Review: Atlas Biomed DNA test

From disease risks to body traits, Atlas Biomed provides it all – even what type of earwax you have!

Atlas Biomed - DNA test
The DNA results dashboard. Detailing; nutrition, sports, disease risks, hereditary risk and metabolism amongst others. Source: Atlas Biomed

Longevity.Technology scored Atlas DNA test at 22/25
User experience
User interface and user experience: How positive or negative is the experience when using the product?
Value for money
How does it stack-up with competitors or similar products or services?
Proven claims/science
How well has the company conducted or utilised scientific research and studies to validate its product/service?
Longevity specific
How applicable is it to the longevity marketplace and the daily life of a longevity enthusiast?
Usability
How easy it is for a layperson to use the product/service and its associated benefits in the context of longevity?

GO LONG   GO SHORT
  • Easy to use with clear instructions
  • The results do take some time to come back (although this is expected)
  • User-friendly online dashboard
  • Requirement for professional help deciphering some results
  • Extensive results/indicators
  • UK-only at this time
SCORE: 4/5 ***** User interface and user experience: How positive or negative is the experience when using the product and associated apps, login pages, product support and associated services?
SCORE: 4/5 **** How does it stack-up with competitors or similar products or services?
SCORE: 4/5 **** How well has the company conducted or utilised scientific research and studies to validate its product/service?
SCORE: 5/5 ***** How applicable is it to the Longevity marketplace and the daily life of a Longevity enthusiast?
SCORE: 5/5 ***** How easy it is for a layperson to use the product/service and its associated benefits in the context of Longevity?

I’ve always been interested in having my genome sequenced, whether it be due to paranoia about hereditary disease risks, or whether or not I’m likely to lose my hair at a young age (spoiler alert: that process started a while ago!) I had never got round to getting it done.


Atlas Biomed’s DNA test is available to buy from the Longevity.Technology store (UK residents only, sorry)

BUY NOW


Then, along came Atlas Biomed – a UK based company that utilise DNA microarray technology from Illumina in a certified EU lab – and their DNA test.

The process is pretty simple; the sample tube comes in a prepaid, cardboard, postage box and is essentially a plastic tube with a funnel on the top. You simply spit into the tube, seal it and send it off to Atlas Biomed in order for them to work their magic.

Atlas Biomed - DNA test
Detailed reports from the Atlas Biomed dashboard. Source: Atlas Biomed

Between 6 and 8 weeks later, you will receive an email telling you that your results are available online. In the meantime, various informative emails from Atlas, explaining the various results that you will receive once your sample has been sequenced, ping into your inbox. This was a really nice touch and added to the anticipation.

Once your results are ready to view, your dashboard will present some interesting cues such as “disease risk” with a score and “hereditary diseases” with a number out of 315. When you click on these icons, you are taken to the associated pages, such as the “carrier status” page, which details all the hereditary traits you are carrier and thus may pass on to children (useful if you are considering procreation).

Atlas Biomed - DNA test
Detailed results from the dashboard.Source: Atlas Biomed

The test is exceptionally detailed, looking into: disease risk, carrier status, health-related traits, taste traits, nutrient level related traits, dietary response traits, physiology and metabolism, sports injury traits, perception (smell, photic sneeze reflex, etc) traits, body traits, appearance and ancestry.

Each of the traits in the report is then given a sliding scale based on your genetic and questionnaire results, from green (good) to red (bad). What this scale represents and how the scoring is done is not apparent from the website. A great feature of the Atlas Biomed product is their advice and guidance that comes along with the traits. Their ‘insights’ are related to the various results from your test, such as (in my case) the avoidance of caffeine, as people with my traits tend to have a low tolerance/ability to process caffeine.

Science

I am unique – and so are you! DNA, the blueprint for life, contains genetic information inherited from a mother and father. A double-helix, like a twisted ladder, its rungs are made from four nucleotides that connect in pairs. These patterns of nucleotides are a distinct segment of DNA called genes, and they make the codes for all the proteins in your body, which in turn determine your phenotype – the observable characteristics. A person’s genotype is all their genes and what information and characteristics they code for.

Atlas Biomed promises a detailed genetic profile of your health, nutrition, physical activity and geographical ancestry. It includes over 400 traits and indicators and builds a risk profile for 19 multifactorial diseases and carrier status for common gene variants linked to 322 hereditary conditions.

Atlas Biomed - DNA test
The DNA test results dashboard. Source: Atlas Biomed

Different tests, of course, examine different gene variants, and Atlas Biomed investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the nucleotide variants in genes, where a DNA sequence variation of one nucleotide differs in the genome of representatives of the same species or between paired chromosomes.

With explanations of the risk factor for every disease and a list of the studies used to determines the risk score, the Atlas Biomed DNA test provides a wealth of information for the user. The information is detailed, but Atlas say it is for “informational purposes, it is not a diagnostic tool,” so if a user wants confirmation of being or not being a carrier for a hereditary condition, then a more scientific method might be advised by a genetic counsellor.

Atlas Biomed - DNA test
Probiotics and microbiome results. Source: Atlas Biomed

Conclusion:

This genetic testing kit from Atlas Biomed is well designed, well delivered and well… pretty impressive! The dashboard is pleasing to the eye, the results are shown in such a way as not to confuse the user, however, enough reference is made to the associated genes and why they show such results, that the scientific mind is appeased. Having taken the test and spent the time looking into the results, I would happily recommend this to anyone keen to understand a little more about why they are the way they are, where they come from, and what to look out for as they navigate the world.

Atlas Biomed’s DNA test is available to buy from the Longevity.Technology store (UK residents only, sorry):

BUY NOW

Images courtesy of Atlas Biomed
The information included in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this webpage is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.