New start date and first contestant for Genomics X PRIZE
July 25, 2012
A poster used to recruit DNA donors (credit: X PRIZE Foundation)
Ion Torrent announced today that it will compete for the $10 million Archon Genomics X PRIZE to sequence 100 human genomes for $1000 each during a one-month period, Science Insider reports.
The prize was first set up in 2006 and was revised last October.
The current rules lower the cost per sequence allowed, increase the time for sequencing, and establish that the 100 genomes analyzed would belong to people age 100 or older.
Unlike other sequencers on the market, Ion Torrent taps semiconductor technology and uses chemistry, not light, to read the DNA being analyzed.
The minimum standard for the X PRIZE is one error in 100,000 bases, but the goal is one error in 1 million bases. The genomes must be 95% complete, but preferably 98% complete and with genes assignable to each parent’s chromosomes..
Comments (7)
by GatorALLin
You have to be over age 100 to participate… not sure I want to wait that long….
by gaoptimize
If they capitalize to demonstrate $1K *cost* then they have every incentive to continue cranking them out beyond the challenge.
by gaoptimize
At $1K each and 1 in 100K accuracy, I’ll take two, and pay for a partial 3rd to vote on the disagreements/errors with the first 2.
by Arctic Poppy
With genes assignable to both parents the pool is limited to males. Right? Or is there some means of assigning genes not on the male chrom.
by anon
http://medgadget.com/2012/07/long-fragment-read-technology-for-more-complete-and-accurate-dna-sequencing.html
by Coran
Am I the only one who see’s this poster as having a very wrong meaning??
by Bill
Nope, no idea what you are talking about Coran, nopity nope. : )