Our Technology

Illumina is leading the way in the genetics community with technologies that translate the genome (DNA) into something people can begin to read and interpret. The vision of personalized medicine—the right drug for the right patient at the right time—is in large part possible because of the technology developed by Illumina.

Illumina's technology is found in top research institutions around the world, and is now available to you through the Illumina Individual Genome Sequencing (IGS) service. This service provides you with the genetic information that, together with the advice of your doctor, can be leveraged to make informed decisions related to your health and well being.

There are two primary types of technology used in personal genomics services—DNA sequencing and genotyping. Before we get into the differences, it may be helpful to start with a simple analogy. We like to think of your genome as a book, and of the unraveling of the code of that book as a storytelling process. Your DNA is your story. DNA sequencing enables us to read the letters. Genotyping allows us to pick out words. Through these techniques, we can read your story and find the similarities and differences that make you, the unique Individual that you are.

Every day scientists around the world rely on Illumina's technology to power their research and advance their understanding of genetics. The technology they use is critical to their progress. It must be reliable, accurate, comprehensive, and fast.

They choose Illumina as a partner because our technology is proven and they can trust the data. Scientists know that with Illumina technology, they can find the answers faster. In fact, researchers around the world have published groundbreaking studies on hundreds of diseases and their genetic underpinnings using Illumina technology. Illumina is enabling deeper insights into the genome while delivering quality information accurately and quickly, turning studies once dreamed of into a reality.