Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 11 hrs ago
DNA sequencing now takes hours and costs less than €900
David Klenerman, Pascal Mayer and Shankar Balasubramanian developed faster DNA sequencing methods that made it far quicker and cheaper to read a genome.
The technology has cut the time needed to sequence a human genome from years to a few hours, and the cost from more than $1 billion to less than €900.
The three scientists are due to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias award for Scientific and Technical Research in Oviedo, Spain.
Their methods use DNA amplification to make genetic information easier to detect and read.
The technology supports research and medical diagnosis, including work on cancer, rare diseases and infections.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, genome sequencing helped identify the virus and supported the rapid development of vaccines tailored to it.
Klenerman says sequencing is increasingly being used in hospitals, and could become a standard part of medical care to make diagnoses more precise.
Whole-genome sequencing, which cost more than $1 billion in 2000, can now be completed in a few hours for less than €900.
The technology was developed by David Klenerman, Pascal Mayer and Shankar Balasubramanian.
Their work has enabled laboratories around the world to sequence genomes more quickly and cheaply.
The technology has supported research and medical work including cancer treatment, rare-disease diagnosis and responses to infectious diseases.
The three scientists were due to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research in Oviedo.
- Who
- Scientists David Klenerman, Pascal Mayer and Shankar Balasubramanian.
- What
- Their genetic sequencing technologies made whole-genome sequencing much faster and cheaper.
- When
- The technology was developed from the late 20th century. The scientists were due to receive the 2026 award.
- Where
- The award ceremony was to take place in Oviedo. The technology is used in laboratories around the world.
- Why
- It makes genome sequencing more accessible and supports scientific research, diagnosis and medical care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first complete sequencing of a human genome cost more than $1 billion and involved hundreds of researchers working for 15 years.
Klenerman and Balasubramanian began developing a genome sequencing method using a DNA amplification process developed by Mayer.
Genome sequencing helped researchers quickly decode the SARS-CoV-2 virus, supporting the rapid development of vaccines specific to the pathogen.
The same whole-genome sequencing task takes a few hours and costs less than €900.
Klenerman, Mayer and Balasubramanian were due to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research in Oviedo.
- First complete human genome
- More than $1 billion in 2000
- Current sequencing time
- A few hours
- Current sequencing cost
- Less than €900
- Award
- 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research
- Award location
- Oviedo
3 sources
Mayer, premio princesa de Asturias, asegura que su trabajo permitirá conocer mejor las enfermedades
Los científicos que democratizaron el estudio del ADN: "No estamos lejos de que cada uno tenga secuenciado su genoma"
«¿Cuándo vais a curar las enfermedades graves?», le preguntan los niños a Klenerman, Balasubramanian y Mayer
What people are saying
At that time we were aware that if we managed to solve this technical problem its impact would probably be very significant and could transform Biology and Medicine.
It is very gratifying to see how it is being used to literally save people’s lives.
It is very encouraging to see the work of laboratories recognised and the difficulty of overcoming the competition in the scientific community.