DNA sequencing is generally an expensive business and all sorts of methods have been developed to try to bring the cost down. Illumina, a company out of San Diego, California, now claims to be the first to offer machines capable of sequencing human DNA for under $1,000 a pop. For reference, five years ago that figure was about $60,000.
The HiSeq X Ten package from Illumina includes, as the name implies, ten or more HiSeq X sequencers and is aimed at large, high-throughput labs that can benefit from economies of scale. Each of sequencers can process as many as 600 gigabases (Gb) per day of sequencing data, allowing for tens of thousands of genomes to be scanned per year.
From Illumina:
Building on the proven performance of Illumina SBS technology, HiSeq X Ten utilizes a number of advanced design features to generate massive throughput. Patterned flow cells, which contain billions of nanowells at fixed locations, combined with a new clustering chemistry deliver a significant increase in data density (6 billion clusters per run). Using state-of-the art optics and faster chemistry, HiSeq X Ten can process sequencing flow cells more quickly than ever before – generating a 10x increase in daily throughput when compared to current HiSeq® 2500 performance.
Flashbacks: Illumina Offers Personalized Eco Real-Time PCR System; Illumina Launches MyGenome iPad App for Visualizing the Human Genome
Press release: Illumina Introduces the HiSeq X™ Ten Sequencing System…