A Deep Dive into Fetal Bovine Serum, The Lifeblood of Cell Culture

FBS or Fetal Bovine Serum is also known as Fetal Calf Serum. It is a typical component of animal cell culture media broadly used in both industrial research and academic biology sectors as a supplement in cell culture applications for basal growth medium. Fetal bovine serum is usually harvested from pregnant cows' bovine fetuses during slaughter. It is the amber-coloured blood fraction left after the natural clot formation of blood. After that, the centrifugation process is applied for further refining. It removes the serum's remaining blood cells, low-solubility proteins, and coagulation fibrinogens. The final product is a rich source of proteins used as a critical growth factor supporting cell growth in culture.

Today, we will provide a comprehensive overview of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and its uses. Finally, we will also reveal the name of the leading life science research-support company offering USDA-approved US-origin FBS. Let's begin.

Fetal Bovine Serum Overview

FBS is an extensively used serum supplement for the in vitro cell culture of eukaryotic cells. It has many growth factors and also contains a lower level of antibodies. These factors pave the way for versatility in different cell culture applications. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), a globular protein, is the major component of fetal bovine serum. FBS also contains many other rich protein varieties that help maintain cultured cells in a medium where they can survive, develop, and divide.

Since FBS is a biological product, its exact composition varies from batch to batch. It causes problems in research as reproducing the result becomes difficult. In fact, in a report published in Nature, Baker said that around 80% of biological researchers cannot repeat the results of others' experiments. 60% of biologists can't even repeat their own experimental outcomes.

To navigate this problem, scientists have developed a serum-free chemically defined medium known as CDM. It is typically made of synthetic ingredients with recognized compositions. As a result, they are more consistent than FBS regarding reducing variability in research results. However, even CDM has some limitations as it lacks many nutrients cells require to grow. Some cell lines still need FBS for optimal growth.

Its Uses

We have already discussed the primary use of fetal bovine serum. It is used as a growth supplement for in vitro cell culture and aids in:

1. Providing nutrients, transport proteins, trace elements, adherence, etc.
2. Supplying hormones for cell proliferation and growth
3. Triggering cell differentiation
4. Creating an appropriate environment for cell growth with detoxifying and stabilizing factors

Academic researchers and scientists from the biotechnological and pharmaceutical sectors also rely on the treasured properties of FBS for many specific applications. The list includes but not limited to:

1. Cloning
2. Biopharmaceuticals
3. Cryopreservation
4. Production of synthetic protein
5. Stem-cell research
6. Animal diagnostics
7. Production of viral vector and vaccine
8. Immunotherapy
9. In vitro fertilization
10. Cell and gene therapy

Buy USDA-Approved US-Origin FBS

Bio Basic, the leading Canadian life science research-support company, offers USDA-approved US-origin fetal bovine serum in two categories. Kindly note that this product is currently only available in Canada. Contact us now to learn more about each option and pricing.

Want to Save Your Research Time and Effort? Outsource Your Cloning and DNA Fragment Needs to Us

Gene synthesis, a common practice of synthetic biology, includes a variety of methods to construct and assemble genes from nucleotides de novo. This process is also known as artificial gene synthesis. Contrasting DNA synthesis in living cells, it does not need template DNA. It allows any DNA sequence to be synthesized in the lab.

The synthesis process contains two key steps. The first of which is called solid-phase DNA synthesis. It is sometimes also known as DNA printing, producing oligonucleotide fragments (typically under 200 base pairs). The next step includes connecting the oligonucleotide fragments by capitalizing on different DNA assembly methods. Since artificial gene synthesis does not require template DNA, making an utterly synthetic DNA molecule is theoretically possible with zero limitations on the nucleotide size or sequence.

Gene synthesis is a highly effective and handy solution for scientists and researchers who want to avoid in-house cloning steps and jump directly to practical studies with fully sequence-verified clonal DNA. Here comes another important question – where should researchers and scientists look for custom gene synthesis services? The rest of this post aims to answer that.

Bio Basic, the leading gene manufacturer, is helping researchers to meet their molecular biology needs without compromising on quality. We have 15+ years of experience in this field. So far, we have synthesized millions of base pairs of genes as a silent OEM for biologists and molecular scientists across the globe. We can also do the same for you. From small custom projects to large-scale operations, you can opt for Bio Basic, irrespective of your requirements.

