Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), also called high-throughput sequencing, has revolutionized genomics by allowing the rapid and cost-effective determination of DNA or RNA sequences at an unprecedented scale. Unlike traditional Sanger sequencing, which processes individual DNA fragments one at a time, NGS performs millions of sequencing reactions in parallel—fragmenting the genetic sample, sequencing these fragments, and reassembling them either by comparing to a reference genome or via de novo assembly.


Key features of NGS include its ability to interrogate whole genomes, exomes, or targeted gene panels; its high sensitivity for detecting single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), structural variants, or even rare alleles; and its broad application in disease diagnostics, precision medicine, epidemiology, and evolutionary studies. The analog front end: library preparation, adapter ligation, amplification (depending on platform), sequencing chemistry; followed by computational steps, including base calling, alignment, variant calling, and annotation.



Challenges remain: managing vast amounts of data, controlling for errors (e.g., in PCR, sequencing chemistry), and ensuring clinical validity. Still, NGS is an essential engine driving discovery across biological sciences and medicine today.