Radio Review: The Life Scientific – Shankar Balasubramanian on decoding DNA

Have you ever spent extra time researching a topic that fascinates you? Spending hours reading, and learning all you can? That was the motivation for Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian, an organic chemist at the University of Cambridge, whose love of studying DNA led him to create one of the most revolutionary scientific technologies.

'The Life Scientific', hosted by Professor Jim Al-Khalili, is a series of episodes where leading scientists talk about their life and work, explaining what inspires and motivates them. In this particular episode, Professor Balasubramanian speaks about the technology he discovered, alongside, Professor Sir David Klenerman, that has enabled scientists to sequence the human genome faster and more cheaply than ever. The scientists are credited with developing next-generation sequencing (NGS).

In 2021, the Millennium Technology Prize was awarded to Professors Balasubramanian and Klenerman for developing NGS, (see BioNews 1096), which is the technology behind the 100,000 Genomes Project.

The Human Genome Project spanned over a decade and resulted in the sequencing of the first single human genome at a cost of $2.7 billion. With machines using Professor Balasubramanian's technology, a single human genome can now be sequenced in a matter of hours at a cost of about $1000. Furthermore, companies are now proposing sequencing human genomes for $100.

For the average person who may be interested in learning about DNA, it can be difficult to know where to start. Often there are not many resources that are accessible to someone with no scientific background. The writing in textbooks and the speakers at genetic conferences often require a baseline level of understanding to fully grasp and understand what is being discussed. This is exactly why Life Scientific episodes are so valuable.

The platform offers a fantastic medium to understand DNA sequencing as one of the most ground-breaking scientific technologies. While the average person may recognise its importance, it may be more difficult to understand why it is so crucial. Life Scientific accomplishes this in a remarkably comprehensive and accessible way.

In just 30 minutes, the programme builds up from a fundamental introduction to DNA nucleotide base pairing, to the endless possibilities of personalised medicine and how DNA sequencing could shape the future of the medical field. In the time it takes to wash one load of laundry or a short commute on the tube, you can learn exactly how DNA sequencing could change the future.

The programme allows the listener to build a foundation of knowledge regarding the human genome and nucleotide base pairs, which ultimately allows anyone to follow along and understand the topic. Because of this, when Professor Balasubramanian talked about the use of DNA sequencing in personalised medicine, I was able to adequately follow along with the science. With this knowledge comes the excitement of how this technology could help us understand the genetic basis of many diseases, such as cancer, or aid in the development of new diagnostic tests and personalised treatments.

Personally, I enjoyed Professor Balasubramanian's explanation of how he discovered the technology, and how his original goal was simply to understand DNA in the greatest possible detail.

Driven by a fierce desire to learn, Professor Balasubramanian wanted to watch DNA polymerase – a protein responsible for joining the nucleotide bases to form a strand of DNA – on a molecular level as it stitched together the building blocks of life. In order to do this, he colour-coded the nucleotide bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) with lasers. What he did not realise at the time was that by colour coding each ACGT base, he was inadvertently reading the entire sequence. The creation of this technology was discovered while trying to study something else.

By highlighting the fact that this technology was largely discovered by 'accident', the programme encourages the audience to do their own research and expand their knowledge. Without his innate sense of curiosity and desire to learn more about DNA, Professor Balasubramanian would not have developed NGS as he did.

With a scarcity of resources available to those without a strong scientific background, this podcast comes as a breath of fresh air. It caters to those who are interested in learning more about DNA and how the field of medicine is adapting and changing.