Applied biosystems introduces system for $10,000 whole genome sequencing

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Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI) today announced a new genomic analysis platform, the SOLiD™ 3 System, that is expected to enable scientists to sequence a human genome for approximately $10,000.

Earlier this year, Applied Biosystems used the SOLiD 3 System’s underlying oligonucleotide ligation and detection technology to sequence a human genome for less than $60,000 [in 4 weeks]. Technical enhancements to the new platform that enable higher sample and data throughput are expected to further decrease the cost of genomic sequencing. The new system is 42% faster so whole human genomes could be sequenced in a little over 2 weeks.

We are still on track for $100 whole genome sequencing by 2012

Whole genome sequencing costs continue to fall: $300 million in 2003, $1 million 2007, $60,000 beginning of 2008, $10,000 now and $5000 by the end of 2008.

UPDATE: Complete Genomics, a startup funded with $47 million, plans to sell full human genome sequencing for $5000 starting in the spring of 2009. They plan to sequence 1,000 human genomes in 2009 and 20,000 in 2010
END UPDATE

– The SOLiD 3 System includes walk-away automation, which facilitates up to seven days of unattended operation. This reduces the need for technician interaction with the platform and increases laboratory productivity.

-The new platform is capable of detecting more than 400 million sequence tags per run, allowing researchers to survey approximately four mouse or human transcriptomes in a single run, while maintaining the sensitivity to detect molecules present at a single copy per cell.

-The SOLiD 3 System is capable of generating 20 billion bases of mappable sequence data per run in customer laboratories, and has demonstrated runs of greater than 25 billion bases of mappable sequence data at Applied Biosystems’ research and development facilities.

-the SOLiD 3 System is expected to be globally available in early 2009.

Intelligent Bio-Systems, a privately held company in Waltham, Mass., says it will introduce a machine by the end of 2008 that might reduce the cost of a genome to $5,000 and perform that work in 24 hours.