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 us to sequence 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 so-called "first-generation" sequencing (Sanger sequencing). The development of next generation sequencing technologies has made sequencing an affordable approach for many labs and has been applied to a wide range of biological disciplines.

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. Each of these technologies has its own strengths and weaknesses, and therefore they are chosen based on the needs of the particular project.

Applications

Next-generation sequencing technologies have a wide range of applications, including genomic sequencing, genome resequencing, transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq), DNA-protein interactions (ChIP-sequencing), and genome-wide methylation profiling.

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 equipment and reagents, the need for specialized computational resources to handle the large amount of data generated, and the need for specialized expertise to interpret the results.

See also

• DNA sequencing
• Genomics
• Molecular biology

References

Next generation sequencing Resources
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