Next-generation sequencing

Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as high-throughput sequencing, is a term used to describe a number of different modern sequencing technologies. These technologies allow for sequencing of DNA and RNA much more quickly and cheaply than the previously used Sanger sequencing, and as such have revolutionized the study of genomics and molecular biology.

History

The term "next-generation" implies that these technologies are a step beyond the first sequencing technology, Sanger sequencing. The development of these technologies started in the early 2000s and have since been continually developed, with major improvements in speed, capacity and accuracy.

Technologies

There are several types of next-generation sequencing technologies including Illumina (Solexa) sequencing, Roche 454 sequencing, Ion torrent: Proton / PGM sequencing, SOLiD sequencing, and more recently Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Each of these technologies has its own strengths and weaknesses, and therefore they are used for different applications.

Applications

Next-generation sequencing technologies have a wide range of applications in biological and medical research, including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, metagenomics, phylogenetics, forensics, personalized medicine, and agricultural biology.

Challenges

Despite the many advantages of next-generation sequencing technologies, there are also several challenges that need to be addressed. These include the high cost of sequencing, the need for specialized equipment and trained personnel, and the challenge of managing and analyzing the large amounts of data generated by these technologies.

See also

• DNA sequencing
• Genomics
• Molecular biology

Next-generation sequencing Resources
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