23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMe The Perfect Gift for the Holidays

Genetic counselors are more in demand than ever, filling critical roles at healthcare institutions and companies across the country. However, with two to three job openings for every new genetic counselor who graduates, we’re facing a national workforce shortage.
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In fact, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/genetic-counselors.htm">U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics</a>, the number of genetic counselors needed is expected to increase by 29 percent in the next ten years — which is much faster than average growth across other fields.
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At 23andMe, we’re committed to developing genetic reports that consumers can access on their own. However, we rely heavily on our genetic counselors to ensure that the information we share is both accurate and understandable. 
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So, in honor of <a href="https://www.nsgc.org/page/genetic-counselor-awareness-day">Genetic Counselor Awareness Day</a> (November 8), we’re profiling our very own genetic counselors at 23andMe who make the work we do possible. As an added bonus, we also asked what they love most about their role at 23andMe, especially since their path may not be what others consider “traditional” for those in the genetic counseling field. 
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<h5>Altovise Ewing, PhD, LCGC</h5>
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-216x300.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26686" width="216" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-216x300.jpg 216w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-768x1069.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-736x1024.jpg 736w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-632x880.jpg 632w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-848x1180.jpg 848w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-scaled.jpg 1839w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px" />&#8220;As a Medical Science Liaison, I am able to meld my clinical genetic counseling, research and educator skills all into one valuable experience.  I am honored to engage in purpose-filled work that contributes to our ability to provide an optimal and potentially more inclusive experience for all customers.
Altovise is a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor with seven years of clinical and research experience in cancer genetics. She joined 23andMe in April 2018 as a Medical Science Liaison and focuses on distilling complex medical information for our customers. She’s also responsible for developing external relationships with key opinion leaders and educational development. Altovise holds a PhD in Human Genetics with a specialization in Genetic Counseling from Howard University and received a BA in Biology from Rhodes College. During her training, she spent time at the NIH with the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Cancer Institute. She also had the privilege of providing genetic counseling services to patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 
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<h5>Stacey Detweiler, MS, LCGC</h5>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-218x300.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-26687" width="230" height="316" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-218x300.jpg 218w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-768x1056.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-745x1024.jpg 745w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-640x880.jpg 640w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-858x1180.jpg 858w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-scaled.jpg 1862w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px" />&#8220;I love the people! In my role, I have the opportunity to interact with people from all over the company.  Every day I’m working with people who are passionate about genetics and, just like me, they want to share that passion with others. Being part of a team focused on making genetics accessible and paving a path towards precision medicine is an honor and a joy.&#8221;
Stacey  is also on our Medical Affairs team and has four years of clinical and research experience in perinatal genetics. She’s an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. 
As part of her role as a Medical Affairs Associate, she focuses on product, clinical and educational development &#8212; which means that she helps ensure our product includes consumer-friendly information that’s medically accurate. 
Prior to joining 23andMe in 2016, Stacey served as both a perinatal genetic counselor and clinical research coordinator at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School before providing clinical counseling at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. 
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<h5>Anne Greb, MS, CGC<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Anne-Greb-300x259.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-26688 size-medium" width="300" height="259" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Anne-Greb-300x259.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Anne-Greb.jpg 629w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></h5>
&#8220;For the past three decades I have eagerly anticipated this new era of genomic medicine. What I didn’t anticipate was this widespread popular interest in genetics as people seek to know more about their <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">health, ancestry</a> and other <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">human traits</a>. At 23andMe I have an opportunity to provide educational opportunities for healthcare providers so they take advantage of this enthusiasm and engage their patients in discussions about the role of genetics in health and wellness.&#8220;
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Anne is on our Medical Education team and specializes in developing content to educate health care professionals to better integrate personalized genetic information into the everyday care of their patients. Anne is a board-certified genetic counselor with over 25 years of experience in genetic counseling program leadership, medical education and administration. Most recently, Anne directed the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College where she led efforts to increase the program’s training capacity so more genetic counselors are available to meet the needs of patients and their families. She also served as president of the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
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Altovise, Stacey and Anne are critical members of our team, and we sure don’t give them much downtime. On Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, we’re particularly excited to show our support for their work but that doesn’t mean we aren’t sending our kudos their way every day, too. 
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23andMe’s Team of Genetic Counselors

