Most people today are familiar with DNA testing to find out about their heritage, but modern technology takes this science to the next step. Many people receive specialized treatments for cancer and a wide range of health concerns thanks to equipment like an Illumina DNA Sequencer. But what is sequencing? Here is a closer look to give you a better idea.
Sequencing Explained
A sequence is a specific order of things in which one thing follows another. This can include a timeline or chronology, and the same is true with genetics. Every strand of DNA contains four bases:
* Cytosine
* Guanine
* Thymine
* Adenine
The order in which things called nuclei tides appear along genomes and chromosomes determines a set of genetic instructions. These instructions control just about every facet of life including plant and animal life. So why is genetic order important?
By breaking down genetic material, modern science can determine faults or problems which can someday get corrected. Rapid sequencing is possible today thanks to equipment like the Illumina DNA Sequencer.
DNA Sequencing Benefits
By knowing the exact genetic order, you can tell one person from another. This science sees a great deal of use in modern forensics. Before DNA testing, tests like blood type and secretions were the standard, and they could not always provide definitive results.
Equipment like an Illumina DNA Sequencer can help to determine things like paternity. This is an important consideration for several reasons. First, if there is disagreement on who the father of a baby is, genetic testing can remove all doubt.
Inherited conditions
Some diseases are inherited, and it helps if you know you are susceptible to them. For example, some women choose to have mastectomies prior to having breast cancer if their DNA testing shows they are at high risk. This testing gets used for many kinds of conditions and diseases.