There is no
doubt about that, big data has a potential of generating $38 billion annual
revenue, $165 billion in clinical operations and $105 in R&D. But,
what is the big deal of big data?
According to Rob
Friehl, Chairman of PerkinElmer, ⅓ of the revenue of PerkinElmer are
generated from detection and imaging instruments. Detection involves using different
types of data such as mass spectrometer etc. and looking at minute details. It
is referred to as “finding an individual cash chip on the Vegas strip and
knowing its exact chemical composition”. Big data is the new frontier in
competition in the healthcare sector as it allows synthesis of large volume of
data from a variety of sources at high velocity.
With the use
of big data, a heel prick can detect approximately 54 million diseases and this
process was used successfully on 21 million babies. Big data has enabled
efficient collaboration of different research organizations across the globe
and revolutionized the system by setting up a “self-service” model for
scientists. Big data has allowed scientists to acquire large volumes of data
and connect with other experts in the field using mature technologies.
Another key
challenge faced by the healthcare system is correlation. Currently, 55% of the
drugs prescribed to patients do not work and 70% of the cancer drugs prescribed
to patients do not work. What is needed today is personalized healthcare that
is effective and efficient.
According to Rob
Friehl, 1 genome produces 240 billion bytes of data and if the
interaction of our biological processes with the environment is included, then
the volume of data collected significantly increases. Recent experiments have
indicated the genetics and environment are not mutually exclusive but are
rather interrelated. The idea that environment plays as big a role as
genetics in an individual health was confirmed by studies conducted on
identical twins. The DNA of identical twins are almost identical. However, it was found that one twin might get cancer while the other is not susceptible, for example. The differences stem from chemical modifications in the genes over the years. These epigenetic effects, as they are called, are the result of chemical exposure, dietary habits and other environmental factors.
Thus, big
data does not only help identify disease early by analyzing large volumes of
data but can also help take precautionary measures to prevent it by providing
personalized health care treatment based on epigenetics.
References
Rob Friehl,
Chairman, CEO and President of PerkinElmer talks about PerkinElmer and the role
big data plays in healthcare
Jeffrey
Hammerbacher, Founder and Chief Scientist at Cloudera, Director at Sage
Bionetworks and Assistant Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, talks
about Big Data
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