Sequencing

In genetics and biochemistry, sequencing means to determine the primary structure (or primary sequence) of an unbranched biopolymer. Sequencing results in a symbolic linear depiction known as a sequence which succinctly summarizes much of the atomic-level structure of the sequenced molecule.

In genetics terminology, sequencing is most often restricted to determining the nucleotides of a DNA or RNA strand. Methods to perform DNA or RNA sequencing include:

• chromosome walking
• shotgun sequencing
• Chain termination method

Methods for performing protein sequencing include:

• Edman degradation
• mass spectrometry
• protease digests

Though polysaccharides are biopolymers, it is not so common to talk of sequencing a polysaccharide, because a symbolic linear depiction cannot capture their tendency to branch and to bond to one other in different ways.

See also Genetic code

External links

• Information on genome projects, and the data they have produced at the National Center for Biotechnology Information