Illumina (company)
Encyclopedia
Illumina, Inc. is a company incorporated in April 1998 that develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and biological function. Using its technologies, the company provides a line of products and services that serve the sequencing
, genotyping
and gene expression
markets. Customers include genomic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. Its tools provide researchers with the capability to perform genetic tests needed to extract medical information from advances in genomics and proteomics
. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California
.
Illumina began offering single nucleotide polymorphism
(SNP) genotyping
services in 2001 and launched its first system, the Illumina BeadLab, in 2002, using GoldenGate Genotyping technology. Illumina currently offers microarray-based products and services for an expanding range of genetic analysis sequencing, including SNP genotyping, gene expression
, and protein analysis. Illumina‚ Äôs technologies are used by a broad range of academic, government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other leading institutions around the globe.
On January 26, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of Solexa, Inc. Solexa develops and commercializes genetic analysis technologies acquired from Manteia Predictive Medicine
used to perform a range of analyses, including whole genome resequencing, gene expression analysis and small ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis.
In June 2009, Illumina announced the launch of their own Personal
Full Genome Sequencing
Service at a depth of 30X for $48,000 per genome, and a year later dropped the price to $19,500. This is still too expensive for true commercialization but the price will most likely decrease substantially over the next few years as they realize economies of scale and given the competition with other companies such as Complete Genomics and Knome
.. As of May 2011, Illumina reduced the price to $4,000 .
. They have approached this initiative over the last couple of years through licensing deals, such as with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, M&As of other companies (such as Solexa in 2006), and heavy reinvestment of profits into its own R&D. Illumina is reportedly utilizing nanopore technology licensed from Oxford Nanopore Technologies to enable their full genome sequencing. It is unknown whether Illumina will provide their service only through their own San Diego-based laboratory or if they will sell a platform capable of full genome sequencing to other laboratories. Other companies involved in the race to commercialize full genome sequencing are Life Technologies
, Pacific Biosciences
, and Complete Genomics
. Life Technologies
recently demonstrated complete human genome sequencing, with 17x coverage, in a single run with its SOLiD Sequencer. Complete Genomics has stated that they will be able to offer a $5,000 full genome sequencing service by the summer of 2009. Illumina's CEO, Jay Flatley, stated in February 2009 that "A complete DNA read-out for every newborn will be technically feasible and affordable in less than five years, promising a revolution in healthcare" and that "by 2019 it will have become routine to map infants' genes when they are born". By June 2009, they had launched their own full genome sequencing
service called Every Genome at a price of $48,000 per genome. As of May 2011, Illumina reduced the price to $4,000 .
selected from 807 genes across a large sample size. The array based method allows 96 samples to be probed simultaneously on one array matrix.
Infinium methylation
Utilizing Illumina's HumanMethylation27 DNA Analysis BeadChip and the Infinium technology, this method allows the user to map single methylation resolution for 27,578 CpG site
s across over 14,000 genes.
systems based on technology developed by Solexa. The technology features bridge amplification to generate clusters and reversible terminators for sequence determination .
service sold solely through health care professionals (not direct to consumer).
Sequencing
In genetics and biochemistry, sequencing means to determine the primary structure of an unbranched biopolymer...
, genotyping
Genotyping
Genotyping is the process of determining differences in the genetic make-up of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence using biological assays and comparing it to another individual's sequence or a reference sequence. It reveals the alleles an individual has inherited from their...
and gene expression
Gene expression
Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as ribosomal RNA , transfer RNA or small nuclear RNA genes, the product is a functional RNA...
markets. Customers include genomic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. Its tools provide researchers with the capability to perform genetic tests needed to extract medical information from advances in genomics and proteomics
Proteomics
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
History
Illumina was founded in April 1998 by David Walt, Ph.D., Larry Bock ,John Stuelpnagel, D.V.M., Anthony Czarnik, Ph.D., and Mark Chee, Ph.D. While working with CW Group, a venture capital firm, Larry and John uncovered what would become Illumina's BeadArray technology at Tufts University and negotiated an exclusive license to that technology. Illumina completed its initial public offering in July 2000.Illumina began offering single nucleotide polymorphism
Single nucleotide polymorphism
A single-nucleotide polymorphism is a DNA sequence variation occurring when a single nucleotide — A, T, C or G — in the genome differs between members of a biological species or paired chromosomes in an individual...
(SNP) genotyping
Genotyping
Genotyping is the process of determining differences in the genetic make-up of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence using biological assays and comparing it to another individual's sequence or a reference sequence. It reveals the alleles an individual has inherited from their...
services in 2001 and launched its first system, the Illumina BeadLab, in 2002, using GoldenGate Genotyping technology. Illumina currently offers microarray-based products and services for an expanding range of genetic analysis sequencing, including SNP genotyping, gene expression
Gene expression
Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as ribosomal RNA , transfer RNA or small nuclear RNA genes, the product is a functional RNA...
, and protein analysis. Illumina‚ Äôs technologies are used by a broad range of academic, government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other leading institutions around the globe.
