Three Landmark Studies of Independent Human Genomes Carried Out on
Illumina Genome Analyzer
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced that the November 6, 2008
issue of Nature published sequencing results of the first Yoruban
human genome. The study was completed by Illumina scientists and
collaborators at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and generated
greater than 30x average coverage of the genome. Four million
single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including one million novel
SNPs, and 400,000 structural variants were identified. The Yoruban
study and two other papers--by researchers at Beijing Genomics
Institute (BGI) and Washington University--featured in the same
November 6 issue of Nature all used the Illumina Genome Analyzer to
complete the sequencing studies. This marks the first time that three
human genome studies--including the first Asian individual, the first
cancer patient, and the first African male--have been simultaneously
published in a single journal.
Findings of these three papers will be presented in greater detail
by Jun Wang, Ph.D. of BGI, Rick Wilson, Ph.D. of Washington
University, and Scott Kahn, Ph.D. of Illumina during a press briefing
at the 58th annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics.
Sponsored by Illumina in collaboration with Nature, the press briefing
will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 6:00pm EST.
"The Illumina publication of Accurate Whole Human Genome
Sequencing Using Reversible Terminator Chemistry is a testament to the
work of many individuals, who over the past 10 years contributed to
the development of the Genome Analyzer. Without their tireless effort
and dedication, these achievements would not have been possible," said
David Bentley, Vice-President and Chief Scientist of DNA Sequencing at
Illumina. "The publications and perspectives presented in this leading
scientific journal confirm that it is now possible to economically and
efficiently sequence human genomes to discover and profile human
genetic variation."
Illumina's sequencing technology is founded on large-scale
parallel sequencing of millions of nucleic acid fragments using
proprietary reversible terminator-based sequencing chemistry. The
Genome Analyzer has been broadly adopted by both single-investigator
laboratories and genome centers to perform an extensive range of
applications, including whole-genome, targeted and de novo sequencing,
analysis of bisulfite converted DNA, transcriptome profiling and
characterization of protein-nucleic acid interactions to publish
groundbreaking studies at an unprecedented rate. Since its commercial
release in early 2007, more than 120 original research studies have
been published on the Genome Analyzer in peer-reviewed journals.
"The publication of three independent genomes demonstrates the
utility of the Genome Analyzer in enabling groundbreaking research at
a scale that was previously not possible. These studies, along with
multiple ongoing efforts, including the 1,000 Genomes Project, will
undoubtedly lead to new insights that will enhance our understanding
of human health," said Christian Henry, Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, and Acting General Manger of Illumina's Sequencing
Business. "With continued improvements to the output, accuracy, and
read length delivered by the Genome Analyzer, we expect human genome
sequencing to become even more economical and ultimately routine."
Internally Illumina has demonstrated that the Genome Analyzer is
capable of delivering paired reads in excess of 100bp each and over
20Gb of data per run. As these capabilities are broadly released, the
Illumina Genome Analyzer will continue to set the standard for
accurate economical sequencing that will contribute to studies aimed
at understanding the genetic basis of disease.
About Illumina
Illumina (www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer,
and marketer of next-generation life-science tools and integrated
systems for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation and
biological function. Using our proprietary technologies, we provide a
comprehensive line of products and services that currently serve the
sequencing, genotyping, and gene expression markets, and we expect to
enter the market for molecular diagnostics. Our customers include
leading genomic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, academic
institutions, clinical research organizations, and biotechnology
companies. Our tools provide researchers around the world with the
performance, throughput, cost effectiveness, and flexibility necessary
to perform the billions of genetic tests needed to extract valuable
medical information from advances in genomics and proteomics. We
believe this information will enable researchers to correlate genetic
variation and biological function, which will enhance drug discovery
and clinical research, allow diseases to be detected earlier, and
permit better choices of drugs for individual patients.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: this release may contain forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in any forward-looking statements are Illumina's ability (i) to
develop and commercialize further our BeadArray(TM), VeraCode(R), and
Solexa(R) technologies and to deploy new sequencing, gene expression,
and genotyping products and applications for our technology platforms,
(ii) to manufacture robust instrumentation and reagents technology,
together with other factors detailed in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including our recent filings on
Forms 10-K and 10-Q or in information disclosed in public conference
calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We disclaim
any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements
beyond the date of this release.
Illumina, Inc.
Investors:
Peter J. Fromen
Sr. Director, Investor Relations
858-202-4507
pfromen@illumina.com
or
Media:
Maurissa Bornstein
Public Relations Manager
858-332-4055
mbornstein@illumina.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