Our gene synthesis cost is highly economical. However, we don’t compromise with quality in order to make our service affordable. In fact, our reputation as gene synthesis experts is only getting increasingly emphasized as other players from this field have failed to deliver large and complex genes. On the other hand, we have more than a 95% completion rate even when constructing and assembling complex gene sequences.

Most gene synthesis service providers rely on silicon well-based platforms. It limits the construction of genes to small and simple ones. Therefore, they fail to assist in significant parts of challenging gene projects. However, our years of experience in this field helped us to crack this mystery. Even though we use inexpensive technology, our team has successfully developed proprietary enzymes and reagents and figured out the best way to utilize them for production without following substandard synthesis practices.

Along with gene synthesis cloning, we also offer several other services, including oligo-synthesis, DNA sequencing, protein production, antibody production, etc. Get in touch with us to learn more about Bio Basic and our comprehensive solutions. Let our team construct custom DNA with 100% sequence accuracy and help you meet your specific research needs.

Visit us at MEDICA 2023.

website.

Impacts of Automation on DNA Synthesis: A Brief Guide Explained

Recent studies show that the field of synthetic biology has achieved incredible progress with the advancement of technology, for instance, the generation of synthetic RNA and DNA synthesis. All thanks to Automation! The implementation of the automation process in high-throughput DNA synthesis services has made ambitious research projects, like DNA sequencing and drug discoveries, easier than ever!

If you wonder whether automation has any impact in terms of DND synthesis, today’s blog is for you. Let’s get started.

How Is the Automation Process Improving DNA Synthesis Services?

Synthetic biology involves three-part cycles, including design, build, and test, enabling the genome to recognize key molecules and their functions, while driving the modern innovations, whether it be next-generation cell therapies or therapeutic antibody developments. Now, the progress depends on the tools, making the workflows more efficient, where automation comes into play!

Automation allows synthetic biology to keep pace with different technologies, such as RNA and DNA synthesis, rapid DNA sequencing, biophysical screening, and much more. Moreover, it accelerates the testing and design of the sequences, ensuring to meet the demand in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. Otherwise, the turnaround times can be too long for complex projects, in particular.

That’s why different pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers are eliminating the implementation of synthetic biology bottlenecks in research, especially DNA synthesis and DNA sequencing services, and embracing automated synthetic biology platforms to welcome the new age of discovery. For example:

Antibody discovery

According to recent studies, antibody-based therapeutic generations in the past identified simple targets, whereas new drug candidates nowadays target more complex ones, such as ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors. Any of such discoveries start with DNA sequencing and end with screening, which are proven to be highly efficient procedures. With traditional DNA synthesis, it may take months due to complex antibody sequencing, whether new drug candidates are synthesized and cloned every time.

But, when there are challenging timelines, automated benchtops in DNA synthesis can save your day by supporting high-throughputs seamlessly during the workflows. Also, it helps researchers determine proprietary vector details to remain safe during the discovery process. Yet, they have adopted automated benchtop systems in high-throughput DNA synthesis processes to drive the success rates of antibody discovery. It takes just a few days to build, clone, and amplify new drug candidates.

Immunotherapy discovery

The application of synthetic biology has also been seen in immunotherapy treatments to streamline the process, such as optimizing and screening chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and T-cell receptors (TCRs). However, the overall workflows used in CAR T-cell therapies can be slowed down by traditional DNA synthesis services as they take a long turnaround time. Implementing automated high-throughput benchtops will accelerate the discovery of TCR and CAR workflows for researchers.

Technical limitations

In terms of drug discovery and development processes during biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, researchers rely on synthetic biology these days. But, since the sequences are complex, lead times for traditional DNA synthesis become more challenging, especially in the case of high-throughput discovery research. Yet, the workflows get slowed down and delayed, which is untenable when it comes to bringing new treatments to the market quickly.

That’s why researchers turn to automated synthetic biology platforms for DNA synthesis services to ensure dozens of production overnight if required. Moreover, it ensures error-correction capabilities, making it easier for researchers to generate highly accurate DNA products

In Conclusion

Rather than in-house, outsourcing DNA synthesis service mitigates costs and cuts the chances of inconsistencies in accuracy and delays during complex workflows with the use of automation. And, if you are looking for a reliable DNA Sequencing provider, count on us. At Bio Basic, we offer efficient and fast DNA sequencing services using automated benchtops and DNA extraction kits at affordable charges to lower costs and cut turnaround times.

Request a quotation now or place an order via email at sequencing@biobasic.com today!

