This system does not have the inherent disadvantages of DNA amplification.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) has purchased the Helicos™ Genetic Analysis System to study cancer genomics. This single molecule sequencing technology reportedly enables scientists to various studies without DNA ligation or amplification.
Helicos Biosciences says that genetic analysis with this platform eliminates the biases, complexity, and errors introduced by DNA amplification, requires minute amounts of starting material, and provides the most direct and accurate view of biological samples.
“The translational cancer research we are conducting at our center can benefit greatly from the advantages of single molecule sequencing,” believes Tom Hudson, president and scientific director of the OICR. “We hope to use this technology for the unbiased and comprehensive characterization of tumor samples to ultimately lead to discoveries that have a clinical impact.”
