Monday, February 11, 2008

PacBio Eyeing the Genomics X PRIZE?

The X PRIZE Foundation links to an article in The Ledger that describes the race, in the business world as well as the Genomics X PRIZE, to be able to sequence a human genome for $1,000. Although it reviews several companies, a lot of the article focuses on PacBio, which isn't registered as one of the Genomics X PRIZE competitors. However, the article says:

Pacific BioSciences, which was founded in 2004, says it can make the leap. “If we ever make this work, there would be no other technology applicable in the sequencing field,” said Hugh C. Martin, the chief executive.

Mr. Martin, who previously ran ONI Systems, a telecommunications equipment company, is nothing if not self-assured. “When we’re ready,” he said, “we’re just going to win the X Prize.”