From Sanger to genome sequencing – an overview of DNA sequencing technologies

Abstract

There is no technique that would make a greater contribution to the development of genetics, molecular biology and medicine than DNA sequencing. For many years, the method based on enzymatic DNA synthesis developed by Frederic Sanger was the gold standard in this area and its modifications are still used today. At the end of the 20th century, there was a dynamic development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, which ended the era of single gene analysis and initiated the era of genome sequencing. Despite fierce competition, one NGS technology has practically completely dominated the global market. In the article, we present our own review of DNA sequencing methods, starting from the Sanger method to high-throughput second-and third-generation sequencing technologies, with particular emphasis on those that have achieved commercial success. We present their short history, principles of operation, technical possibilities, applications and limitations. In the summary, we comment the human genome sequencing costs at the current stage of the genomic revolution and outline the prospects for further development of genomics.