Importance of Oligonucleotides in DNA and RNA Expression Research

Over the last few decades, molecular biology has revolutionized a lot. And, the most common and critical component researchers have constantly used for DNA and RNA expression research is oligonucleotide. For both RNA and DNA, it's the monomeric element. According to a recent study, biomedicine and biological research wouldn't be at the stage where they are now. In fact, DNA and RNA oligonucleotide synthesis have been proven to be the key to different molecular biology processes, from DNA sequencing to PCR to plasmid construction, genomic manipulation and labeled probes.

Do you wonder why? Keep reading!

Why Is Oligonucleotide a Key Component for DNA and RNA Expression Research?

If it's your first time in DNA or RNA expression research, let's start with what oligonucleotide is.

Well, oligonucleotides are comparatively short single-stranded sequences of nucleotides. However, although the typical oligos for research should be from 5 to 50 bp, these oligonucleotides can be up to 100 bp, allowing a small percentage of DNAs to research. In fact, it's possible to study RNAs by designing oligos.

Now, let's talk about why they are important for biological research, like DNA and RNA expression.

Sequence specificity and complementarity are the prime oligo properties, allowing researchers to identify chemical recognition among nucleotide bases to align specific pairs with each other through hydrogen bonds to form double-stranded molecules. For RNA, it's adenine (A), guanine (G), uracil (U) and cytosine (C), and for DNA, the set remains the same except for thymine (T), replacing uracil (U).

Oligonucleotides used in biological research come the following:

Oligo primer use in PCR

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a process to amplify several copies of a specific DNA sequence rapidly from one sample. DNA polymerase needs forward and backward primers to amplify the target DNA to create double-stranded DNA components. Oligonucleotide primers are designed to align with targeted complementary sequences. Make sure you consider annealing and melting temperature!

DNA sequencing

The use of oligonucleotide primers is not limited to just PCR but plays a great role in DNA sequencing. It has the same requirements as the previous one, such as sequencing specificity, annealing and melting temperatures, and hybridization region. However, the set of parameters is different here due to the various conditions of the polymerase reaction.

Plasmid construction

Biological researchers these days use Oligonucleotides for constructing plasmids, naturally occurring DNA molecules in microorganisms and bacteria, used as a medium to transfer genetic information into cells. Also, there are other ways to construct and employ plasmids containing Oligonucleotides, such as recombinant DNA and RNA sequence expression and replication and gene regulatory sequence characterization. Besides this, the insertion of Oligonucleotides is used into a gene for genome manipulation.

Furthermore, Oligonucleotides have wide use in identifying RNA and DNA sequencing as probes and in other cases, for example:

• Aptamers
• Antisense Oligonucleotides
• Molecular barcodes
• Gene expression analysis

In Conclusion

So, if you are looking for DNA or RNA Oligonucleotide synthesis services for your expression research, count on us. At Bio Basic, we offer oligonucleotide synthesizing for different research applications, including modifications, from probes to modified bases to Linkers and much more.

5 Probable Things Causing Temperature Issues with Benchtop Incubator

The term ‘Benchtop Incubator’ is quite common in the research industry, especially in the case of hematology and microbiology applications. During research applications, the experts use a benchtop centrifuge to spin samples at a high speed to separate the sample components required, for example isolating red blood cells from plasma. Then, they incubate them at a certain temperature using a benchtop incubator.

However, sometimes the incubator fails to reach the temperature you have set, preventing it from heating up or cooling down. Such interruption in between the research applications can leave you frustrated, no wonder!

Don’t worry! In today’s blog, we will discuss the factors causing such temperature issues and help you troubleshoot. Let’s get started.

Possible Reasons Impacting Benchtop Incubator Temperature

It goes without saying that it feels quite frustrating when the benchtop incubator starts malfunctioning or not working properly in the middle of a research application. But, in this case, you need to blame this host of factors mentioned below:

1: Mechanical failure-

While using an incubator shaker and you find it failing to heat or cool, don’t ignore it! It can be a serious issue, for example, a broken controller or element. In both cases, you either need to get the parts replaced or buy a new machine, such as the Incu-Shaker Mini CO2 with a nonslip rubber mat.

Now, if the benchtop incubator you use comes with a refrigeration feature but not cooling at all, the chances are of compressor failure. Similarly, here, you need to replace parts or get a new one!

