UPDATE Jan 20: Thank you for the support! We are now getting to work shipping your kits!  For those still interested, small numbers of Gold Card 36 Memberships are available at www.talking20.com 

UPDATE Jan 19: If we hit our goal or not, all orders will be filled and kits shipped end of January! It just may take us a bit longer to get you your results!

Introducing low cost blood testing at your fingertips.

What can Talking20 test?

Talking20 has developed a low-cost, at home blood test that delivers results online. It is easy to use, cheaper than lab testing, and can be delivered anywhere!

Each Pack includes specific Spot Cards and everything you need to do your test at home.

Our Gold Card subscriptions also include the T20 Spot Card Case:

Once you've taken your test, just mail your Spot Cards in.  We will run your tests through our machine and you results will be available online! 

What will my results look like? 

How do I get started?

Its easy to get started with Talking20 testing. Pick a Pack, or a Gold Card subscription from our list of perks, and we will send you your first package at the end of January. Use the home test kit, and mail us back your cards. We will send you your first results online!

Use of Funds & Goals

We want to revolutionize blood testing and we need your support! First we will purchase a special new machine - it's called a triple quad mass spectrometer- which will extract data from your spot cards. Then we will start adding different types of tests (Isotope Standards) so you can learn more about your health. We want you to spread the word and get involved! Start sharing your biological data so we can begin to find new health solutions now!

Perk Chart

Support our campaign so we can bring you the next generation of home testing at the tip of your fingers!

Right now we are testing for basic markers. But the more we work with this technology, the more results we will be able to offer you! "Biological App Store" and new emerging tests coming soon such as these: 

Cardiovascular PanelWe’ve made this low cost so it can be accessible to everyone. We want people to do it.  The more people do it, the more powerful it is, the more we learn, the faster things happen, for all of us.

Who Are We?

The Talking20 team combines traditional medical knowledge (and credentials) with what’s now possible in the new Information Age. As a recent graduate, Heather Heine MD PhD  was inspired to create an ecosystem of health awareness and discovery, so we designed a low-cost system that simplifies testing and brings it directly to the consumer.  She is joined by Scarlett, Kyle, John, Regan and Gerardo (see below).  

See our blog for more information about us. 

Media Coverage

KQED (on NPR) The California Report. December 7, 2012.

Sensor Mania! The Internet of Things, Wearable Computing, Objective Metrics, and the Quantified Self 2.0. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks. 

Biotech Start-Up Talking20 to Provide DTC Proteomic and Metabolomic Testing. Proteomonitor.

Our Campus: Heather Heine, multitasker extraordinaire. The Ubyssey.

How does the Talking20 technology work?

Talking20 is taking proven technologies: (1) dried blood spot collection (done for every newborn in developed countries) and (2) mass spectrometry (used in labs everywhere), and innovatively bringing them together.  We believe that actionable information about our bodies are available by looking at our proteins and metabolites. That’s where we need to be looking.  Danny Hillis of Applied Minds does a amazing job of explaining this concept in in his talk at TEDMED.

Mass spectrometry is a very sensitive method for counting molecules from blood, and is actually used as the ‘gold standard’ to set up hospital tests.  With a bit of extra work, mass spec can also be used to measure every other molecule too. Without visiting a lab or even leaving your home, you can now just put a few drops of your blood on a card and mail it to us at room temperature from anywhere in the world! We can then do the analysis and tell you your results wherever you are!

Play with your data

Talking20’s commitment is to make this testing as economical as possible, so you can do it whenever you want.  Heather has personally tracked her hormones and cholesterol every few days to learn more about her own life events and diet. Talking20 is also offering a cortisol test so we can start watching stress levels in response to different types of exercise!

At Talking20, we want to make many different tests available, so you can start finding out about what is happening inside you.  Each of these tests would normally require you go into the doctor, then into a lab to get a blood draw, and then back to the doctor, and would likely cost $300-500!  We believe we can do better!

Prevention can be a cure

Your internal organs, such as your liver and kidneys, are all communicating with the doctor through the blood tests we order.  There is no reason why we can’t produce this information early, and then see a doctor if concerns arise.  In the future, we hope to offer cancer tests from blood spots, so we can identify diseases before they even get started! 

We created this program in an effort to empower people to engage in their own health. We believe it has the potential to change the way we deliver health services and prevention worldwide. Talking20 is 100% committed to making this happen!

