Development of capillary array DNA sequencers for genome analysis.

Massive analysis of biological molecules is being successfully applied to elucidate various biological phenomena using techniques of molecular science. This new era was initiated by the Human Genome Project, which was supported by the development of various automated tools including DNA sequencers and DNA chips. A small project led by Akiyoshi Wada in Japan triggered the development of automated DNA analysis instruments. As one of the members of the project, the author has been engaged in developing DNA analyzers including capillary array DNA sequencers. Here, the principles and development of the main technologies related to capillary array DNA sequencers, which contributed to the completion of the Human Genome Project, are reviewed.