genomic sequencing
Americannoun
Closer Look
The technique that allows researchers to read and decipher the genetic information found in the DNA of anything from bacteria to plants to animals is called genomic sequencing. Once a tedious, painstaking process, today, thanks to new techniques and the advent of powerful computers, it has been sped up a hundredfold. Sequencing involves determining the order of bases, the nucleotide subunits (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, referred to by the letters A, G, C and T) found in DNA. (Humans have about 3 billion base pairs.) Three nucleotides in a row specify one kind of amino acid, and a gene is defined by a long string of these triplets. There are various techniques to read the sequence of these “letters” in genes and genomes. So-called shotgun sequencing was used to help decode the human genome. Using this method, the DNA to be sequenced is first broken apart with enzymes, since gene-sequencing machines can only handle small stretches of DNA at a time. Once these random fragments are sequenced, powerful supercomputers compare overlapping sections and recreate the original, long strand. By decoding genomes and sequencing genes, researchers are beginning to understand how those strings of letters work together to create a living organism.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Palacios is involved in a genomic sequencing of the virus, and so far it looks similar to previous versions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026
To do this, Risatti explains that the team established a workflow using standard techniques to streamline processes to analyze the visual characteristics, called phenotype, and to analyze their genotype with genomic sequencing.
From Science Daily ● May 22, 2024
“But the authors have done a spectacular job of using state of the art tools, combining genomic sequencing, the fossil record, and estimates of flowering plant biodiversity, in a single framework.”
From Science Magazine ● Apr. 23, 2024
State subsidies have allowed BGI to offer genomic sequencing services at a highly competitive price that is attractive to U.S. researchers, according to the commission.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 18, 2024
"The identification of this case highlights the importance of our flu surveillance and genomic sequencing in helping us to identify and learn more about new viruses."
From BBC ● Dec. 11, 2023
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