Genome Sequencing Is Here — And It’s Cheap
BOSTON — Quick and inexpensive genome sequencing is no longer a distant reality. A company based in Cambridge has created a machine that can read an entire genetic code in just a few weeks, and for less than $50,000. That’s how long and how much it took for the firm’s founder to decode his own genome this week.
Not long ago, the process took more than a decade and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
To find out more about the gene-analyzing machine, we visited Helicos Biosciences Corporation in Kendall Square, where we spoke with Dr. Patrice Milos, vice president and chief scientific officer of the company.
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Helicos is developing other useful applications as well:http://helicosbio.com/Applications/ApplicationsUnderDevelopment/tabid/89/Default.aspx
The Helicos system lowers the cost of sequencing short DNA strands (much more common in labs), and not simply longer genomes. It may dominate the market for 2-3 years, or possible more, assuming that it can improve its technology. It could also be bought out by another company, as the price is very cheap now.