NHGRI ups effort to revolutionise sequencing technologies
of innovative sequencing lab technologies to reduce the cost of DNA
sequencing and expand the use of genomics in biomedical research
has been awarded by The National Human Genome Research Institute
(NHGRI).
The grant expands NHGRI efforts to revolutionise sequencing technologies that are expected to fall dramatically in terms of cost and time - two major concerns for any scientific laboratory engaging in genomic research.
Currently, to sequence 3 billion base pairs - the amount of DNA found in the genomes of humans and other mammals - costs $10 million, a figure well out of reach for most research laboratories.
For the most part, the last decade has seen DNA sequencing costs fall by more than 50-fold, fuelled in large part by tools, technologies and process improvements developed as part of the successful effort to sequence the human genome.
The NHGRI said that its near-term goal was to lower the cost of sequencing a mammalian-sized genome to $100,000 (€81,000), which would enable laboratory researchers to sequence the genomes of hundreds or even thousands of people as part of studies to identify genes that contribute to common, complex diseases.
Ultimately, the vision is to cut the cost of whole-genome sequencing to $1000 or less. Such a figure would enable the sequencing of individual genomes as part of routine medical care. The ability to sequence an individual genome cost-effectively could enable health care professionals to tailor diagnosis, treatment and prevention to each person's unique genetic profile.
"The efforts are aimed at speeding the rate at which the next generation of sequencing technologies become available in the scientific lab and the medical clinic," said NHGRI director Francis Collins.
"Not only will these technologies substantially reduce the cost of sequencing a genome, but they will provide a quantum leap in the scope and scale of research aimed at uncovering the genomic contributions to common diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes," he added.
This latest round of grants follows NHGRI's initial sequencing technology grants, which were issued in October 2004.The majority of recipients had been working on technologies to sequence a genome for $100,000.
"It is very important that we encourage and support the variety of sequencing technology projects that hold the most promise for revolutionising genome sequencing. Each research team brings a unique set of skills and expertise to solving difficult scientific and engineering problems," said Jeffery Schloss, NHGRI's program director for technology development.
"The different approaches will likely yield several successful and complementary technologies. It is going to be interesting to see how each technology progresses and which of them can ultimately be used by the average researcher or physician," he added.