FAQ

What is this about?

Your body is talking to you, but you haven’t had the opportunity to know exactly what it is saying until now. Are those supplements working for you? Has your diet change impacted your cholesterol for the better? Exactly how high is your stress? Talking20 will test your blood and post results on a private profile just for you. The more you test and track, the more you can understand your body. Knowledge is power.

Who can order this?

Anyone. Talking20 is designed as a tool for wellness for everyone in our communities. That is why we made it easy to use, cost effective and accessible to anyone.

Are more tests coming?

Yes! The more successful our campaign is, the more funds we can dedicated to providing more tests. Help us sell more starter packs by spreading the word about Talking20!

How much does Talking20 testing cost?

We have bundled our packages such that each test is as economical as possible, while still allowing us to raise funds we need to get our first set of mass spec equipment.   After this we plan to bring the prices even lower to $2-5 per test!  For a short time we are also offering subscriptions in  the Gold Card Packs.  Subscriptions with our Gold Card Packs include the T20 Price Guarantee. Your tests will actually cost you less over time as we continue to add hundreds of tests to our panels and you get those automatically.  If after 1 year of your subscription, if we aren’t giving you effective value of $2 a test or better for the remainder of your subscription, we will refund your package so that’s what it costs you.

When will I get my results?

We will be testing and posting results in the order we receive the cards. Those who purchased tests first will receive results first. With enough funding, we are hoping to start launching result profiles in the spring. Once we get on a roll, we intend to post your results within one  week after receiving your card.

How can this make a difference in cancer and other diseases?

Talking20’s goal to discover and treat diseases at their infancy. The more data we collect, the more we understand, the more we can impact general health for everyone.  We are optimizing tests for cancer markers in house, and plan to offer these tests as soon as possible.

How much do the return envelopes cost?

Return envelope containing a card is a standard size letter and will require one stamp. As we are sending packages around the world, we are currently leaving adding the stamp in your hands.  Feel free to collect your cards up and put a few into one envelope before sending them to save more.

How do I collect the spots? How does the lancet work.

Your kit includes complete instructions.  Blood spot testing is pretty quick, you just press the 1mm lancet firmly against your finger and you feel a quick 'bee sting', exactly what diabetics experience several times a day when checking their blood sugar.   Even after doing 10-20 of these tests at once, we can say its hard to tell you did it at all the next day.  As warm fingers are best for spots, we recommend you warm your fingers under hot water before doing the test, but feel free to figure out what works best for you. We suggest you collect spots from the outside tip of the fingers as there's great circulation there and you'll hardly notice you did it.

How are the Packs different?

A single pack includes your T20 Spot Card(s), alcohol swabs, bandaids, 3 lancets per card (2 are extras), instructions and return envelopes.  

How much to mass spectrometers cost? How long until I get results?

Mass specs vary depending on features and capabilities.  We are able to get a used machine for under 100K, and up to a fully automated card punching machine for 600K.  Due to demand, if possible we plan to get several of these machines to allow us to get results out as quickly as possible.

If I get one of the Gold Packs, can I spread my tests over different time periods? 

Yes, you can use your 36 (monthly Gold Card) or 156 (weekly Gold Card) tests over any timespan you like.  Actually, the longer you spread them out the more free tests you will get incorporated into your panel as we continue to offer more and more tests. As a Gold Card subscriber you will get all your tests as they become available with no extra work on your part.  We plan to make additional tests an add-on option non-subscribers may pay for if they like.  

What is the T20 Price Guarantee? 

For Gold Card subscribers, the clock on your 3 years doesn't start until we send you your first results online, and if after 1 year we are not providing you equivalent to $2 per test or better for your remaining cards, we will refund/adjust your subscription so its at least that price.

Later on, when you offer dozens/hundreds/thousands of tests, will they still be on the same card.  

Yes, we will analyze your blood and provide you with those results in exactly the same way.  There is no extra work on your part. If we make any improvements to our T20 Spot Cards, we will make those cards available free of charge to all subscribers.  

Later on, when we can do dozens/hundreds/thousands of tests, will they still be on the same card.  

Yes, we will analyze your blood and provide you with those results in exactly the same way.  There is no extra work on your part. If we make any improvements to our T20 Spot Cards, we will make those cards available free of charge to all subscribers.

Will you be able to do some tests with saliva? Or cheek scrapings?  

This is something we are looking into as well yes as part of our continuing research & development efforts to continue to improve what we can offer you.

