Sequencing

The ability to determine the composition and order of nucleic acids in a strand of DNA or RNA has profound implications for understanding modern genetics and numerous fields that are essential for disease research and a better understanding of all organisms. The ability to sequence nucleic acids is not only useful for deciphering an organism’s genetic code but also provides researchers with a powerful tool, in combination with additional molecular technologies, to easily manipulate DNA sequences and verify those changes through sequencing. As coding DNA functions as the coded information for proteins, researchers can now custom design recombinant proteins that contain a large variety of functional elements and are widely used to answer an equally large number of important research questions. For additional whole-genome sequencing reagents and guides, please visit Next-Generation Sequencing resource.

Sanger Sequencing

Early on, analytical chemistry methods were able to determine nucleic acid composition. However, Fred Sanger and colleagues developed methods - initially using radiolabeled digested fragments and two-dimensional fractionation - to provide some of the first complete nucleic sequences. Advancements in the field continued for several decades, with each improvement adding to a growing library of sequenced proteins and genomes. These improvements include the separation of nucleotides by length using gel electrophoresis followed by capillary electrophoresis. Additionally, the incorporation of fluorescently-labeled nucleotides and automated computer analysis of each nucleic acid fragment all now define the modern Sanger sequencing method.