DNA sequencing is one of the most intriguing areas of scientific discovery, accessing the very blueprints of life. Unlocking human, animal, and plant genomes—the hereditary code—promises a higher quality of life by enabling the medical community to deliver more personalized medical diagnoses and treatments, help agriculture improve crop yields, and discover new energy sources. Sequencing the first human genome took 13 years and cost $3 billion.
In 2012, DNA sequencing was elevated to a new level with the introduction of the Benchtop Ion Proton Sequencer, a game-changer that reduces the sequencing of a human genome from several days to two hours; from tens of thousands of dollars to just $1,000. This breakthrough will enable medical science to affordably use DNA sequencing in its efforts to understand hereditary diseases, expedite a cure for cancer and other scourges, and pioneer new medical discoveries.
