Knome, a personal genomics company that launched within the past year, has just delivered the first genomic sequencing to customers according to a report in the MIT Technology Review.
After paying $350,000 for sequencing, customers receive their genetic sequence on an 8-gigabyte USB drive in an engraved silver box. The USB is encrypted and contains special genome browsing software.
For the first time in history, it is unclear how many complete human genomes have been sequenced by scientists. Prior to Knome, we knew exactly how many had been completed. Now, and probably ever after, genomes will be sequenced and analyzed without all the typical fanfare and press releases. Instead of just 2 or 3 genomes, there will soon be tens of genomes, then hundreds, and then thousands.
The article also reveals that, as I had predicted a few months ago, Knome is about to announce a lower cost for its services due to the plummeting cost of genetic sequencing. No word on what the new cost will be.
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