Next-Generation Sequencing: Revolutionizing the Speed, Scale, and Scope of Genetic Information Analysis
Next-Generation Sequencing (**NGS**), also referred to as massively parallel sequencing, represents a colossal technological leap from earlier methods, transforming the ability of scientists to determine the precise order of nucleotides across entire genomes or targeted DNA/RNA regions with unparalleled speed, output, and reduced cost. This ultra-high-throughput capability has fundamentally restructured research across virtually all life sciences, enabling an unbiased and comprehensive approach to genetic inquiry that was previously considered impractical or impossible. NGS now serves as an indispensable tool in both fundamental biological discovery and complex clinical diagnostics. [Image of a flow diagram illustrating the NGS workflow: library preparation, sequencing, and data analysis]
The methodology of NGS is rooted in a different principle than its predecessor, Sanger sequencing. The most common technique, **Sequencing by Synthesis (SBS)**, involves tracking the sequential addition of fluorescently labeled nucleotides as a complementary DNA strand is built. Crucially, this process is performed in a **massively…
