November 05, 2009

Firm Says Low-Cost Genome Sequencing Is Possible

THURSDAY, Nov. 5 (HealthDay News) -- A genome sequencing company says it has developed a lower-cost DNA platforming sequence.

Its report, including an analysis of data from three full human genomes, was published Nov. 5 in Science.

The company, Complete Genomics, said the consumables cost for three genomic DNA nanoarrays ranged from $1,726 to just over $8,000.

"We've demonstrated that it's possible to accurately and affordably sequence and detect variants across entire human genomes," Cliff Reid, chairman, president and chief executive of the company, said in a news release from the company. "This high-quality, cost-effective approach to genome sequencing will allow researchers to study complete genomes from hundreds of patients with a disease to advance the understanding of the genetic causes of that disease, with an end to preventing and treating common human ailments."

The company released its findings in a study that describes how they sequenced cell lines from two people -- a white man of European descent and a Yoruban female. Researchers also sequenced lymphoblast DNA from another white man.

The company, which said its techniques save on expenses and have a low error rate, expects to be able to sequence 10,000 human genomes next year.

More information

The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, has more about the human genome project.

--Randy Dotinga
SOURCE: Complete Genomics, news release, Nov. 5, 2009
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