DNA sequencing: Methods and applications

Abstract

Determination of the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule is popularly known as DNA sequencing. About three decades ago in the year 1977, Sanger and Maxam-Gilbert made a breakthrough that revolutionized the world of biological sciences by sequencing the 5,386-base bacteriophage φX174. From the year 1977 to till date DNA sequencing came across much advancement in terms of sequencing tools and techniques. The modern era DNA sequencing are dealing with Next generation sequencing and many other advancement are available to the researchers, practitioners, and academicians at a very reasonable cost with highest accuracy. The biological databases are being flooded with a huge flow of sequences coming out from various organisms across the world. Today the researchers and scientists across the various fields are utilizing these data for a variety of applications including food security by developing better crops and crop yields, livestock, improved diagnostics, prognostics, and therapies for many complex diseases.