2: Temperature protection-

Almost every incubated shaker comes with Over-Temperature Protection(OTP) to have a backup so it can shut off the heat if the temperature fluctuates for any reason. Hence, you can ensure stability and integrity for your samples in case of extremely high temperatures. In fact, some incubators have an automatic protection feature where the unit will turn off if the temperature goes up from the setpoint by a specific temperature, like 1°C.

But, if you set this temperature protection too low or too high, the chances are that your unit won't heat up or cool down to the temperature you desire for your research application.

3: Temperature requires stabilization-

Many incubator models have built-in reference thermometers to aid in calibration. But, if you see the temperature on the thermometer, not matching the reading of the prime temperature controller, you need to think of stabilizing the temperature. It usually happens when you have just opened the door, reset the temperature, or turned it off. The unit fails to stabilize the internal temperature due to a lack of enough time in between.

4: Broken door seal-

When the incubated shaker isn’t reaching the temperature you set, the broken door seal can be a factor to blame! After all, when the seal is damaged, the air between the outside environment and the unit replaces the warm or cold air inside and lets that out. Moreover, a broken seal can be anything, like a damaged gasket, misadjusted hinges, broken latch bolts, and much more. Look out for all these problems and repair or replace parts if possible or necessary!

5: Lack of airflow-

Benchtop incubators need sufficient free airflow to work properly. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you must have a bigger room to use it but try to keep a couple of inches gap from the walls to leave some breathing room for the unit so it can perform properly.

If your incubated shakers contain refrigeration systems, there can be ice buildup if the unit doesn’t cool sufficiently. In that case, clean the ice, and open the doors fewer to prevent moisture from entering.

In Conclusion

We hope these tips will help you troubleshoot the temperature issues with your benchtop incubator. And, if you have any of these problems gone beyond repairs or replacement, count on us to get a new one. At Bio Basic, we offer quality benchtop equipment, from incubator to fume hood to refrigerated benchtop centrifuge and Eppendorf benchtop centrifuge with high-quality performance.

So, why wait? Visit our page to find the best-suited product for your research application!

CMO vs. CRO: Which One Is Best for Your Research?

Are you thinking of outsourcing services to achieve the pre-formulation needs of your research project? But not sure which one to go for- CRO or CMO?

Don’t worry! In today's blog, we will discuss the differences between CRO and CMO and which is best to meet the pre-formulation stage of your research. Let’s get started.

CRO or CMO: What Are the Differences, and What Is Best to Meet Your Pre-formulation Needs?

Pre-formulation is an intermediate stage of research to identify new substances and develop a safe product. Now, most biotechnology sectors, especially research labs, outsource laboratory services for critical and large credible research projects needing quality research.

Now, speaking of the outsourced services, there are two options- CROs e.g. Contract Research Organizations and CMOs e.g. Contract Manufacturing Organizations. The first one offers research services, including development, with clinical trials. On the contrary, the latter manufactures different research essentials, such as genes, extraction kits, PCR reagents, oligonucleotides, and many more, on a large scale by taking the pre-formulated substances probably developed by any CRO.

Let’s understand the differences in detail to identify the right service providers for your needs:

Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

As mentioned above, these kinds of companies provide clinical trials to biotechnology and medical device manufacturers. Here, the experts run a clinical trial throughout the services by adhering to the rules and leveraging the resources required for a critical research project. They ensure that the research essentials are managed well while being complied with good clinical practices and guidelines.

Here are the services a CRO usually provides:

• Take initiative and monitor clinical trials
• Revise and develop trial protocols
• Prepare and design the report forms of the case study
• Sample selection and generate reports by managing data
• Store and control documentation
• Compliance with protocols and much more

However, many often get confused between a pharmaceutical company and CRO. If it’s the case, you should know that pharmaceutical companies only specialize in specific areas, whereas CROs undertake a variety of research projects.

Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs)

CMOs have expertise in manufacturing research essentials, including genes, oligonucleotides, PCR reagents, extraction kits, and much more. Here, the professionals undertake the entire manufacturing process, from collecting raw materials to sample prototypes to production to packaging and delivery.

Well, many CMOs split their services into two parts- Primary and Secondary manufacturing processes. In the primary stage, the experts synthesize the research substance, consisting of active ingredients, whereas the second stage involves the pre-formulation of the final research essentials.

Bio Basic- CRO & CMO for Quality and Affordable Research

The best thing about outsourcing research and manufacturing services from CMOs and CROs is to manage your in-house resources and cut the costs of running clinical trials and provide infrastructure, manpower, and space for research. Yet, both CRO and CMO are important for your research needs, especially in the pre-formulation stage.

