Automated DNA sequencing technique is the origin to conclude many human genome projects leading to the birth of genomics.Automated DNA Sequencing is the modern technique which enables in sequencing the DNA strands automatically. There are many other Traditional methods for DNA sequencing in which radioactive isotopes are used to label the DNA strand. So there is generation of huge amount of radioactive waste after the process. Instead in Automated DNA Sequencing, fluorescent tracers are utilised which helps in reducing the radioactive waste.
The process of Automated DNA Sequencing is done by the DNA sequencer. DNA sequencer is a device which helps in the sequencing of the DNA sample provided. It helps in the arrangement of the nucleotides which are the basic units of the DNA. Thus the sequencer determines the order of arrangement of the bases Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C) and Thymine (T) accordingly.
Modern automated DNA Sequencing instruments will sequence multiple samples in a single batch and will complete sequencing of many batched in a single day unlike the previous instruments. A DNA sequencer will have lasers which emit a wavelength. This wavelength is then absorbed by the fluorescent dye that is attached to the DNA strand. Thus the fluorescent dye starts to emit the light at a particular wavelength, which is detected by the optical detectors. From the output of the detector, the presence or absence of the DNA strand is known. By the length of the DNA strand and the time of the detector, DNA sequencing is done. The output of the machines is assembler either manually or by computer software. This is called as Sequence assembly. Any reading errors in the process of sequencing are adjusted or covered up by good DNA sequence.
