How to sequence your own DNA at home
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
A how-to guide for sequencing your own genome using an Oxford Nanopore MinION device.
The author has sequenced their own genome 5 times with a MinION. The process involves collecting cheek cells, extracting DNA, library preparation, and sequencing. Total hardware costs around $7.5k for the sequencer plus additional lab equipment. Consumables per run add hundreds of dollars. The post details a complete protocol from swab to analysis. The author notes costs are decreasing but still out of reach for most people. The resulting data can be queried via tools like ClinVar and PharmGKB, but the information is not yet diagnosis-level.
What commenters are saying
Commenters focused on accuracy concerns. Nanopore's per-base error rate was cited as 3-5% historically, though some noted improvements to ~1% (Q20) with newer basecalling and duplex methods. Errors are non-random, so higher coverage is needed to resolve them. Several commenters objected to the author's suggestion that the protocol is "intended to be read by AI," finding it unnecessary. Others discussed tradeoffs between home sequencing and services, noting privacy benefits but lower accuracy. One commenter suggested a commercial service at $599 for 30x coverage.