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Biotech / Medical : Celera Genomics (CRA) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: gao seng who wrote (313)	5/8/2000 11:17:00 PM
From: allen menglin chen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 746

Thanks for the good link. I just repost here so I don't have to click 2 links again. boards.fool.com =========================================================== Well, we see today that DoubleTwist is claiming to be a competitor to Celera Genomics. In one aspect they are a competitor to Celera in the same way that an aftermarket sunroof installer is competition for General Motors. DoubleTwist will be using the data from the HGP and running it through their algorithms to find genes. Celera is doing the same thing, using algorithms to find genes. However, we must ask, what DoubleTwist is doing for an encore? Once they have identified the genes from the HGP database, what is next? The problem with DoubleTwist is that they are limited to the pace of the HGP. Celera will outstrip the HGP in the number of genomes sequenced because of better equipment and expertise AND because Celera can also use the HGP database. DoubleTwist: Access to HGP sequence Celera: Access to HGP sequence and CRA sequence DoubleTwist has said that it will be selling equipment for doing this analysis also. So, what will happen is that everyone will buy the same equipment and find the same genes? Everyone will be standing in line and waiting for sequence from the HGP, trying to get the jump on each other. I dunno, doesn't sound like good business practice. Sounds like a Sun is just trying to sell more boxes, not quality genomic analysis and expedited drug discovery. DoubleTwist has no price advantage over CRA. Both companies are looking at midlevel academic subscriptions of about $10,000 to $15,000. Except when you subscribe to DoubleTwist you'll have no chance to get the jump on anyone because they all use the same sequence, that of the HGP. CRA also has an advantage over DoubleTwist in that they also know biology. A bunch of computer programmers may find the genes just as fast, but without evidence of utility the gene is just a meaningless line of letters. You need to know how and when it will be used. CRA will be selling and performing these same services. Included with their list of genes will be annotation. DoubleTwist is not expanding into proteomics and it has no equipment to do so. Arguably, proteomics is MORE important than knowing the sequences of the genome. Through proteomics CRA will discover and describe the proteins that carry out the "directions" issued by the genes in the form of mRNA. These proteins are receptors and cellular messengers that are excellent drug targets. Finally, DoubleTwist doesn't have Dr. Venter. That is the most important factor of all. Dr. Venter's history of innovation with shotgun sequencing and EST's is evidence that he thinks outside the box. While DoubleTwist is trying to analyze genes faster, Dr. Venter will be coming up with things they haven't even heard of. Guys, DoubleTwist is a pretender, not a contender. Now, I invite them to go out and buy 600 sequencers from PEB and make some raw data instead of recycling the HGP data. Long on PEB and CRA, ElricSeven