The National Human Genome Research Institute or NHGRI, a distinguished constituent of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) today has come out with a major announcement of awarding amounting to more than $15 million in grants for advocating the development of new technologies that have the prospective of reducing the cost of DNA sequencing. In this regard the highest echelon of the organization has also stated that the entire process is a part of the premeditated intention of the mergence of a rosy future when the genome of each person shall be sequenced a regular ingredient of medical research and health care.

But why so much concern about the DNA sequencing? It is to noted in this respect that the costs of DNA sequencing have drastically fallen throughout the last decade by more than 50-fold. The chief reason behind this happening has been the introduction of innovative tools, technologies and also process improvements that have been increased as part of the thriving effort to sequence the human genome.   But in spite of such developments it still costs to the extent of  $5 million to sequence 3 billion base pairs, the necessitated amount of DNA found in the genomes of humans and other mammals.

Speaking on the announcement of grants Dr. Francis S. Collins, M.D. and also the Director of NHGRI said, "Innovative sequencing technologies are critical to our efforts to move advances in genomic knowledge into the clinic. The era of personalized medicine will demand more efficient and cost-effective approaches to DNA sequencing."

The newly announced grants will for that reason finance eight investigators for the development of revolutionary technologies with the sole intention of making it feasible to sequence genome for $1,000. It has also been learnt that along with this novel approach there shall be also the application of finance in respect of another three investigators for the development of the technologies that are nearer to their respective terms to sequence a genome for $100,000. From the discourses it has been learnt that both of the approaches consist of many such harmonizing elements that incorporate biochemistry, chemistry and physics with engineering for the gradual enhancement of the whole effort to extend the next generation of both DNA sequencing and analysis technologies.

While speaking on the innovative development Dr. Jeffery Schloss the program director for technology development of NHGRI said,   "The different approaches will likely result in several successful and complementary technologies. We will monitor carefully to see how each technology progresses and which of them can ultimately be used by the average researcher or health care provider," "Each research team brings a unique set of skills and expertise to solving difficult scientific and engineering problems," he concluded.