The winner, hands down, is Illumina, the leading maker of DNA sequencingequipment, which has delivered a total return to investors of nearly 800% since late 2005.
Patsalis of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics said his team is developing a noninvasive method to test for Down syndrome by comparing fetal DNA to the mother's using standard lab equipment, instead of pricey gene-sequencing gear.