Single Molecule
Real-Time Sequencing
VisGen Biotechnologies
Pacific Biosciences
Helicos Biosciences
Real-time monitoring of PCR activity
Read-out by fluorescence resonance energy transfer between polymerase and
nucleotides or
Waveguides allow direct observation of polymerase and fluorescently labeled
nucleotides
Helicos
BioSciences said in a regulatory filing that it has sold certain patent applications
covering molecular diagnostic applications of its technology to Sequenom for $1.3
million. The patent applications cover methods for detecting fetal
nucleic acids and diagnosing fetal abnormalities. Helicos also warned that if it
is "unable to successfully raise additional capital, we may have to cease
operations and/or seek bankruptcy protection."