Complete Genomics — commercial human genome sequencing company

Technology and services

The company's offering combined its proprietary sequencing platform with bioinformatics pipelines to translate raw data into variant calls and annotated genomes. Services typically included sample handling, library preparation, sequencing, read processing, alignment to a human reference and reporting of single nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, and structural variants. Customers used the service for medical genetics, population studies, oncology research and other projects that required high‑coverage human genome data.

History and development

Complete Genomics announced its first completed human genome in early 2009 and submitted sequence data to public repositories. In November 2009 the company published sequence data from three human genomes, and by the end of that year had processed several dozen genomes for customers and collaborators. Over the following years the company scaled operations and, according to public statements, had sequenced tens of thousands of genomes by the mid‑2010s.

Acquisition and corporate context

In March 2013 Complete Genomics was acquired by BGI‑Shenzhen, a large genomics services organization based in Shenzhen, China. BGI provides sequencing and bioinformatics services across research, clinical, agricultural and environmental applications, and the acquisition integrated Complete Genomics' human‑focused sequencing capabilities into BGI's broader service portfolio.

Applications and notable projects

Customers and collaborators used Complete Genomics' services for a range of purposes: population genomics, rare disease and intellectual disability research, clinical genomics investigations, and large‑scale sequencing projects. For example, academic collaborations in the 2010s used Complete Genomics data to investigate genetic causes of intellectual disability and other conditions. The company also deposited sequence datasets into public databases to support reproducibility and secondary analysis.

Distinctive features and legacy

Complete Genomics was notable for offering an end‑to‑end, service‑oriented model dedicated to human whole‑genome sequencing rather than selling instruments. This positioned it as a partner for researchers and clinicians who preferred an outsourced approach to generate finished genomes. After acquisition by BGI, many of its capabilities were incorporated into a larger, global sequencing services operation, contributing to the expansion of affordable human genome sequencing for research and clinical use.

Selected links and references

• Company profile and overview
• Biotechnology sector context
• DNA analysis and sequencing
• Commercial service model
• Human genome sequencing platform
• Mountain View, California location
• Genomics services industry
• BGI‑Shenzhen organization
• Guangdong province context
• Sequencing and bioinformatics services
• Medical and clinical applications
• Agricultural and environmental uses
• First completed human genome announcement
• Data submission to public repositories
• Sequence databases and archives
• Published sequence datasets
• Journal publication reference
• Science journal context
• Academic collaborations (Radboud, Maastricht)
• Study on intellectual disability genetics