Genotyping and the High-Throughput Legacy

A deluge of DNA sequence and gene expression data generated in the last five years encouraged the original high-throughput mentality within genomics companies. Mapping the human genome provided the impetus for developing technologies for high-throughput DNA sequencing and analysis. Now genotyping, or the detection and analysis of individual genetic variations, has become the newest market around which companies are preaching the need for high-throughput methodologies.While only a handful of companies were directly involved in assisting the Human Genome Project, genotyping--the detection and analysis of individual genetic variations--has been fueling technology development, with applications in basic research through drug development. But in genotyping, high throughput is the goal but is not yet the reality. On the other hand, even if it's early to be talking about the successful integration of genotyping technologies and data, current players are already pushing their technologies onto their customers' platforms. If a company isn't already a player, it may be too late.