Instrumentation eor the genome protect

Much of the recent rapid progress in large-scale genomic sequencing has bee n driven by the dramatic improvements both in the area of biological protoc ols and in the availability of improved laboratory instrumentation and auto mation platforms. We discuss recent developments in the area of bioinstrume ntation that are contributing to the current revolution in genetic analysis . Examples of systems for laboratory automation are described together with specific single-purpose instruments. Emphasis is placed on those tools tha t are contributing significantly to the scale-up of genomic mapping and seq uencing efforts. In addition, we present a selection of more advanced measu rement techniques and instrumentation developments that are likely to contr ibute significantly to future advances in sequencing and genome analysis.