Researchers in U.S. claim that they have developed a new method to identify genes that might affect human health. Researchers from Translational Genomics Research Institute or TGen believe that the new method is faster and less expensive as compared to existing methods for the identification of genes. The TGen researchers found a way to index portions of nearly 3 billion-base human genetic code, making it easier for scientists to zero in on regions most likely to show variations in genetic traits. The method involves the use of bar codes, not unlike those found in grocery stores. The study was led by David Craig, the associate director of the institute's neurogenomics division. Researchers believe that the new method should cost 1/10, or less, of the current cost of sequencing genes. 

Craig added: "It (the new method) provides us a way to immediately use next-generation sequencing technology for studying hundreds to thousands of individuals." 

John Pearson, the head of TGen's Bioinformatics Research Unit, said: "In many cases, rather than sequencing the whole genome for 10 people, researchers would rather sequence a dozen genes for 1,000 people.'' 

In the new method, TGen scientists adapted an exciting new technology known as "next generation sequencing'' to allow samples to be run and analyzed using 15 well-characterized indexes. 

Dr. Matthew Huentelman, an investigator in TGen's Neurogenomics Division said that the TGen scientists are now attempting to merge this indexing approach with sequence-capture methods currently under development in their laboratories, which would further improve the cost savings and speed.

Researchers claim that the new method would allow scientists worldwide, to more easily tune their sequencing experiments, and conduct their experiments with greater speed.