Is Bioinformatics–and Open-Source Software–in ABI’s Future?

“Open sourcing “could have tremendous value for the community and Applied Biosystems,” pointed out Steven Brenner, an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and an open-source advocate. Open sourcing “allows more people to integrate more systems.”

Jeffrey Chang, a consultant with Dalke Scientific Software, agreed: “Their [bioinformatics] tools really aren’t where they make money. Open-sourcing them could result in better quality and more widely usable tools, which would help out” ABI.

But a move toward open-sourcing would abound with challenges for ABI just as it presents challenges for most companies that decide to take the plunge.”