The Department of Health and Genomics England have unveiled a competition for small businesses as part of its major genome project that will see up to 100,000 people having their genetic makeup mapped.
 
The focus of the competition will be on innovative technologies including developments in the areas of bioinformatics, software pipelines, computer hardware and analysis algorithms. The DoH is investing up to £10 million in the competition which will run in two phases.
 
The first is intended to show the technical feasibility of the proposed concept and up to £2 million has been allocated. Only projects that have completed this stage will be eligible for the second phase, which is "typically intended to develop and evaluate prototypes or demonstration units from the more promising technologies".

The UK government's genome project was launched a year ago. Some £100 million has been set aside  for the initiative which will take place over the next three-five years and involve high-tech DNA mapping in patients with cancer and rare diseases.

The deadline for applications is February 5, 2014.