What if you can get both CRO and CMO under a single roof? With Bio Basic, it’s possible! We conduct large credible research projects even at a shoestring budget and ensure quality laboratory services. You can rest assured about quality research and shipping, even on the same day based on your location.

Click here for more details about our services!

3 Fast Facts to Explore On Antibody Manufacturing

Antibodies refer to mass proteins produced when the antibodies enter foreign bodies into a body. Naturally, while harvesting antibodies, the natural reaction of this body can be utilized in producing custom antibodies for various research purposes, like Immunohistochemistry, Western Blot, ELISA, specific diseases, or any other ambitious projects in the lab.

With the help of a life science research-support company, you can do antibody manufacturing and figure out the target proteins for a wide variety of applications since they align to an epitope.

Facts About Antibody Manufacturing You Should Know Before Production

Custom antibody production comes with more selectivity and sensitivity than regular antibodies. Moreover, they are easy to produce through the antibody synthesis process for basic applications and even in your preferred assay.

But before continuing the antibody manufacturing process, you better dive into these facts:

Choose the Right Antibody for Your Research-

Antibody production is of two different variations- Monoclonal and Polyclonal.

Monoclonal

Monoclonal antibodies come with more homogeneity, comprising stability from batch to batch. These antibodies are secreted from a single B-lymphocyte clone.

In this Monoclonal antibody manufacturing process, only one episode of one antigen is identified, so requiring less protein purification. But you can get here higher sensitivity and specificity than other antibodies. That’s why most research labs and studies choose Monoclonal antibody production for the manufacturing process.

Polyclonal

The mixture of different B-lymphocyte clones creates Polyclonal antibodies. These antibodies identify high homology proteins and multiple epitopes with a broader specificity. Polyclonal antibodies allow you a lot of options for experimental designs.

However, Polyclonal antibody production has less sensitivity to minor antigen changes but comes with a less complex manufacturing process, so it is easy to produce. The procedure involves four simple steps-

• Antigen preparation
• Immunization
• Protein expression
• Purification

So, you need to understand the differences between these two antibodies and determine which one meets your research needs. Also, consider the timescale and the available cell lines before making any decision.

Understand the antibody manufacturing process for quality production-

For any clinical analysis and research, custom antibodies play a great role. Their high sensitivity and specificity make them perfect for targeting unique proteins, leading to therapeutic and diagnostic use. That’s why it’s necessary to understand the specificity and sensitivity before choosing an antibody to determine the antigen target. Also, consider the following factors for quality antibody production:

• Talk to the scientist team of the antibody manufacturing companies you choose
• Do your research
• Avoid choosing poor-quality antibodies
• Look for functionality, specificity, and sensitivity during antibody selection for custom protein synthesis
• Understand your required functional activity, protein type, and desired yield

Determine antibody production types-

While using custom antibody production for disease prevention, like specific cancers or inflammation, choosing the right manufacturing method is necessary. There are two options- natural antibody production and adaptive antibody production. Evaluate the differences and figure out the ideal choice for your research.

For example, natural antibodies are more specific and germ-free to particular antibodies than adaptive antibodies. Contrarily, adaptive antibodies offer better long-term protection than natural antibodies.

Bottom Line

If you desire antibodies for your research or your lab, count on us, Bio Basic. We charge an affordable antibody manufacturing cost. Our quality scientists are here to assist you to choose the best package for antibody manufacturing according to your project goal.

Oligo Synthesis and Modifications 101: All the Basics You Should Know

Regarding research applications, synthesizing oligo or oligonucleotides has opened a new door. And while speaking of it, the first question will pop up in your mind, “What Are Oligonucleotides? What Is Meant by Oligo Synthesis?”- Isn’t it? Then, let us start by introducing this term to you. See here.

What Are Oligonucleotides and Oligo Synthesis?

Oligonucleotides or oligos are short single-standard nucleotide sequences containing up to 20 nucleotides in length. It’s a monomeric subunit of DNA and RNA. With the advancement of technology, it’s possible to create custom oligos using solid-phase chemical synthesis. Its sequential addition consists of nucleic acids, like (Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) for DNA and Uracil (U) for RNA, while transforming into a growing nucleotide chain. After the completion of the oligo synthesis process, it is desalted or purified to eliminate non-full-length substances.

The importance of oligos lies in various molecular processes, including DNA sequencing, PCR, plasmid construction, genomic manipulations, and labelled probes. In fact, its uses don’t limit to only these but expand to therapeutics and disease diagnosis, including advanced biomedicine and biological research.