On January 26, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of Solexa, Inc. Solexa develops and commercializes genetic analysis technologies acquired from Manteia Predictive Medicine
Manteia Predictive Medicine
"Manteia Predictive Medicine S.A." was a start-up company created in November 2000 as a spin-off of Serono, a Swiss based biotechnology company, now part of Merck-Serono, and private founders. Its aim was to provide preventive and curative treatment guidelines for common and complex diseases...
used to perform a range of analyses, including whole genome resequencing, gene expression analysis and small ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis.
In June 2009, Illumina announced the launch of their own Personal
Personal genomics
Personal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
Full Genome Sequencing
Full genome sequencing
Full genome sequencing , also known as whole genome sequencing , complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time...
Service at a depth of 30X for $48,000 per genome, and a year later dropped the price to $19,500. This is still too expensive for true commercialization but the price will most likely decrease substantially over the next few years as they realize economies of scale and given the competition with other companies such as Complete Genomics and Knome
Knome
Knome is an American personal genomics company that sells human whole genome and exome analysis and sequencing services to researchers and consumers...
.. As of May 2011, Illumina reduced the price to $4,000 .
Future innovations & direction
Illumina is one of the primary players in the race to commercialize full genome sequencingFull genome sequencing
Full genome sequencing , also known as whole genome sequencing , complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time...
. They have approached this initiative over the last couple of years through licensing deals, such as with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, M&As of other companies (such as Solexa in 2006), and heavy reinvestment of profits into its own R&D. Illumina is reportedly utilizing nanopore technology licensed from Oxford Nanopore Technologies to enable their full genome sequencing. It is unknown whether Illumina will provide their service only through their own San Diego-based laboratory or if they will sell a platform capable of full genome sequencing to other laboratories. Other companies involved in the race to commercialize full genome sequencing are Life Technologies
Life Technologies
Life Technologies is a global biotechnology company headquartered in Carlsbad, California. It possesses a portfolio of more than 9 million genetic research assays and custom solutions...
, Pacific Biosciences
Pacific Biosciences
Pacific Biosciences is a biotechnology company founded in 2004 that develops and manufactures systems for gene sequencing and some novel real time biological observation. They describe their platform as single molecule real time sequencing , based on the properties of zero-mode waveguides...
, and Complete Genomics
Complete Genomics
Complete Genomics is a life sciences company that has developed and commercialized a DNA sequencing platform for human genome sequencing and analysis. This solution combines the company’s proprietary human genome sequencing technology with its informatics and data management software in an...
. Life Technologies
Life Technologies
Life Technologies is a global biotechnology company headquartered in Carlsbad, California. It possesses a portfolio of more than 9 million genetic research assays and custom solutions...
recently demonstrated complete human genome sequencing, with 17x coverage, in a single run with its SOLiD Sequencer. Complete Genomics has stated that they will be able to offer a $5,000 full genome sequencing service by the summer of 2009. Illumina's CEO, Jay Flatley, stated in February 2009 that "A complete DNA read-out for every newborn will be technically feasible and affordable in less than five years, promising a revolution in healthcare" and that "by 2019 it will have become routine to map infants' genes when they are born". By June 2009, they had launched their own full genome sequencing
Full genome sequencing
Full genome sequencing , also known as whole genome sequencing , complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time...
service called Every Genome at a price of $48,000 per genome. As of May 2011, Illumina reduced the price to $4,000 .
Golden Gate Methylation
The GoldenGate Methylation Cancer Panel allows the user to probe 1,505 CpG lociCpG site
CpG sites or CG sites are regions of DNA where a cytosine nucleotide occurs next to a guanine nucleotide in the linear sequence of bases along its length. "CpG" is shorthand for "—C—phosphate—G—", that is, cytosine and guanine separated by only one phosphate; phosphate links any two nucleosides...
selected from 807 genes across a large sample size. The array based method allows 96 samples to be probed simultaneously on one array matrix.
Infinium methylationIllumina Methylation AssayThe Illumina Methylation Assay using the Infinium II platform uses 'BeadChip' technology to generate a comprehensive genome wide profiling of human DNA methylation. Similar to bisulfite sequencing and pyrosequencing, this method quantifies methylation levels at specific loci within the genome...
Utilizing Illumina's HumanMethylation27 DNA Analysis BeadChip and the Infinium technology, this method allows the user to map single methylation resolution for 27,578 CpG siteCpG site
CpG sites or CG sites are regions of DNA where a cytosine nucleotide occurs next to a guanine nucleotide in the linear sequence of bases along its length. "CpG" is shorthand for "—C—phosphate—G—", that is, cytosine and guanine separated by only one phosphate; phosphate links any two nucleosides...
s across over 14,000 genes.
DNA sequencing
Illumina sells a number of very high-throughput DNA sequencingDNA sequencing
DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies that are used for determining the order of the nucleotide bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a molecule of DNA....
systems based on technology developed by Solexa. The technology features bridge amplification to generate clusters and reversible terminators for sequence determination .
Every Genome
Full genome sequencingFull genome sequencing
Full genome sequencing , also known as whole genome sequencing , complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time...
service sold solely through health care professionals (not direct to consumer).
External links
- Illumina's Company Website
- DNAVision - Illumina official service provider.
- Gene Logic - performs research based on Illumina's Golden gate assay
- Illumina's Personal Full Sequencing Genome Service
- National Center for Genome Resources (NCGR) Sequencing Center - an Illumina Certified Service Provider.