Start-up Halcyon Molecular is developing a method to sequence nucleic acids using high-atomic-number-labeled bases and electron microscopy. This approach to detection was first proposed by Richard Feynman around 1958. Halcyon is also developing a number of supporting techniques, including use of functionalized needles to stretch and place taut DNA on substrates for subsequent analysis. Schiamberg Group analysis and estimates indicate a high level of development risk for certain aspects of the technology and that Halcyon had approximately $18 million in cash on hand as of August 2011.

Halcyon is backed by venture capitalists and is attempting thus far to commercialize a sequencing instrument without commercial collaborations and corporate investment. Halcyon president Luke Nosek is a co-Founder of PayPal and Managing Partner at Founders Fund, which has portfolio companies including Facebook and SpaceX. The company plans to label nucleic acid strands with contrast agents that have a specificity or selectivity for certain bases, bind and stretch nucleic acids out onto a surface such that the bases are uniformly spaced at between 0.3 nm and 0.7 nm (preferably 0.5 nm), and then use electron microscopy to determine base sequence[1]. Halcyon is developing its technology for whole genome sequencing. It is targeting read lengths of 150,000 bases for human genomes[2].

An evaluation of Halcyon Molecular is available on the Schiamberg Group website and includes:  analysis of technical challenges, applications, strategy, and likelihood of success; recommendations on actions that interested parties should take with respect to the company and questions interested parties should be asking the company; and data on capital raised, burn rate, cash available, and number of employees (based on our analysis and estimates). To purchase the Halcyon company evaluation click here.

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[1] US 2010/0267157

[2] Halcyon company website’s post of excerpt from Genome Web article.