Applications of High-Throughput Sequencing

Abstract

Although different instruments for massively parallel sequencing exist, each with their own chemistry, resolution, error types, error frequencies, throughput and costs; the principle behind them is similar: to deduce an original sequence of bases by sampling many templates. The wide array of applications derives from the biological sources and methods used to manufacture the sequencing libraries and the analytic routines employed. By using DNA as source material, a whole genome can be sequenced or, through amplification methods, a more detailed reconstruction of a specific locus can be obtained. Transcriptomes can also be studied by capturing and sequencing different types of RNA. Other capture methods such as cross-linking followed by immunoprecipitation can be used to study DNA–protein interactions. We will explore these applications and others in the following sections and explain the different analysis strategies that are used to analyze each data type.