How Do Scientists Sequence DNA?
In the basic process of DNA sequencing, there are three major steps. First, the genome must be first broken up into smaller pieces, a process called subcloning. These small pieces range from 50 million to 250 million bases long. Next, each short piece is used to make fragments that are slightly different lengths, differing by only one base. The fragments are run on an electrophoresis gel and separated. Finally, the fragments are lined up and put back together, revealing the entire genomic sequence. Overlapping sections of each piece and matching up the areas that are the same lets the scientists determine the correct order. Modern labs have automated sequencers that can carry out this formerly labor-intensive step via computer. document.getElementById(‘adsense_placeholder_2’).innerHTML = document.getElementById(‘adsense_ad_2_hidden’).innerHTML; BAC-to-BAC DNA Sequencing and Genome Shotgun Sequencing Methods There are two specific methods that scientists perform the actual sequencing of
