Genomics is as important as the discovery of antibiotics

The researcher behind Australia’s acquisition of a breakthrough DNA sequencing machine said genomics could have as significant an impact on health as antibiotics.

The human genome – a complete genetic blueprint – includes billions of chemical base pairs, which form human DNA.

US technology company Illumina announced it had broken the “sound barrier” of genomics with a machine capable of generating a human genome for $US1000 ($1100) – one-millionth of the $1 billion price of the first human genome in 2003.

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is among the first three organisations worldwide to receive the $10 million machine. The others are the Broad Institute, a collaboration of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Seoul-based genomics company Macrogen.

Read the full, original story: DNA sequencing ‘to be commonplace’

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

ChatGPT-Image-Sep-10-2026-10_36_07-AM
Viewpoint: Even lousy scientific articles can shield authors when they hype dubious health claims and products
ChatGPT-Image-Mar-10-2026-01_39_01-PM
Viewpoint—“Miracle molecule” debunked: Why acemannan supplements don’t work
sorghum farmers in kenya FARMERS TREND
Here are all the ways CRISPR gene editing is transforming Africa’s staple crops—and there’s a lot more innovation to come
Screenshot-2026-10-01-at-11.21.27-AM
Vaccine hesitancy, like malaria, surges globally, topping 35% in some countries
ChatGPT-Image-Sep-30-2026-01_25_34-PM
Blood tests for Alzheimer’s? The latest grifter, social media scam.
ChatGPT-Image-Sep-30-2026-01_11_07-PM
How U.S. teamed with Russia to block global human AI weapons oversight
ChatGPT-Image-Sep-30-2026-01_38_36-PM
Viewpoint: Died “with measles” vs. died “from measles”: RFK, Jr.’s dangerously subversive word games
ChatGPT-Image-Sep-21-2026-03_15_09-PM
Viewpoint: Chipotle-inspired lesson: 10,000 sick customers suggest that processed foods can be safer than fresh ones
ChatGPT-Image-Sep-2-2026-02_03_32-PM
How much of a problem is AI’s water use?
Screenshot-2026-09-28-at-1.16.38-PM
Defying public perceptions, U.S. cancer deaths plunged 35% since 1991
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.