The X Prize Foundation, which offers monetary awards for solutions to pressing scientific challenges, has tackled space travel, moon missions and oil spill cleanups and a $10-million award is offered for a team that significantly boosts the speed and accuracy of DNA sequencing, which could open new horizons in medicine, this is challenging teams to accurately sequence the DNA of 100 centenarians within 30 days at $1,000 or less per genome. The competition opens to teams on January 3rd of next year and the data gathered will be opened up to researchers………………..
The Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Medco is a $10 Million incentivized Competition, challenging scientists to design rapid, inexpensive and accurate whole human genome sequencing technologies. A complete and accurate genomic sequence will be a vital diagnostic tool. Then you and your doctor would be able to make informed decisions about your health care, ushering in a new era of personalized medicine. Teams registered in this competition are required to sequence 100 human genomes to a degree never before achieved, contributing to the first 100 medical grade genomes. To make the competition scientifically valuable for all of us, every team will be given the DNA of 100 centenarians (100 years old or older) to sequence. These 100 genomic pioneers are known as the ‘Medco 100 Over 100.’ Centenarians may carry genetic variations that avoid or repress common ailments. With more than 7,000 diseases recognized; sequencing the Medco 100 Over 100 may further our knowledge of the secrets to a long and healthy and life. Upon completion of the Competition, researchers from around the world will have open access to the data gained by sequencing the Medco 100 Over 100. This rich data may well benefit research efforts into common as well as rare diseases. By decoding the secrets to a long and healthy life, therapies and drugs may be developed creating radical medical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. The Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Medco counts down to the Competition date, January 3, 2013.
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