In 1999, Celera Genomics Group wanted to complete the human genome sequence. The company developed a novel method it called whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing; researchers believed it would revolutionize the process of sequencing. Moreover, the company had also just opened up a new facility, with 300 brand-new, out-of-the-box automated DNA sequencers, plus a crew of 50 to staff them. Yet instead of hitting the ground running, Celera decided to sequence a simpler genome, thereby simultaneously achieving proof of concept for WGS sequencing while working out the kinks of its new facility.
The oft-studied Drosophila melanogaster fit the bill. "Drosophila is about 5% of the size of the human genome," says Mark Adams, Celera's vice president of bioinformatics and a key author on both Hot Papers.1,2 "From that perspective, when we looked at the number of days [delay] to complete the human genome by virtue of having done Drosophila first, ...
