dideoxy method

The dideoxy method, also known as Sanger sequencing, is a technique used to determine the exact order of DNA building blocks (nucleotides). It works by copying a DNA segment in the presence of special molecules called dideoxynucleotides, which stop DNA extension when incorporated. By including different types of these molecules and labeling the resulting fragments with dyes, scientists can produce a set of DNA pieces ending at every possible position. When these fragments are separated by size, the sequence can be read from the pattern of colors, revealing the DNA's precise nucleotide order.