The 3700 DNA analyzer increased the pace of large-scale sequencing and genotyping projects since its introduction in 1998 by providing industrial-level throughput with 24-hour unattended operation. Used in the majority of large-scale sequencing laboratories around the world, the 3700 system generates the fundamental genetic map of living organisms.

The acquisition of the 3700 systems underscores deCODE's position as one of the largest and most advanced genotyping facilities in the world. deCODE expects its average genotyping throughput to increase nearly fivefold to approximately 12 million genotypes per month.

Together with its unrivalled genealogical resources and proprietary bioinformatics tools, deCODE uses genotypic analysis of DNA samples from volunteers to identify genes linked to more than three dozen of the world's most common and devastating illnesses. deCODE and its partners use this information to identify new drug targets and to develop more effective treatments.

"We will speed new insights in medical knowledge from this dramatic scale-up of our genotyping capacity using the powerful 3700 systems in collaboration with the volunteers and family members of the Icelandic population," said Dr. Jeffrey Gulcher, deCODE's vice president for research and development.