The applications of Big Data in molecular diagnostics.

The applications of Big Data in molecular diagnostics. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2019 Aug 19;: Authors: Wong YKE, Lam KW, Ho KY, Yu CSA, Cho CSW, Tsang HF, Chu MKM, Ng PWL, Tai CSW, Chan WCL, Wong EYL, Wong SCC Abstract Introduction: Big Data technologies instilled an informational perspective to our understanding of the world. However, fundamental issues such as the management and storage of data can create privacy concerns. Heterogeneous types of data pose challenges in reproducibility and standardization. It is now an opportunity for us to help the healthcare professionals, educators, and policy-makers understand the impact of Big Data, and steer the development roadmap to positively impact the molecular diagnostic industry. Area covered: In this review, we discuss the latest trends in applying Big Data to several key areas of molecular diagnostics: metagenomics, Mendelian disease screening, personalised medicine, and metabolomics. The limitations of utilising bioinformatics and Big Data analytic tools are also summarised. We further propose an action plan on how to prepare a new generation of healthcare professionals to step into the age of Big Data through a tailor-made bioinformatics training program. Expert opinion: In order to cope with the development of these powerful technologies, issues of ethics, regulations and data format standardization are urgently needed. Besides, a long-term planning to train medical scientists, pathol...
Source: Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics - Category: Laboratory Medicine Tags: Expert Rev Mol Diagn Source Type: research