Determining the DNA sequence is the most comprehensive way of obtaining information about the genome of any living organism. For decades, Sanger sequencing [1] using fluorescently labeled terminating nucleotides and electrophoresis has been the gold standard sequencing technology. Sanger sequencing made an early impact in the field of microbial genomics, with the first complete bacterial genome, Haemophilus influenzae, sequenced in 1995.

Multicenter collaborations using numerous sequencing instruments and automated sample preparation also made it possible to use Sanger sequencing in the human genome project, which took more than 10 years and US$2.7 billion to complete .

In recent years, we have witnessed a rapid development of a new generation of DNA sequencing systems followed by a multitude of novel applications in biology and medicine. The major advantage of the new 'second-generation' or 'massively parallel' sequencing technologies, compared to Sanger sequencing, is their considerably higher throughput and thereby lower cost per sequenced base.

Regards
Lucie Morgan,

Journal Coordinator,
Journal of Next Generation Sequencing and Technologies.