454 Life Sciences took center stage with yesterday's high-profile announcement that its sequencing machine had deciphered the genome of DNA pioneer James Watson. Michael Egholm, 454's vice president for research, said that it took only two months and less than one million dollars to decode Watson's genome, which was presented to him on two DVDs. The presentation is significant because it marks the steady advance of genome technology. Experts believe that when an individual's genome can be deciphered at a cost of about $10,000, it will open up a new generation of personal genomic medicine, when many people will be able to gain insights into their health risks and the best therapies to use in fighting disease.
- see the company's press release
- read this article from The New York Times