By: Thao Do, Ph.D.
College professors and students across the country are starting Genetics Club at their universities to educate and engage their peers and local community about genetics.
<div id="attachment_26670" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26670" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-300x156.png" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-26670" width="300" height="156" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-300x156.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-768x400.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-1024x533.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-880x458.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah.png 1032w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Thao Do, PhD, and University of Iowa student Hannah Ericson earlier this year  for a live broadcast from 23andMe headquarters.</div>
One sophomore student, Hannah Ericson, from the University of Iowa visited the 23andMe headquarters this year and shared her  personal experiences in leading and participating in a club at the University of Iowa with Thao Do, 23andMe’s Education and Academia Manager, during the broadcast of 23andMe Live. 
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The club is part of what is called the Personal Genome Learning Center (PGLC), which was started by Professor Bryant McAllister, an associate professor at the University of Iowa.  Prof. McAllister created the center because he wanted to inspire students to actively engage with their learning outside of the classroom through community outreach events. The students know that understanding the science of genetics will be ever more important in the future.
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“I think definitely it’ll come to a point where genetics is influencing everything in our daily lives from the food we’re eating to the clothes we’re wearing and even the medicine we’re being given,” said Hannah. “That’s why I think it’s so important that we help educate other people about genetics, so they have a basic understanding of what’s going on because it’s going to be so important in the future.”
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To that end the student group  gets together each week and supports programming for a monthly community meeting of the DNA Interest Group &#8211; Iowa City. Topics might include genealogy, human trait variations, the societal impact of commercial DNA testings, and even doggy DNA! The group also hosts fun genetics events like the annual Festival of Genetics around National DNA Day, April 25.
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The PGLC is also participating in the 23andMe Genetics Club. Participation in the <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-club/">23andMe Genetics Club</a> is free and the mission is to inspire and support students to have conversations about genetics and its potential impact in society.
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As part of the 23andMe Genetics Club, college students and educators are invited to participate in free educational opportunities throughout the year, like the movie screening of <a href="https://www.thankyouforcomingmovie.com/">Thank You for Coming</a> and a live Q&amp;A session with the director Sara Lamm. The PGLC will be screening the movie at the November meeting of the DNA Interest Group, Iowa City.
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If you are an active college student or educator at an accredited U.S. institutions, join the <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-club/">23andMe Genetics Club</a> to participate in fun educational events. No purchase necessary.
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<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qL_ShuYwYpM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

23andMe Genetics Club at the University of Iowa

23andMe is built on science.  It’s in our DNA.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Research-Icon-285x300.jpeg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-23374" width="285" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Research-Icon-285x300.jpeg 285w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Research-Icon.jpeg 673w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 285px) 100vw, 285px" />
We are a bunch of scientists, and science enthusiasts, who have a mission to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. That means, in part, making sure that our research insights are not walled off into silos that only scientists can see. We want the people who choose to participate in our research to see these insights and how their contributions make a difference.
While we take a traditional approach to rigorous scientific inquiry and publishing our findings — we now have<a href="https://www.23andme.com/publications/"> more than 110 papers</a> that have appeared in peer-reviewed publications, some of which have taken months and often years to complete — we also occasionally take a lighter approach to sharing insights from customers who have consented to participate in research.
So we’re excited to be able to share these insights back with our customers during times like Halloween, when we can dig into breakdowns of our customers’ genetic predispositions for sweet vs. salty foods. Here’s a sneak peek:
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<ul>
<li>Based on their genes, women in their 90&#8217;s are predicted to prefer sweets more than women in any other decade of life. While for men, it is in their 70s.</li>
<li>As for regional breakdowns, a higher fraction of people in Oregon are predicted to prefer sweet foods compared to the rest of the country. On the other hand, Hawaii has the highest fraction of customers predicted to prefer salty foods.</li>
</ul>
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One thing to keep in mind is that these are trends that 23andMe has observed based on genetic data from customers who have consented to participate in research. There are many reasons why the predisposition for a sweet food preference may differ between groups or regions, including differences in the ancestral backgrounds of people in a particular segment of the data, or simply random chance.
These fun and engaging findings all benefit from the same innovative data rich research model that 23andMe pioneered, and the deep expertise that our scientists bring to the table. Some of these findings are preliminary, most will never make it into a report or end up in a scientific journal, but they represent another way to share our research and engage with people in the science.
And sometimes these odd findings point to something worthy of deeper study. Can you smell <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1000993">asparagus pee</a>?

Big ‘R’ and Little ‘r’ Research at 23andMe

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 23andMe authorization to offer reports to customers on <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/">pharmacogenetics</a>, indicating how customers’ genetics may influence the way they metabolize certain medications.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-26661 size-medium" title="pharmacogenetics" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-300x157.png" alt="" width="300" height="157" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The decision marks the first time the FDA has <a href="https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm624753.htm">authorized</a> a direct-to-consumer genetic test for pharmacogenetics.

