Tag: next-generation sequencing

Adaptor molecules replace primers in sample preparation for next-generation sequencing

May 10, 2024

In conventional Sanger sequencing, there is a need for a sequencing primer for the DNA polymerase to latch on, and continue the polymerisation cum sequencing of the DNA molecule. But such sequencing primer is mysteriously absent in many next-generation DNA sequencing applications. Why is that so? This comes about because the adaptor molecules that bind … More Adaptor molecules replace primers in sample preparation for next-generation sequencing

Long sequence reads are no longer less accurate than short reads with advances in third generation sequencing

April 2, 2024

Next generation sequencing technologies which have been at the forefront of genomics in the past decade benefits primarily from the accuracies of short sequence reads. But, short sequence reads suffer from deficiencies in enabling the deciphering of repeats or structural variation regions of the DNA. To this end, third generation sequencing come to the fore … More Long sequence reads are no longer less accurate than short reads with advances in third generation sequencing

Cost of synthesis is the main barrier to longer read RNA-sequencing

March 24, 2024

Modern RNA-sequencing relies on next-generation short read sequencing technologies to profile for the total ensemble of mRNA molecules in the sample. Conceptually, it is a formidable challenge as there are literally millions of mRNA molecules that need to be sequenced. The cost of this endeavour is also hefty. To reduce the cost to a manageable … More Cost of synthesis is the main barrier to longer read RNA-sequencing

Next-generation sequencing is more affordable than capillary sequencing for large genomics projects

October 27, 2023

Biology has entered the genomics age, and many biology-related projects require some form of DNA sequencing. Typically, these efforts would involve profiling of new genetic variants to add to our repertoire of gene sequences that could be used, collectively, to correlate with phenotypes or symptoms profile. Depending on the scale of the endeavour and the … More Next-generation sequencing is more affordable than capillary sequencing for large genomics projects

Next-generation sequencing offers a nice solution for efficient profiling of single nucleotide polymorphisms across the whole genome

October 25, 2023

Mutations underpin evolution, and is the bedrock of many types of analysis for understanding the evolutionary relationships between organisms. One type of mutation is single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are single nucleotide changes in the coding gene. Such SNPs have been widely used to compare and understand the genetic variation, and evolutionary trajectories of different … More Next-generation sequencing offers a nice solution for efficient profiling of single nucleotide polymorphisms across the whole genome

Very difficult to assemble a genome based on short read sequencing data

January 2, 2023

Genome sequencing is commonly viewed to be routine now by lay people. But, this is not the case. Genome sequencing and downstream assembly remains an active area of research that can benefit from better, faster, and more efficient algorithms that can reduce the need for expensive computational power. In the contemporary era, short read sequencing … More Very difficult to assemble a genome based on short read sequencing data

Advances in nanopore sequencing has afforded direct sequencing of RNA molecules

September 8, 2022

Sequencing of DNA molecules have become routine, particularly with the advent of lower cost next-generation and third generation sequencing technologies. However, direct sequencing of RNA molecules has not been possible until recent advances in nanopore sequencing technologies. Currently, refinements in nanopore sequencing technologies have allowed the detection of uracil through current blockages, and this has … More Advances in nanopore sequencing has afforded direct sequencing of RNA molecules

Spatial transcriptomics provide unprecedented access to gene expression information at the location-specific tissue or organ level

October 9, 2021

Nucleic acids-based sequencing techniques such as RNA-seq has revolutionized efforts to obtain differential gene expression patterns of cells. Specifically, time-consuming and expensive DNA microarrays were dominant in the earliest days of differential gene expression analysis. But, the approach has made a comeback in a different format in what is known as spatial transcriptomics. Specifically, spatial … More Spatial transcriptomics provide unprecedented access to gene expression information at the location-specific tissue or organ level

Throughput advantages of next-generation sequencing must be considered together with the need for multiple coverage of genome

March 5, 2021

Next generation sequencing technologies such as those from Ion Torrent and Illumina are characterized by short read sequencing. Specifically, long DNA sequences are fragmented into short stretches for sequencing. Such an approach relies on powerful bioinformatics algorithms for sequence assembly, but gains an advantage in enabling higher throughput compared to long read single molecule real-time … More Throughput advantages of next-generation sequencing must be considered together with the need for multiple coverage of genome

Probing expression of specific pathway genes with targeted RNA sequencing

November 9, 2020

Many types of biological studies require information on the expression levels of specific pathway genes for elucidating underlying mechanisms of disease or particular phenotypic presentation. Such studies typically require the use of DNA or protein microarray for probing the expression levels of specific genes in a pathway. Alternatively, the levels of proteins encoded by the … More Probing expression of specific pathway genes with targeted RNA sequencing