New tech approach to TB diagnosis discovered

Report of a recent study conducted by the University of Manchester and Durham University has shown that there is an effective approach to quickly and accurately identify diseases in skeleton through the use of new technology approach.

The researchers led by Prof. Terry Brown of University of Manchester and Prof. Charlotte Roberts of Durham University made use of a next generation sequencing approach for the study.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered from the University of Manchester in a press statement made available that the sequencing approach has been used in identifying tuberculosis (TB) genes in a 19th century female skeleton which was found in a crypt in Leeds.

The study, according to the researchers, is in a bid to future research the identification of strains TB in skeletons from as far as 100 AD till late 19th century.

The evidence adopted by Prof. Roberts to identify TB genes is the fact that certain strains TB affect especially the sufferer’s spine with and makes a mark on the bone even long after the sufferer’s death.

Prof. Roberts disclosed they studied 100 of the 500 skeletons which showed evidence of TB dating back to the Roman period to the 19th century; the skeletons were sourced from across Europe.

After studying the skeletons, Prof, Brown alongside his team searched for TB’s Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) in the skeletons in a special machine which captured not only one but every gene sequence in the DNA.

DNA usually includes a diagram that discusses the structure of human DeoxyriboNucleic Acid.

Commenting, Prof. Brown said the use of hybridization screening means researchers could search for different strains of TB without missing out other genetic information that could be relevant.

DigitalSENSE Business News learnt that the result of the study was found to be accurate following the use of a more traditional method of polymerase chain reactions which proved the accuracy.

“We’re really pleased with the results of this study and that the technology works,” Professor Roberts declared, saying that it will save a lot of time in the future.

Yinka Awosanya

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