Illumina Hosts App SDK Resource on AWS Cloud & Releases iPad App

Illumina announced yesterday at the BioIT World Expo in Boston that its Basespace Apps initiative will be coupled with the Amazon Web Services' cloud.

The Basespace Apps offering is essentially a software development kit that allows developers to code bioinformatics software tools.

Last October, Illumina launched their BaseSpace service, which provides free data-management and analysis in the cloud for users of its MiSeq sequencing platform.

In order to make Basespace Apps a reality, Illumina partnered with a bunch of companies and small startups including Diagnomics, GenoLogics Life Sciences, Genomatix, Golden Helix, Ingenuity Systems, Knome, Omicia, Spiral Genetics, Omixon, Real Time Genomics, Station X, Integromics, Biomax Informatics AG and Strand Life Sciences.

Illumina is essentially looking to create a version of Apple's App Store, but for bioinformatics software tools wherein users can have at their disposal an eventual ecosystem of software with "one-click access."

In another example of how Illumina is taking their cue from Apple, the company also yesterday announced the release of its MyGenome iPad app. For a cost of $0.99, users can download the new app from Apple's App Store and have access to their genetic data right on their iPhone.

MyGenome includes the following features:

Genome Map — for touring the landscape of chromosomes and visualizing how genetic variants in different locations translate into health impacts or biological traits. Users can view individual genes, their locations, and biological impacts as well as visualize where and how genome sequences differ from the "reference" human genome.

Health Cards — for exploring genetically determined conditions and predispositions, and carrier traits. Users can discover how different genetic variants can contribute to health risks and can be passed on to children, as well as find out how changes in the genome may affect drug response.

Reports — for investigating the possible health impacts of genetic variants for more than 250 conditions

Matthew Dublin is a senior writer at Genome Technology.