Sequencing and Analysis of the Hydra Genome
Chapman, Kirkness et al., Nature
An international research collaboration reports their sequencing and analysis of the Hydra magnipapillata genome, and compare it to the genomes of several other organisms. "The Hydra genome has been shaped by bursts of transposable element expansion, horizontal gene transfer, trans-splicing, and simplification of gene structure and gene content that parallel simplification of the Hydra life cycle," the authors write. They team suggests that comparisons of the Hydra genome to the reported sequences of other animals have helped them to elucidate the evolution of several of the organism's characteristics.
Halcyon Molecular Develops Threading Method to Sequence DNA by Transmission EM
At the National Human Genome Research Institute's Advanced Sequencing Technology Development meeting in Chapel Hill, NC, last week, J. Provine, Halcyon's director of nanofabrication, talked about the progress the company has made over the last several years.
Illumina Launches HiScanSQ, Hoping to Lure Microarray Users to Sequencing
The instrument consists of the HiScan Reader, a high-performance array scanner with sub-micron resolution, and the SQ Module, an add-on fluidics device for sequencing.
NIH Developing Genetic Testing Registry to Go Online in 2011
Genetic test providers will be encouraged to voluntarily submit information about the availability, validity, and utility of their tests to the registry, which will serve as an information resource for researchers, healthcare providers, and patients. In addition, the registry will function to facilitate genomic data sharing for research.
Ambry Genetics Adopts RainDance Platform for DNA Enrichment, Sequencing Services
Ambry Genetics, which has a CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory, is using RainDance's RDT 1000 for micro-droplet PCR-based enrichment of target DNA for sequencing.
Two Studies Highlight Ability of Whole-Genome Sequencing to ID Causative Genes in Mendelian Disease
The researchers from both studies said that their approaches will be useful for studying not only Mendelian diseases, but also more complex diseases.
At NHGRI Meeting, Nanopore Groups Report First Successes in Reading DNA
Researchers from the University of Washington, Nabsys, and Boston University reported advances in electronic and optical approaches to nanopore sequencing last week, including one group's first sequence read.
GE Researchers Plan to Sequence Single DNA Molecules Using “Closed Complex” Chemistry Soon
At the NHGRI Advanced DNA Sequencing Technology Development meeting last week, a GE researcher reported forming stable closed complexes between primed single DNA molecules, polymerase, and nucleotides on a solid support in a microfluidic system.
Plummeting Cost of Whole-Genome Sequencing Raises Questions about Longevity of Exome Sequencing
Participants at a recent conference agreed that the cost of whole-genome sequencing will eventually reach a point that makes exome sequencing obsolete, but there was little agreement over what that crossover price might be, or when it will be attainable.
Q&A: Henk Postma on Graphene Nanogaps for Electronic Single-Molecule Sequencing
Postma, an assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy at California State University Northridge, recently proposed to sequence DNA using graphene nanogaps, measuring the transverse conductance of the bases.
Diagenode Bioruptor, CLC Bio De Novo Assembler, SoftGenetics Mutation Surveyor
David Botstein, Francis Collins, Eric Lander, Leena Peltonen-Palotie, Carl Fuller, Fredrik Dahl
At AGBT, Complete Genomics Sketches Route to 1M Human Genomes; Discusses Early Customer Projects
The company's CSO presented a number of early customer projects, including rare disease studies of a family and an individual, and the firm's first analysis of a primary tumor. In addition, Complete Genomics recently provided details about its commercial service.
Illumina Demonstrates 350 Gb Run on HiSeq 2000; Shows Sequencing Apps for New Instrument
During a company workshop at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology conference this month, Illumina representatives and a customer showed results from early projects in which they used the HiSeq 2000 for whole-genome sequencing and gene expression analysis and compared its performance to that of the GAIIx.
