Genome of DNA Pioneer Is Deciphered

June 1, 2007 | Source: New York Times

The full genome of James D. Watson, one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA in 1953, has been deciphered, marking what some scientists believe is the gateway to an impending era of personalized genomic medicine.

J. Craig Venter, who as president of the Celera Corporation started a human genome project in competition with the government, has brought his genome to completion at his own institute in Rockville, Md., and deposited it last week in GenBank, a public DNA database.

Some scientists believe that it will be medically useful to sequence patients’ genomes when the cost of sequencing falls to around $10,000 or less. The cost of sequencing has been dropping so fast in the hands of groups like 454 Life Sciences and Solexa Inc. that some technologists predict the $10,000 genome will be attained in a few years.