<h6> Pharmacogentics Test</h6>
“We&#8217;ve continued to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-note-to-our-customers-regarding-the-fda">innovate through the FDA</a> and pioneer safe, effective pathways for consumers to directly access genetic health information,” said 23andMe co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki. “Pharmacogenetic reports are an important category of information.  I believe this authorization opens the door for consumers to work with their health providers to better manage their medications.”
The authorization allows for the reporting of <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/DEN180028.pdf">variants in multiple genes</a> that impact how well an individual metabolizes certain medications.  For example how well they metabolize clopidogrel. Clopidogrel is commonly prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes. These genes are associated with response to more than 50 other commonly used medications.
<h6>Genetics Test for Medications</h6>
The authorization allows us to provide customers with information on whether they are fast or slow metabolizers. And we can report on whether they may experience reduced efficacy, or have an increased chance of side effects from certain medications.
It has long been established that genetics influence how people respond to different medications. Certain medications have for many years included labeling with pharmacogenetics information. The FDA started listing these in 2009. However, people often only learn that they process a medication differently after they begin taking it.
<h6>FDA and Pharmacogenetics</h6>
This latest <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/pharmacogenetics-report">FDA authorization</a> follows several years of work by 23andMe. This work led to four separate FDA de novo authorizations for direct-to-consumer genetic tests. Those authorizations are for carrier status, genetic health risk reports, select BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, and now <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pharmacogenetic reports</a>.
Each has included an extensive FDA review process. The process required 23andMe to submit studies demonstrating that our reports are scientifically valid and understandable for consumers. 23andMe also had to show that the results are analytically reliable.
<h6>Comprehension and Accuracy</h6>
In order to demonstrate this, 23andMe showed its tests have greater than 99 percent accuracy. Further, 23andMe had to demonstrate at least 90 percent user comprehension of the key concepts communicated in the reports.
User comprehension was an important part of the FDA’s evaluation of the pharmacogenetics reports. In this case it was not just looking to ensure that consumers understand the reports but also that they wouldn&#8217;t impact “treatment adherence.” That refers to whether or not a customer would stick to their prescribed treatment of a medication or whether a report would lead them to change or stop treatment. Our study showed that more than 97 percent of users understood that they should not use the report to make any changes to treatment without consulting their doctor.
Finally, the decision <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/fda-clearance">continues the commitment</a> made by 23andMe to return all the types of genetic health information to customers that it offered before received an FDA warning letter in 2013.

23andMe Pharmacogenetics Report Authorization

This is the third and final set of videos from 23andMe’s new series, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw4rQoo2TiY&amp;list=PLFvkfbvHpp1nPvSN-Bjg2z2WIvCwDviHO">The DNA Download</a>, and it offers a nice way to explain another core focus of the company, our research.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26584" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-300x168.png" alt="" width="300" height="168" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-300x168.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-768x430.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-1024x573.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-880x493.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-1180x661.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM.png 1434w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
As with the all episodes of this series, the ever-enthusiastic Halleta Alemu hosts these videos, which each attempt to make the fascinating world of genetic science a little more approachable. In this set of videos a few of our scientists and specialists sit down with Halleta to explain aspects of 23andMe’s unique people-centered research model, and some of the basics on research in general.
<h6>HOW DOES GENETICS RESEARCH WORK?</h6>
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This video is a great place to start, with 23andMe product scientists James Ashenhurst, Ph.D. explaining some of the basics around not just genetic research but all scientific research. He uses some easy to understand descriptions of the scientific method and how it relates to the kind of work done at 23andMe.
<h6>UNDERSTANDING DNA VARIANTS</h6>
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This video touches on the data that helps fuel 23andMe research engine as 23andMe product scientist Kayla Capper, Ph.D., explains DNA variants. One of the fascinating aspects of genetics is how genetically similar any two people are — we are all 99.5 percent genetically the same. It’s that tiny fraction of a difference that offers opportunities for scientists to learn more about the biology of complex mix of traits that makes us each unique as well as health conditions. Kayla also explains the variants our researchers often look at in their work — single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs for short, which generate biological variation between people.
<h6>BRAINS, GAMES AND DNA DISCOVERY</h6>
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There are many ways we can gather data and in this video 23andMe research survey methodologist Will Smith explains how scientists combine games with neuroscience and genetics to learn how our brain works. Using these so-called brain games, our scientists hope to learn more about the genetics of neurological and mental health conditions. Ultimately we hope these insights will help advance treatment of conditions affecting the brain.
<h6>THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN RESEARCH</h6>
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgMqnNTEbh8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The pace of discovery in genetic research is breathtaking, but it hasn’t benefited everyone because there has been a lack of diversity in genetic research. In this video 23andMe’s research communications scientist, Jey McCreight, Ph.D., tells us why diversity is so important in research, what 23andMe is doing to engage research participants with different backgrounds.
OK, we hope these videos, which were part of 23andMe’s <a href="https://education.23andme.com/">educational program</a>, sparked an interest in learning more. There are other resources, like our <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-101-booklet/">Genetics 101</a> booklet, you can tap that are a part to explore more.