Will I be able to leave comments on my graphs?  

Yes, allowing you to personally take notes and keep track of what's happening is something we want to make available. This makes your data much more powerful for you to learn from!

Will my data be quantified?  Will my doctor understand the system?

Yes, we will deliver your results in standard units that make sense to anyone who may want to look at the results, including your doctor.  We are also planning to do our tests alongside other testing services done at the same time and publish a comparison for others to see.

Do you have a Privacy Statement, Consent Document & Terms of Service? Will I have an opportunity to sign them? 

Yes, on our website we have our Privacy Statement, Consent Document and Terms of Service for you to review. At the moment, these documents are based on the same terms provided by 23andme Inc. We are grateful for the pioneering work 23andme has done in this area of policy, and the hard work they have undertaken to make personal information available to the person it comes from. We hope to also contribute to this effort as it continues to develop. When we transition from the IndieGoGo campaign to www.talking20.com, as your personal account is established you will have an opportunity to review and digitally sign these documents. 

How is the Genome related to the biomarkers you mention? 

Good question.  Some definitions might help: 

• "Genome" – The complete set of genes in an organism. 
• "Transcriptome" – All the messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules transcribed from the genome. Gene transcription can be turned on and off therefore it varies with the different cell states and activites. It is now thought that 70% of our DNA is transcribed into RNA although only 1.5% of this is messenger RNA for protein synthesis.
• "Proteome" – The whole set of proteins that can be synthesized by the cell at a particular time.  It is very challenging to elucidate mechanisms of cancer, chronic diseases, aging, and effects of the environment solely by studying the genome. Proteins, not genes, are responsible for the actual mechanical activities going on in all of our cells. Proteomics, the large-scale analysis of proteins, is the most promising contributor to our understanding of gene function in the post-genomic era.
• "Metabolome" - the complete set of small molecule metabolites found in an organism.  The metabolome is dynamic and changing second to second.  Scientists have categorized at least 2,500 metabolites, 1,200 drugs, and 3,500 food components that can be found in the human body.  Vitamins and steroids are some examples. 

Why the name Talking '20' ? 

Proteins are made up long folded strands composed of linear strands of 20 different amino acids.   Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, and a side-chain that is specific to each amino acid.  The 20 amino acids are encoded by the universal genetic code.   

While genetics, RNA transcripts and metabolites are important, at Talking20 we believe that proteins will be the future as far as disease identification and disease prevention.  Every organ tells us what's going on inside it through the proteins it releases.  Cancer lets us know it's there this way too - when it's the size of a sesame seed!  We plan to try to get all the way there, so cancer will someday be the equivalent to a bacterial infection!   Help us make that happen!

Why are Talking20 tests so much more economical than regular blood tests I can buy? 

There are several reasons our testing costs less.  A big one is that you can do Talking20 tests at home and are not required to go into a clinical laboratory for a large arm blood draw, we are able to reduce costs.  Also the methods we use to do our tests are less expensive than standard clinical methods to test samples. Also, it's a choice to keep our costs low, and we hope others will do the same.  We think medical information about our bodies needs to become more economical, convenient and available to us.  We believe that when more of this really important information is available, people will learn more about themselves.  We hope people will share what they learn, and we feel that a more 'open' approach to biological data allows more solutions to be found that help us all.

How accurate are my results compared to other testing methods? 

Talking20 tests are analyzed with technologies based on mass spectrometry.  Mass spec has been around for decades, and is very sensitive at quantifying molecules in very small concentrations.  In fact, current medical testing methods that require a much larger amount of blood to be drawn are actually validated with this gold standard technology.  At Talking 20 we are just applying it directly so we will be just as accurate as any other testing service.  We actually aim to be better. 

How many blood spots do I need to provide?  

Our T20 Spot Kit comes with detailed instructions and a card with room for 5 blood spots to be collected.  One spot can be enough to get your reading, but its more accurate if we have multiple samples and can calculate an average from those.  When applying your blood drop to the card, try to get as big a drop as possible and fill the circle on the card.  It can take practice to figure out where on your finger you might have a good capillary bed to do this, or you might have to warm up your fingers if they are cold!

Please contact our team with your questions and comments: info@talking20.com

More details can also be found at our website: www.talking20.com and follow us @talking20tweets

Please help our campaign by spreading the word about this exciting technology to everyone in you care about!