to the two versions of each SNP. Because two complementary pieces of DNA stick together, your DNA sticks to whichever probes match your versions of a SNP.
It takes about 6 to 8 weeks before the results come in. Expect a full review when I get the kit and after the results come in. Very exciting.
