Sekventointi

Sekventointi, often translated as sequencing, refers to the process of determining the order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule, or the order of amino acids in a protein. This molecular information is fundamental to understanding biological processes and has revolutionized fields like genetics, medicine, and evolutionary biology.

In molecular biology, DNA sequencing is the most common application. It involves chemically or physically reading the sequence of the four bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Early methods like Sanger sequencing were labor-intensive but provided foundational genomic data. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has dramatically increased throughput and reduced costs, enabling large-scale genomic projects such as the Human Genome Project and the sequencing of countless other organisms.

RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a related technique used to study the transcriptome, the complete set of RNA transcripts in a cell or organism. This provides insights into gene expression levels, alternative splicing, and the presence of novel RNA molecules. Protein sequencing, though less common due to protein complexity and the availability of genomic data, is used to determine the amino acid sequence of a protein, which is crucial for understanding its function and structure.

The applications of sequencing are vast. In medicine, it aids in diagnosing genetic diseases, identifying pathogens, and developing personalized treatments. In evolutionary biology, it allows scientists to trace evolutionary relationships between species and understand adaptation. In agriculture, it helps in breeding improved crops and livestock. The ongoing advancements in sequencing technologies continue to push the boundaries of biological discovery.