Applied Biosystems comments on discovery of increased variation in human genome

Applied Biosystems has offered commentary on the results of research into the sequencing of the first human diploid gene – all DNA from both sets of chromosomes.

The firm reports that the study indicates that there is as much as five times more genetic variation between two individuals than was previously thought.

Kevin McKernan, one of the inventors of Applied Biosystems’ DNA sequencing platform SOLiD, stated that the discovery will alter the way in which genomics-related research is carried out.

"This finding is a calling for us to raise the bar, to usher in the next-generation life sciences era, in which highly sophisticated technologies will be required to fulfil the promise of next-generation sequencing," he said.

Mr McKernan added that in order to unlock information within genomes, researchers will require platforms capable of producing accurate data and the ability to scale such systems to support increasingly complex studies in the future.

Earlier this month, Applied Biosystems announced a co-development agreement with Olink Bioscience.