What you should know about sanger sequencing
Introduction
Sanger sequencing is a technique for determining the order of the four bases found in DNA fragments. This technique was developed by British biochemist, Frederick Sanger in 1977 and takes advantage of a chemical reaction that generates unique DNA sequences or 'base-calling' as you move from one end of a fragment to another.
This is called dideoxy sequencing and the end result is the same as standard Sanger sequencing which is a known sequence of base-calls.
What are the functions of Sanger sequencing?
Sanger sequencing is used for several reasons. Below are some of the reasons why Sanger sequencing may be used.
1. Used n DNA fingerprinting .
This is used for DNA fingerprinting where a known sequence is provided for comparison. As the technology progresses, so does the ability to find variations in the same person's DNA to be able to make a determination on DNA origin, as well as other factors.
2. Used for gene sequencing.
The DNA obtained may or may not be broken into smaller fragments for sequencing and analysis. This is used for sequencing some of your genes, and can be performed on a large scale depending upon the equipment available.
3. Use of Sanger sequencing in genome analysis.
This is again another example of DNA fingerprinting, but on a much larger scale and involves the determination of all the different genes present in one person's genome. In this instance, Sanger sequencing can be combined with other techniques to determine the structure of DNA, or even test for certain factors such as if you are a carrier for sickle cell anemia.
Conclusion
Sanger sequencing has been an extremely important development in biology and has led to a wealth of information being available in laboratories worldwide. The technique continues to be an essential tool in modern-day scientific research. The actual Sanger sequencing reaction is not the only form of sequencing available, however, it is the most common and widely used form. It is a very accurate method as long as strict quality control is followed.
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