Cofactor Genomics (YC S15) plans to analyze cRNA for consumer diagnostics

wired.com

32 points·qasar··5 comments

Hi everyone! Dave Messina from Cofactor Genomics here. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

I don't know much about circRNAs so excuse my naiveness - I wonder if it could be used for gene replacement therapy in the future? Something like, if there is a stop codon somewhere in the middle of a gene, the small piece of circRNA, contains the correct version of that stop codon and is introduced into the cell. Next thing you know, that stop codon is by passed, as the transcription or translation machinery builds an entire good sequence using the DNA and the good code circRNA. Also, since they are resistant to degradation, they might be good shuttle vehicles for tiny 'good copy' exons.

I am not an expert in gene therapy, but I think getting the transcription or translation machinery to read the "good" copy instead of the stop codon would be the challenge there.

circRNA have so much value already as a way to diagnose disease — we're excited about just that powerful capability! Our understanding of circRNAs is just beginning, and it'll be interesting to see what other applications for them are invented.

Will you try to keep your team completely in St. Louis or hire out west?

How will you avoid giving patients medical information directly (e.g. 23andMe issues)?

Hi Jake,

While we have no immediate plans to hire out west, we are changing rapidly and that certainly could change in the future.

We'll be offering our test to patients through doctors and hospitals — imagine going for your annual checkup, and our test is ordered along with all of the other routine blood tests. This is the fastest route for us to be able to get our test onto the market and making a impact on people's lives.

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