HERALD: When you learnt from your client-support team based in China that something big in the infectious-disease world might be brewing, what was your first reaction?
FRANCIS DESOUZA: Over the years, we have been involved with combating outbreaks including Ebola and MERS around the world, and we know how serious they can be. We realised right away that time was critical and I wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help, as quickly as we could.
H: The two months or so from when those first cases appeared to the revelation of the genetic sequence of the virus, SARS-CoV-2, were lightning fast in the scientific world. It took 13 years to map the human genome; the first draft was completed in 2001. How did you manage to do it so fast?
FDS: The genome of SARS-Cov2 (the virus behind Covid-19) was first sequenced in a couple of days on Illumina’s NovaSeq machines in China, and the results were published on January 10, 2020. That speed was only possible because of the enormous progress we have made in sequencing technology since the first human genome took 15 years to complete in 2001, at a cost of US $3 billion.
At Illumina, we are committed to democratising access to life saving genomic technology by continually innovating to bring the price of highly accurate genomic sequencing down. We released our first DNA sequencer in 2007 and the price to sequence your genome on it was US $150,000. Today you can sequence your genome on Illumina’s NovaSeq machines, more accurately, in two days and at a cost of US $600. This is greater than a 99 per cent reduction in the price. And I have publicly committed that we will develop technology to bring the price down to US $100 for a human genome.
H: What and who inspired you?
FDS: I am inspired by people dedicated to helping us solve the hard problems we face – from our incredible healthcare workers on the front lines of battling this pandemic, to researchers looking to improve cancer survival rates and tackle climate change.
H: Your company Illumina was launched in the late 1990s during the breathless run-up to scientists’ publishing the first draft map of the human genome in 2001. The journey started not too long ago but you have made it come up quite briskly. What is your adrenalin pump?
FDS: Our mission at Illumina is to improve human health by unlocking the power of the genome. We have made huge progress in the last two decades, and genomics is already improving health for millions around the world, from non-invasive pre-natal testing for pregnant mothers to helping cancer patients select the best therapies for them to helping India, and countries around the world, fight the pandemic. We are passionate about developing breakthrough technology to make genomics more accessible to everyone, and power the next wave of scientific discovery and medical advances.
H: Coming to Goa, what is your connection to the State?
FDS: My father is Goan. His father was from Parra, his mother was from Anjuna, and they settled in Duler after they married. My dad was born in Tanzania but brought up in Duler.
H: Have you ever visited Goa?
FDS: When I was little, we spent six months in Goa before transferring to Dubai, and during that time I attended St Anthony’s school in Duler. While growing up we would spend our summer holidays in Goa, at our grandparents’ home in Duler.
Now I live in California with my teenage daughters, and we come to Goa over the Christmas break. We spend most of our time with the family in Duler but also visit the beaches.
H: What stories do you remember of Goa?
FDS: I have many wonderful memories of Goa, mostly of the warmth, love and joy of our family and friends there. Growing up, I looked forward to going from the hot Dubai summers to the cool rains of the summer monsoon in Goa, getting Faloodas in the Mapusa market, flying kites in the fields by our house in Duler and spending time at the beautiful beaches like Benaulim.
There is also nothing like the delicious flavours of Goan food! My favourite dishes include sorpotel, prawn curry, Goa sausages, pork xacuti, kubes, and, of course, bebinca.
H: Anything else which you would like to share with our readers?
FDS: It has been an extremely difficult period around the world, and my heart goes out to everyone dealing with the devastating effects of this pandemic. Stay safe and let us continue to look after each other through this period. I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends in Goa again once we are past this pandemic.
(The interview was coordinated by former State badminton champion Michael de Sa, a relative of Francis DeSouza)
