Q: state of the art of sequencing

[Scottie]

Hello Patrick,

        Try checking out the website at
http://mbcf.dfci.harvard.edu/abrfdnaseq for the 1996  Association of
Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) latest study. You should find the
answers to most of your questions there in the spreadsheets and survey
summary. Some of the answers, e.g. how many bases can be identified in 
what
period of time, are dependent upon the type of machine. The cost of the
sequencers are in the $120,000 - $150, 000 range.
         The ABRF is currently working on a chapter in a book called
Encyclopedia of Bioprocess Technology which tries to address these type of
questions for people such as yourself.
        Hope this helps.   Scottie




>Hello,
>
>First of all I appologise for my ignorance, I'm not
>a biologist (I'm a physicist and engineer with some
>interest in molecular biology, but no formal education
>in the field).
>I was wondering what is the state of the art of
>current (and near future) sequencing techniques.
>Meaning: how many DNA basepairs can be identified per
>minute, how long can the sequences be, what is a reasonable
>upper limit on the number of pairs, how much does an identified
>base pair cost (incrementally), how much does what kind of
>sequencer cost etc...
>I know a few of the principles behind sequencing, but I don't
>know if this is still the way things are done.
>
>Thanks,
>Patrick.
>
>PS: could you also mail me a copy of your reply please ?  thanks !

Scottie Adams aka Pamela Scott Adams
Coordinator
Molecular Biology Core Facility
W. Alton Jones Cell Science Center
10 Old Barn Road
Lake Placid, NY    12946
Phone:  518-523-1276
Fax:    518-523-1849
Email: scottie at cell-science.org
http://www.cell-science.org/mbcf