▎WuXi AppTec Content Team Editor
A few days ago, Illumina announced the launch of its next-generation sequencing system. This sequencing system, called the NovaSeq X-Series, can double the speed of sequencing while reducing the cost of sequencing by more than half compared to the company’s current sequencing systems, reaching as little as $200 for human sequencing Whole genome sequencing. The company estimates that more than 20,000 human whole genomes can be sequenced annually using the NovaSeq X Plus System, 2.5 times more than previous sequencing systems. These sequencing systems will dramatically accelerate the discovery of genomic and clinical insights, allowing scientists to better understand disease and ultimately transform the lives of patients.
The cost of genome sequencing has dropped dramatically since the introduction of the Human Genome Project. According to statistics, the Human Genome Project took 13 years to complete and cost a total of 2.7 billion US dollars. In 2006, the cost of reading a single genome was about $10 million, dropped to $100,000 in 2009, and only $1,000 in 2017. The introduction of Illumina’s NovaSeq X-Series will further drive down the cost of sequencing.
▲The cost of sequencing a single human genome has dropped significantly (Image source: NIH)
The new sequencing system uses the company’s XLEAP-SBS chemistry, an innovative sequencing by synthesis chemistry. It has higher speed and accuracy, sequencing up to 2x faster and 3x more accurate than previous technologies, and the size of the sequenced fragments can be increased.
Industry experts say that faster sequencing and lower costs allow scientists to conduct larger sequencing experiments. This could lead to a larger and more diverse database of human genome sequences, allowing researchers to more accurately capture subtle genomic changes associated with disease, leading to the development of innovative therapies and the treatment of diseases.
“As we look to the next decade, we believe we are entering an era in which genomic medicine becomes mainstream. Embracing this era requires next-generation sequencing systems.” Illumina CEO Mr. Francis deSouza said, “We need to continue to reduce the price of genetic sequencing in order to make genomic medicine and genomic testing more widely available.”
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