Most Important Criterion for DNA Sequencer Users is Accuracy

Labs using DNA sequencers are more concerned with accuracy than cost in future purchases.

The DNA sequencer market has undergone rapid changes in the last few years, unlike during any period in its history and unlike most technologies except the computer or the chip.

A survey of 120 laboratories using next-gen and capillary systems was carried out from July to September of 2010, with the majority in the latter portion. About 70% of the labs were academic; the remainder consisted of hospital, government, or independent labs.

Respondents were asked for the most important criteria in considering a new sequencer purchase. Accuracy rated highest for 78.8% of respondents. Cost per sample run was also important, rating second as a criterion with 63.6% of respondents. Seventy percent of the hospitals were in North America, 12% in Europe, and 18% elsewhere.

The survey was conducted by Kalorama Information (Rockville, MD, USA), a healthcare market research publisher. A significant number of respondents chose accuracy over cost, ease-of-use, or speed,” said Justin Saeks, Kalorama Information's biotech analyst and author of the report. "This was true both for labs using first-gen or next-gen systems.”

Mr. Saeks, who has been analyzing sequencer markets for the past decade, was not surprised at the ranking of accuracy over other qualities in purchasing new sequencers. "One of the things we heard from respondents was that accuracy is proportionately more important because in sequencing the margin of error is low. Even a .01% error rate adds up to a lot. And accuracy drives other areas—a clean sequence, for instance, will enable software algorithms to work well.”

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