After researchers last year reported a method for sequencing DNA in real time at the single molecule level, the scientific community has been eagerly awaiting the chance to test out this so-called next-next-generation technology on their own samples.

That wait will soon be over. Pacific Biosciences, of Menlo Park, California, yesterday announced the first 10 recipients of its ‘single molecule real time’ (SMRT) sequencing system. These lucky clients, which were chosen amongst a pool of 30 applicants, should get their kits in the first half of 2010. Similar programs are planned for Europe and Asia later this year, Forbes reports.

PacBio’s DNA sequencers can read continuous stretches of DNA that are thousands of base pairs long at a rate of several nucleotides per second. Such technology could someday allow researchers to sequence an entire genome within minutes for less than $1,000. But for now, each of the awarded institutions will be dishing out close to $700,000 for the privilege of testing out the machines.

Here’s a map of the 10 early adopters: