Preparatory research and investigation for novel gene sequencing technologies

DNA sequencing is used in cancer research and treatment, and in biological research. The cost of sequencing was for a long time falling drastically, but it has in the last years been stable. Geneseque´s technology is unique in combining the use of microbeads with single molecular reading and cheap image chips, the same as used in mobile phones. Geneseque has engineered six methods that drastically reduce cost while simultaneously increasing efficiency and lowering error rates. The state of the art sequencing machinery costs 1.2 million USD and operates with above 1% single-run errors, while Geneseque produces only 0.5% error and costs 2.000 USD. The Geneseque methods potentially reduce cost to 100 USD per human genome and complete sequencing in less than a day. The current state of the art offers from 1 400 USD upwards and takes from 3 days to more than a week to complete. It also does not require the use of fluorophores. The methods and technologies are under patenting by patent office Dehns in London. Three of the proposed innovations build upon proprietary technology of a third party that has confirmed interest in R&D collaboration and joint commercialization. The preproject aims to specifically investigate and develop IP and legal framework for such collaboration. Main competitors include Illumina and Thermo Fisher. The latter today owns the Norwegian production facilities for the important Dynal microbeads. PacBio and Oxford Nanopore use single molecules, but they have high sequencing prices and very high error rates. This makes them unsuited as stand-alone methods.