The proposed 'DNA Transistor' project from IBM Research is a futuristic step in the world of medicine, whereby the momentous bonding of biology and computing would help create a new chip that would lay the basis a speedy and economical personal genetic analyzer.

With the innovative blend of microelectronics, physics and biology, IBM Research intends advancing personalized genetic analysis, by reading each individual's exclusive DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic acid, sequence - which is the special combination of proteins that distinguish each individual from the other.

The DNA sequencer's reading of the information contained in an individual's genetic code will involve the drilling of small nanometer-size holes - nanopores - via computer-like silicon chips, through which DNA strands would be passed.

Though the basics of the DNA sequencer have essentially been worked out by the researchers, it may still take up to three years to get a working prototype.

According to IBM researcher Gustavo Stolovitzky, "intense research" needs to be undertaken within and outside of IBM, for measuring the electrical properties of the different DNA bases, like capacitance and conductivity.

Noting that with medicines being customized for an individual's DNA, the chances of adverse reactions would be negligible, Steve RossNagel, another researcher at IBM said: "If we could have a big enough database of human genomes then you can see the interplay of genetics. That would change how we approach medicine."