Applied Biosystems joins 1000 Genomes Project

Applied Biosystems has announced it is contributing to the worldwide effort to produce the most detailed ever map of genetic variation.

The company will join the 1000 Genomes Project, which is attempting to build the map as a tool for medical research.

Francisco de la Vega, a distinguished scientific fellow and vice president for SOLiD system applications and bioinformatics at the firm, said the project was the most "ambitious and comprehensive" study of the human genome.

"Our participation continues our commitment to partner with the scientific community to explore the genetic factors involved in human disease," he added.

The firm will sequence the equivalent of 75 billion DNA bases during the pilot phase of the project.

It will also contribute an additional 200 billion bases of human sequence through collaboration with Baylor.

Applied Biosystems claims to be a leader in the life science marketplace focused on research and testing, and last month it launched a range of new microRNA analysis tools.