Scientists expand their fleet of genomic next-generation sequencing technology to study about cancer

Oct 6 2009

Scientists from the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center (HGSC) are expanding their fleet of advanced genomic next-generation sequencing technology from Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) to accelerate their studies of the genetic underpinnings of cancer and other complex human diseases. Additional SOLiD™ Systems will be integrated into the HGSC’s existing base of genomics analysis technologies. With a total of 20 systems, HGSC scientists will use these sequencing platforms to further conduct comprehensive analyses of the genetic changes that characterize cancer, autism and cardiovascular disease in humans.

The HGSC research developments coincide with the National Institutes of Health Gene Sequencing Programs, including increased support for determination of genetic changes in each of the three disease areas. With the additional genomic analysis platforms and the increased throughput available from each system, the HGSC expects to at least triple its current sequence production.

The development of sophisticated genomic analysis sequencing technologies has opened the door to a new era of life-science research, enabling scientists to completely survey entire cancer genomes within individuals. By creating a catalog of both single base changes, or SNPs, and large segments of DNA rearrangements in genomes known as structural variants, researchers hope to one day identify all sources of genetic variation that contribute to cancer. This kind of portrait of the genetic underpinnings of disease will help scientists to lay the groundwork for the molecular events that occur in the generation of individual cancers.

Richard Gibbs, Ph.D., Director of Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine

“In order to unravel the complexities of genomic disease, we need highly accurate, cost-effective and ultra-high throughput sequencing technology. Our experience with SOLiD demonstrates that the industry-leading accuracy and throughput is ideal for the in-depth analysis of complex genomes.”

Shaf Yousaf, President, Genomic Analysis at Life Technologies

“Baylor’s commitment to the SOLiD platform demonstrates that advanced genomic analysis technology is an effective discovery and clinical research tool that will ultimately advance personalized medicine.”