DNA Sequencing: Unlocking the Blueprint of Life
DNA sequencing is one of the most transformative technologies in modern biology and medicine. It involves determining the precise order of nucleotides—adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine—in a DNA molecule. This information provides insights into the genetic blueprint of an organism, enabling advances in healthcare, agriculture, forensic science, and evolutionary studies.
The primary goal of DNA sequencing is to decode genetic information. By knowing the sequence of genes, scientists can identify mutations responsible for genetic disorders, study the function of specific genes, and explore the complex interactions that influence traits and diseases. The knowledge gained from sequencing has paved the way for personalized medicine, where treatments can be tailored to an individual’s genetic profile.
Early DNA sequencing methods, such as the Sanger method, laid the foundation for modern genomics. While highly accurate, these methods were time-consuming and costly. The introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS)…