Abstract

DNA sequencing is a fundamental technique in molecular biology that has revolutionized our understanding of genetics and genomics. This article provides an overview of DNA sequencing, its historical development, and its significance in various fields of research and applications. The technique has evolved from the pioneering Sanger sequencing method to the emergence of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Third-Generation Sequencing technologies. NGS enables high-throughput sequencing, while third-generation sequencing provides long-read capabilities. These advancements have fuelled applications in medical genetics, agriculture, environmental sciences, forensics, and anthropology. DNA sequencing plays a crucial role in diagnosing genetic diseases, guiding personalized medicine, improving crops, monitoring microbial diversity, solving criminal cases, and studying human evolution. The future of DNA sequencing holds promise for further advancements in single-cell sequencing, epigenetic studies, and portable sequencing devices. The continued development of DNA sequencing technologies will undoubtedly contribute to on-going discoveries, enabling us to unravel the complexities of life’s genetic code.