Name: Solving medical mysteries
Uploaded: 2009-01-29T07:41:00Z
Duration: 15 min 52 s
Description: Biochemist Joe DeRisi talks about amazing new ways to diagnose viruses (and treat the illnesses they cause) using DNA. His work may help us understand malaria, SARS, avian flu -- and the 60 percent of everyday viral infections that go undiagnosed.

Biochemist Joe DeRisi talks about amazing new ways to diagnose viruses (and treat the illnesses they cause) using DNA. His work may help us understand malaria, SARS, avian flu -- and the 60 percent of everyday viral infections that go undiagnosed.

Solving medical mysteries

Harnessing DNA microarray technology, scientists have built a chip capable of detecting every known virus, even those that rapidly evolve or are previously uncharacterized. Instead of running hundreds of separate tests, a single assay can decode the viral fingerprints in a clinical sample. This innovation has identified overlooked infections, including a severe respiratory case missed by $100,000 worth of traditional tests, and has even uncovered a new retrovirus potentially linked to prostate cancer. Each discovery opens new paths for diagnosis and understanding of disease.