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I've been reading about Illumina. They have probably the best technology in the world for full genome sequencing. The issue is price discrimination, related to subsidized medical insurance. They can do a full genome sequence for less than $2k. (Some reports claim $1k, but that omits some costs, much like cellular phone plans that headline a low number but then tack on other costs.) But, they don't allow their best technology to be used for retail sequencing under $2k because that would cannibalize and undermine their revenue from their existing clinical deals where they charge much more than that.
Competing technologies may soon enable even cheaper gene sequencing, but meanwhile Illumina has the best, and if it were possible to buy your genome sequence under $2k I would suggest it. Certainly I think it's a much better use of resources than the destructive ionizing radiation that ppl are buying for "preventive care", e.g. mammograms and full body C-T scans. Frugal though I am, even I would pay $1k for a full genome, though Illumina's refusal to retail the service will compel me to wait a few years, when someone else will offer it for even less.
I worked there for several years and what you say is accurate. I'm waiting for costs to drop myself but it will probably be a short wait and unless some vaporware solidifies it will probably come from them. Or, alternatively they'll buy the tech from someone else next time some promising disruptive tech threatens them. Best senior management I've worked for when it comes to having an eye for that. I still own a lot of stock. Basically similar to a picks-n-shovel type company during the gold rush.
Besides the price there are many other improvements that need to happen. Much longer reads to get through homopolymers, phased data ( did it come from mom or pop? ), random error if any etc.
I'm waiting for costs to drop myself
Gxxxxx Txxxxxxx or something like that...
richwicks
I'm taking your advice but now it's on you...
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Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) extends from our global workforce to our manufacturers, our suppliers, and the genomes we sequence. We set meaningful goals, invest in programs to drive improvements, and ensure transparency of our data.
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We are creating an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone belongs and feels valued.
No I was the genetics scientist (bioinformatics) writing the algorithms and tertiary software that ran on the MiSeq. Basically after the DNA letters come off of the machine what it does with them.
Mitch had blonde hair? If that's the guy I'm thinking about he was a pretty cool guy. We used to use him as an example of a good manager that didn't yell at his team but still got shit done unlike some others. I was never under any of them though.
Do you remember approximate dates?
Yeah, you where the guys who were way behind. We waited on your asses for like a month,
Yeah, Mitch was super cool. I heard he was the main guy who pushed SCRUM at Illumina. My boss who made that statement reported to him. He's now a CTO at another company I believe.
Translation:
"Whites need not apply."
street address:499 Illinois St
SF zip:94158
home page:http://www.illumina.com/
jobs page:http://www.illumina.com/company/careers.html
owner:
SF employees:
description:
Genetic analysis instrumentation. Relatively new to DNA sequencing but essentially running their peers out of business with disruptive technology developed over the past several years.
Headquartered in San Diego but their primary technology was from the purchase of Solexa in Hayward, CA. Other bay area locations:
Mission Bay (SF)
Foster City - they purchased the old Applied Biosystems site, have demolished the old buildings and are building a very large campus there. It would not be a surprise if headquarters eventually moved to this location. The SF bay area is key for this tech.
#sftech