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Human genome sequencing pioneer J. Craig Venter has jumped with both feet into biomedical sequencing with his latest venture, Human Longevity Inc., "a genomics and cell therapy-based diagnostic and therapeutic company" that should be up and running by summer. Its ultimate goal: promote healthy aging.
Speaking at a telephone press conference today, the founder and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute headquartered in San Diego, California, announced that the new company has $70 million in startup funds to build the largest human genome sequencing center in the world. Its ability to read DNA will surpass even the sequencing powerhouse BGI in China, Venter says. The firm plans to acquire 20 of the new million-dollar sequencing machines from Illumina, which, when running at full capacity, should bring the cost of generating a human genome down to $1000. "Their new technology finally crosses the threshold that I've been waiting for in terms of quality, volume, and cost," says Venter, who points out that deciphering his genome in 2007 took $100 million and 9 months.
To date, beyond limited...
Speaking at a telephone press conference today, the founder and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute headquartered in San Diego, California, announced that the new company has $70 million in startup funds to build the largest human genome sequencing center in the world. Its ability to read DNA will surpass even the sequencing powerhouse BGI in China, Venter says. The firm plans to acquire 20 of the new million-dollar sequencing machines from Illumina, which, when running at full capacity, should bring the cost of generating a human genome down to $1000. "Their new technology finally crosses the threshold that I've been waiting for in terms of quality, volume, and cost," says Venter, who points out that deciphering his genome in 2007 took $100 million and 9 months.
To date, beyond limited...