UNM Technology Accelerates Genomic Sequencing

UNM created these nano-scale tunnels to stretch out strands of DNA for scanning under optical readers as they flow through the channels. Researchers form the nanochannels by stacking up individual silicon carbide particles. Source: The University of New Mexico

Today, DNA sequencing is a tortuous process that often takes days and sometimes weeks to read a full human genome, but University of New Mexico researchers may have found a way to cut that down to minutes.

Investors are now lining up behind UNM’s breakthrough, which they say could accelerate the healthcare industry’s use of “precision medicine” based on each individual’s unique DNA structure.

New Mexico-based Cottonwood Technology, Tramway Venture Partners and Sun Mountain Capital are jointly pumping an initial $1.5 million investment into Armonica Technologies Inc., a new startup that’s working to take UNM’s discovery to market.