Roche's 454 Life Sciences unit, the biotech Illumina and Applied BioSystems have all introduced new gene sequencers that are far cheaper and faster than the ones that sequenced Venter's genes, but also less exacting.

FORBES: All Mapped Out

But Applied Bio lost most of the DNA sequencing market first to 454 Life Sciences, now owned by Roche, and then to Illumina of San Diego, which has become the dominant player in the DNA sequencing field.

FORBES: What Does This $14 Billion Deal Mean For The Future Of DNA Sequencing?