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
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The startup, Pilgrim, has built a 50-pound tripod-mounted hardware device called Argus that is packed with sensors that combines air sampling and genomic sequencing to detect biological threats, like Ebola or anthrax.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Researchers used genomic sequencing to search for signs that dormant viruses had become active again.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
“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
However, estate agent Avison Young said the facility provided an opportunity for businesses to "fill supply gaps" in the life sciences sector, in areas such as precision medicine, diagnostic testing or genomic sequencing.
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2023
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