How did DNA sequencing impact and lead to the genomics revolution? Explain in great detail why this technology is important.

 

DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleic acid sequence - the order of nucleotides in DNA. It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. The advent of rapid DNA sequencing methods has greatly accelerated biological and medical research and discovery. Knowledge of DNA sequences has become indispensable for basic biological research, and in numerous applied fields such as medical diagnosis, biotechnology, forensic biology, virology and biological systematics. Comparing healthy and mutated DNA sequences can diagnose different diseases including various cancers, characterize antibody repertoire, and can be used to guide patient treatment. Having a quick way to sequence DNA allows for faster and more individualized medical care to be administered, and for more organisms to be identified and cataloged.

The rapid speed of sequencing attained with modern DNA sequencing technology has been instrumental in the sequencing of complete DNA sequences, or genomes, of numerous types and species of life, including the human genome and other complete DNA sequences of many animal, plant, and microbial species.

It is efficient and very sensitive to make millions or billions of copies of any required sequence of DNA. This technique can amplify sequences even if present in minute or small amount. PCR reaction generate copies of the target sequence exponentially. It is an indispensable tool in modern molecular biology & transformed scientific research and diagnostic medicine.

DNA sequencing determines the order of "bases" which make up the DNA molecule. The sequence helps scientists to know about the kind of genetic information that is carried in a specific DNA segment.

DNA sequencing methods have evolved rapidly as next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. It makes sequencing of large stretches of DNA cheaper and faster. This technique enables sequencing of entire genomes on large scale and allowed for the rapid development in the field of genomics.

It uses clonal amplification and sequencing by synthesis (SBS) chemistry to enable rapid and accurate sequencing of DNA.