Photo by DOE Joint Genome Institute <\/p>\n
Above: Older Illumina machines put the price of sequencing a genome around $10,000. <\/p>\n
Sequencing an entire genome for $1,000 or less has long been seen as a tipping point in the field of genetics. At $1,000 a pop, sequencing would be within reach for many patients. And scientists studying the roll of genes in cancer and other diseases could greatly expand their research. <\/p>\n
One San Diego company says they've now succeeded in bringing prices down that low. <\/p>\n
Illumina CEO Jay Flatley announced the price cut today at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. The San Diego-based leader in gene sequencing claims to be the first company to reach this major milestone. <\/p>\n
\"It has come as a surprise,\" said Kelly Frazer, director of the Institute of Genomic Medicine at UC San Diego. She says researchers in her field knew the thousand-dollar genome was coming soonbut maybe not this soon.<\/p>\n
Describing Illumina's new sequencers as \"breakout technology,\" Frazer said, \"It's going to mean a lot for basic researchers doing human disease work. And there's a potential for it to mean a lot for the clinic also.\" <\/p>\n
The system itself is fairly expensive. At $10 million, the machines included in Illumina's HiSeq X Ten package are targeted towards large research institutions for now. <\/p>\n
Though it could be awhile before typical patients see the benefits of a $1,000 genome, Frazer said the impact on her own research could be great. Her lab has been studying genetic risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), a disease that causes potentially deadly blood clots. <\/p>\n
To stay within budget, Frazer currently relies on incomplete genetic snapshots of her 1,2000 subjects. She says a $1,000 genome would allow her to order full sequencing for an even larger cohort, giving her a better idea of who might be at risk for VTE. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read the rest here: Photo by DOE Joint Genome Institute Above: Older Illumina machines put the price of sequencing a genome around $10,000. Sequencing an entire genome for $1,000 or less has long been seen as a tipping point in the field of genetics. At $1,000 a pop, sequencing would be within reach for many patients. Continue reading
\nSan Diego Company Claims Major Milestone In Gene Sequencing<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"