Sanger Sequencing

Sanger sequencing is a method used to determine the precise order of DNA bases in a strand. Developed by Frederick Sanger in the 1970s, it involves copying a DNA segment and incorporating special molecules called dideoxynucleotides that cause the copying process to stop at specific points. This generates different-sized DNA fragments, each ending at a known base. These fragments are then sorted by size and read on a gel or through automated machines, allowing researchers to reconstruct the sequence of the original DNA strand accurately. It’s widely used in genetics and genomics for identifying gene sequences.