Not at all, researchers say. The project's completion was announced jointly by Celera and the Human Genome Project last month. While the human genome map is an enormous scientific feat, it tells us little about human disease. The Holy Grail of personalized medicine will derive specifically from SNP research, not from the map. Investors may have been wondering what Celera would do with its DNA sequencers following its crowning achievement.
Analysts say it's a typical case of buy on the rumor, sell on the news.
Celera spokeswoman Heather Kowalski says the sequencers may have more uses yet. The public government-funded Human Genome Project had been working on the human genome map for almost 10 years, and the PE contingent believed they could do it in less than two years by using a sufficient number of the sequencers. The HGP soon bought their own ABI 3700s, and a race to map the human genome was on. The race ended last month as each group's sequencers completed their jobs. Although Celera may not always need all 300 sequencers, Celera researchers say they will go on to sequence the genomes of the mouse, rat, dog, and other critters.