DNA sequencers that cost only $100 could revolutionize the fields of biology and medicine, as they have the potential to be a significant game changer.

According to Michael Snyder, a systems biologist at Stanford University, this is a significant year for DNA sequencing as there is expected to be a major shift in the industry. Up until now, Illumina has dominated the market, but with the expiration of key patents protecting their sequencing technology, several new companies are entering the field and promising faster and cheaper methods of sequencing. Ultima Genomics, a young company, claims it can provide human genomes for $100, which is one-fifth of the current rate. Ultima’s technology involves spraying DNA-laden beads onto round silicon wafers and using a spiral motion for imaging, resulting in reduced costs and faster imaging. Furthermore, the sequencing chemistry is different from conventional methods, as it uses fluorescent tags for only a few bases and lacks the usual stop signal, which speeds up the process. Ultima’s approach has been demonstrated in several preprints, showing its potential for sequencing human genomes and evaluating single cell gene expression, mutations, and epigenetics. While some researchers are excited about the lower cost and accessibility of this technology, others have raised concerns about its error rate and the overall cost. Additionally, other companies like MGI and Element Biosciences are also promising $100 per human genome sequencing, further increasing competition in the market. However, Illumina is not to be underestimated and is expected to have some strategies up its sleeve to maintain its position.