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# Mini-ION
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/mini-ion/
- Published: 2012-02-27T13:22:41.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-28T11:02:52.000Z
- Description: Two decades ago it would take about ten years and around $2.7 billion to sequence the entire human genome. But today it could be done in as little as one week for just $3000.
- Author: Protein
- Tags: Seeds, Technology, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:15, #author-change-2025-05-28

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4165/c1b67c2f-2acf-4cae-894f-f3f821741246.jpg)

Two decades ago it would take about ten years and around $2.7 billion to sequence the entire human genome. But today it could be done in as little as one week for just $3000\. This significant evolution in the industry has happened thanks to the release of two new devices by biotech firm, [Oxford Nanopore](http://nanoporetech.com/?ref=protein.xyz). Both are potential game changers thanks to their portability, affordability and the depth of DNA data they analyse.

The most eye catching is the Oxford MINI-Ion, a USB-sized tool that can sequence about a billion base pairs of DNA from a single drop of blood. Its portability allows DNA sequencing in the field at a cost between just $500 and $900\. The company also unveiled the GRID-Ion, which can sequence the entire human genome of 3 billion base pairs of DNA for the price of $3000.

To date only two humans have their entire genome sequenced: James Watson, who discovered DNA's double helix, and his student Craig Venter, a leading researcher in genome sequencing. This dearth of data is a result of the previously high cost of sequencing technologies. But Oxford Nanopore's inventions move human genome sequencing within the price range of other medicinal procedures. As a result, uncovering the secrets of our genes may become easier. And with this, the promise of groundbreaking research and highly-personalised medicine grows even greater.

To learn more about how genetics is becoming accessible to consumers, have a read and watch of our profile on science writer [Lone Frank](http://prote.in/profiles/lone-frank?ref=protein.xyz).