DNA sequencing is considered an important aspect of modern genetics and genomics research. It enables scientists to decipher the genetic code of organisms. With the introduction of sequencing technologies, researchers have access to a variety of DNA sequencing methods. Each of these methods is suited for scientific goals and research applications. Here are some different types of DNA sequencing methods. This blog post compares the methods used and the various approaches that fit into specific research needs. To delve deep into the global DNA Sequencing industry kindly go through the Coherent Market Insights website.
Sanger Sequencing: The Classical Approach
This method is also known as chain-termination sequencing. It is one of the most established and widely used DNA sequencing techniques. This method was developed by Frederick Sanger in the 1970s, it has been a gold standard for sequencing small DNA fragments. It works by the integration of chain-terminating nucleotides at the time of DNA replication. It allows the sequences to be determined on the basis of the size of the resulting fragments.
Use Cases:
- It is widely used in small region DNA sequencing and conforming specific genetic variations.
- It is used in clinical applications such as detecting mutations in genes that are associated with these diseases.
- It provides high accuracy in short DNA fragments (ranging up to 1000 base pairs)
It is considered a reliable and accurate method and well suited for large scale projects. These large-scale projects include whole genome sequencing and high throughput applications.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): High-Throughput Power
This method is well-suited for the modern sequencing technologies. It enables massively parallel sequencing of millions of DNA fragments. The next-generation sequencing method will lead to increased throughput and make it an ideal method for large-scale and complex sequencing projects.
Key Techniques:
- Illumina Sequencing: it is a widely used NGS platform that uses reversible terminator-based chemistry. It is a highly scalable method, with various applications including targeted gene sequencing and whole genome sequencing.
- PacBio Sequencing: It provides long-read sequencing with a high rate of accuracy. It is especially used in large data sequencing and repetitive regions of genome and de novo assembly.
- Ion Torrent Sequencing: it uses semiconductor technology to detect the pH changes as nucleotides. It also offers fast sequencing at a low cost as compared to the other NGS methods.
NGS is revolutionizing the way that enables high-throughput sequencing that is fast and cost-effective as compared to Sanger sequencing in the case of large datasets.
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
It is about sequencing the whole organism’s genome. It provides a comprehensive view of all the genetic data. With the integration of NSG technology, WGS technology has become more accessible. It enables the researchers to explore genetic variations globally.
Use Cases:
- Identification of genetic variations that are associated with the disease such as rare genetic disorders.
- Comparative genomics and evolutionary biology.
- Population genetics and study of genetic diversity.
It is used in understanding the blueprint of an organism. It also makes the use of resource-intensive in terms of data storage and analysis.
High Throughput Sequencing Techniques
This refers to the methods that can sequence large amounts of DNA in a short span of time. The NGS technique is considered a prominent example of high-throughput sequencing. It provides researchers with the ability to sequence millions of fragmented DNA simultaneously. These evolutions made in the field of sequencing platforms will lead to pushing the boundaries of genomics.