The DNA Download Videos, Part III

By Thao Do, Ph.D.,  Manager of 23andMe’s Education and Academia Program 
One of the most popular experiments in genetics is how to extract DNA from strawberries. This is a quick and simple experiment that you can do at home or in the classroom and is excellent for kids and adults of all ages.
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At 23andMe, we love to demo this experiment at family events and conferences to bring the tiny, invisible world of DNA to life. When people can see, touch, and interact with the white clumps of strawberry DNA, they often have an Aha! Moment. For most people, this simple way to extract DNA from strawberries is the entry point into genetics education.
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All the materials that you need are everyday-materials that you might find in your home. Below you’ll see a recipe and discussion guide so you can try this experiment as well.
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You can also check out this clip from 23andMe DNA LIVE event, where Thao Do, 23andMe’s Education and Academia Program Manager, shows studio sports host Mike Yam and 4th grader, Arden Lee, how to extract DNA from strawberries.
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Strawberry DNA Extraction Recipe
Materials
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
1 resealable plastic bag
3 strawberries
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
½ cup of water
1 tsp table salt
2 tsp dishwashing liquid
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Tip: Use clear or light color liquid so you can see the color contrast between the red strawberry solution and clear rubbing alcohol. Other color dishwashing liquid or detergent are ok too.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
½ cup rubbing alcohol (95-99% isopropyl or ethanol)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
1 coffee filter or paper towel
1 clear cup or test tube
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Tip: You can buy test tube at a very low cost on Amazon
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
1 coffee stirrer or toothpick
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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Protocol
Safety Caution: Be careful when handling the rubbing alcohol and make sure it doesn’t get into your eyes or mouth.
<ol>
<li>Pull off green leaves on the strawberries</li>
<li>Put 3 strawberries into the resealable plastic bag, push the air out of the bag, seal it, and gently smash the strawberries for a few minutes.</li>
<li>In a cup, mix ½ cup of water, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tsp dishwashing liquid. </li>
<li>Add 2 tsp of this liquid into the bag with the strawberry. </li>
</ol>
Tip: You don’t have to accurately measure these liquids. Approximations will work just fine here.
<ol>
<li>Reseal the bag and gently mix the smashed strawberry with the salt and dishwashing liquid solution for a few more minutes</li>
<li>Put a coffee filter or paper towel over an empty cup or test tube</li>
<li>Pour the strawberry solution over a coffee filter or a paper towel to filter out any big strawberry pieces. Let the strawberry mixture filter into an empty clear cup or test tube.</li>
<li>Tilt the empty clear cup or test tube and gently pour the rubbing alcohol so the alcohol forms a layer on top of the strawberry liquid.</li>
</ol>
Tip: Some recipes call for chilling the rubbing alcohol in the fridge or freezer before the experiment. In our experiences, this doesn’t make a noticeable difference. You can just use room-temperature rubbing alcohol.
<ol>
<li>Wait for a few minutes. You should see white clumps and strings forming at the middle layer between the strawberry solution and rubbing alcohol &#8211; this is the strawberries’ DNA. (Kids often think this looks like “snot”!)</li>
<li> Use the coffee stirrer or toothpick to swirl the DNA around and pull it up.</li>
</ol>
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Discussion points:
<ol>
<li>The cell&#8217;s genetic and hereditary information are stored in DNA.</li>
<li>A single strand of DNA is very tiny (nanometer-scale, much smaller than a strand of hair) so we cannot see it with our eyes. We need a very powerful microscope to see individual strands of DNA. </li>
<li>In this experiment, we use different chemicals to extract the strawberry DNA and make them clump together so we can easily see the strawberry DNA with just our naked eyes.</li>
<li>The dishwashing liquid helps pop open (lyse) the strawberry cells, releasing the DNA into solution. (This is why we use dishwashing liquid to clean our dishes &#8211; the detergent chemical can break down food remains, grease, and pop open any bacterial cells to keep your dishes sparkling clean.)</li>
<li>Salt is added to separate DNA from non-DNA parts, like cell walls, proteins, and other substances.</li>
<li>Rubbing alcohol causes the DNA to come out of solution and clump together (precipitate), which makes it easier to see with the naked eyes.</li>
<li>Strawberries are the perfect choice for a DNA extraction experiment because they are octoploid which means they have up to eight sets of chromosomes. In contrast, human cells are generally diploid, which means they only have two sets of chromosomes.</li>
<li>You can use other fruits like kiwis, bananas, apple sauces to do a similar experiment as well. In our experiences, strawberries are the best choices because they provide a strong color contrast, red liquid against the clear alcohol, and they have many copies of chromosomes so they’re easier to extract and visualize.</li>
</ol>
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23andMe Shows You How to Extract DNA from Strawberries

<div id="attachment_26632" style="width: 209px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26632" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-199x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26632 size-medium" width="199" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-199x300.jpg 199w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-585x880.jpg 585w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-784x1180.jpg 784w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/©Piter2016-23andMe-PierreFontanillas-033-copy-scaled.jpg 1701w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" />Pierre Fontanillas, Ph.D., and a senior statistical geneticist at 23andMe</div>
We know that too much sun is bad for you, but a new statistical model that combines not just data on sun exposure but genetic and other kinds of data can better predict skin cancer risk, according to new research by 23andMe.
Pierre Fontanillas, Ph.D., and a senior statistical geneticist at 23andMe presented these new findings last week at the <a href="http://www.ashg.org/">American Society of Human Genetics</a>&#8216; annual meeting in San Diego.
“We aimed to validate previously known skin cancer risk factors, add detail to these and explore potential new ones, and find out whether and how these factors might interact with genetic risk,” Pierre said.
Using genetic and phenotypic data from more than 210,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, the team created a statistical model that used a genetic risk score incorporating not just 150 genetic variants associated with three forms of skin cancer, but also other data on such things as family cancer history, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/skin-pigmentation/">skin pigmentation</a>, and sun exposure.
The model offered much stronger risk estimates for all three forms of skin cancer than genetic factors alone.
Because this initial work included data primarily from customers with European ancestry, the researchers plan to expand the study to include data from individuals with non-European ancestry. Also, they hope to improve how they estimate sun exposure and further refine the genetic risk score. The goal is to develop risk estimates accurate enough to be used clinically and at an individual level, according to the researchers.
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<h6>23andMe at ASHG</h6>
Among the nine thousand people who converged on San Diego for the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, were more than 50 scientists and researchers from 23andMe.
In addition to two presentations, one on skin cancer by Pierre Fontanillas, Ph.D., (see post), and another on uniparental disomy done by former 23andMe intern, Priyanka Nakka, Ph.D., 23andMe had more than a dozen presentations on wide variety of findings around mosquito attractiveness and bite response, the genetic architecture of BMI, as well as genetic association for sleep apnea.
You can see more details on all of our posters and presentations <a href="https://research.23andme.com/publications/#conference">here</a>.
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A Better Way to Predict Skin Cancer Risk

Food is the secret spice of every culture, and these rich customs find their expression in kitchens of almost every household around the world. Sharing those customs and the experience of cooking a meal with your family helps deepen those cultural and familial bonds, while also being fun and delicious. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ludo-in-the-Kitchen-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26623" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ludo-in-the-Kitchen-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ludo-in-the-Kitchen.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />That is what is so enticing about cooking based on your ancestry. Whether you’re inspired to try new ingredients from your ancestral origins or want to try to make traditional food from regions you never knew you had ties to, there are many delicious discoveries to be made through your DNA. 
That’s partially why 23andMe partnered with one of the world’s top 50 chefs, <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/topic/ludo-lefebvre">Chef Ludo Lefebvre</a> for Season 7 of his FoodAndWine.com cooking show. Chef Ludo took a 23andMe test, and found he has more than just French ancestry. In the first episode of his FoodAndWine.com show, ‘Ludo a la Maison,’ Chef Ludo cooked up a chicken a la crème inspired by his newfound Belgian roots. 
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Tune in every week on Wednesdays, to find out what, and from what part of his DNA, Chef Ludo is cooking up! 
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Check out the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOfrOnucF4g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">preview</a>.
<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mOfrOnucF4g" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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Latest Posts — Page 74