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Complete Genomics Inc., a recently launched, third-generation human genome sequencing company, today announced a collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to conduct complete human genome sequencing pilot studies of two cancers — glioblastoma and melanoma.

Complete Genomics will use its proprietary DNA sequencing technology to sequence five genomes from samples provided by the Broad Institute. The first genome sequenced will be a test case that has already been studied extensively by the scientific community. The other four genomes are tumor and matched-pair normals; one pair will be used to study glioblastoma and the other melanoma.

“Our newly released, proof-of-concept sequencing data have been well received by the scientific community, and we are now looking forward to demonstrating our technology’s potential to reveal new avenues of medical research,” said Dr. Clifford Reid, chairman, president and CEO of Complete Genomics. “We are very pleased to be working with such a prestigious organization as the Broad Institute on a project that may provide additional insight into the pathways responsible for these deadly diseases.”

“We are excited to be among the first to evaluate Complete Genomics’ promising new sequencing service,” said Chad Nusbaum, co-director of the Broad Institute’s Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program. “We are optimistic that these data will help us to more quickly identify genetic variants, such as cancer causing mutations and other rare germline events.”