Uses of Oligonucleotides in Research

Generally, oligos are used mostly in the research process of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) because this process requires a single strand of DNA to generate thousands of DNA copies used in downstream applications, like sequencing and cloning. In the PCR technique, oligos are called primers, usually 20 to 35 nucleotides long.

Besides, other biological research and applications, such as qPCR (quantitative PCR), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays, and over-expression and gene editing, require user-specific custom DNA or RNA oligonucleotide synthesis sequencing.

Oligonucleotide primers

The use of a primer-based oligonucleotide process can be anytime when the involvement of nucleic acids is present. For example:

The use of oligonucleotide primers is best for DNA sequencing, and this primer sequencing is quite similar to PCR techniques, but the slight differences lie in various polymerase reactions. Also, small DNA molecules like plasmids are also constructed by inserting oligonucleotide primers i.e. genetic information transformation between cells.

Oligonucleotide probes

During DNA or RNA sequence detection, oligonucleotide probes play a great role since they are designed as complementary to the sequencing and labelled with fluorophores, detectable molecules. Also, its uses are common in tissue microarrays, gene libraries, and gene expression analysis.

Oligonucleotide Novel uses

Novel research and applications involve developed oligonucleotides, including antisense and aptamers oligos. Aptamers oligonucleotides can bind one or more targets in the same processes as antibodies, such as in drugs or detecting disease molecular markers. On the contrary, mRNA expression is targeted by antisense oligonucleotides during disease research procedures using different mechanisms.

Oligo modifications

Just like DNA or RNA oligo synthesis, oligonucleotide modifications have great importance in biological applications and research. Modified oligos are used in clinical-based research, like molecular therapeutics and diagnostics. Oligo modifications enhance the possibilities of biological reactions when it’s necessary.

For instance, there are different ranges of modifications available, including Spacers, Fluorophores, Linkers, Quenchers, Probes, Modified Bases, Phosphorylation, and so on. Some modifications improve the accuracy of oligos to target different sequences, while some create coupling with another molecule after the synthesis process is over. Generally, modifications are added during the oligonucleotide synthesis technique.

Bottom Line

Well, we hope you have got a brief idea about the oligo synthesis process and modifications. And if you are looking for one of the leading oligo synthesis companies, count on us, Bio Basic. We specialize in oligonucleotide synthesizing processes for different research applications, offering large-volume custom production using automation techniques for consistent production.

Also, our purification methods include High-Affinity Purification (novel purification process for custom oligos) PAGE, HPLC and HPLC-CE Purification, and Desalted Purification. We have expertise in diverse oligo modifications, from Linkers to Fluorophores to Probes, Quenchers, Spacers, and many more. We offer the highest standard oligo synthesis, including highly modified and purified oligonucleotides, due to manufacturing most tools and reagents in-house.

Click here to download our order form to place your order, or request a quotation and send the email to our oligo synthesis department at synthesis@biobasic.com. Or else, you can directly email us your sequences, including the modifications and purification type required.

DNA Sequencing: Which Is the Right Technology to Choose?

With the advancement of technology, clinical disease research, drug development, and genome research have faced a huge transformation and shift toward the DNA sequencing procedure in their research process. Nowadays, two different types of DNA sequencing technologies are used in research fields- Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Sanger sequencing

Sanger sequencing follows a chain-termination method to utilize chemically developed and radiolabeled analogs of those four nucleotides- A, C, G, and T. This sequencing technology involves capillary electrophoresis of fluorescent-labeled DNA fragments for sequencing read generation. The read lengths are usually achieved from 500 bp to 600 bp but up to 800 bp. The longer the read lengths are, the better advantages the research can gain, especially in the case of genome repetitive region sequencing.

Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS)

On the contrary, Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) is based on a massively parallel sequencing method. This fairly new sequencing technology has brought a revolution in molecular biology by generating millions of shorter reads synchronously. Hence, when choosing NGS for DNA sequencing services, you can expect the whole genome to be sequenced within a fraction of time but through different steps, from template to library preparation to fragment amplification to sequencing. But there are no requirements for electrophoresis steps like Sanger sequencing.

Which one is best- Sanger sequencing or Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS)

In short, both these DNA sequencing technologies are great choices in genetic analysis and research fields due to their quick turnaround time.

But which one will be the right choice for your needs depends on different factors, and we are going to discuss that in today’s blog.

Generally, both options are great for DNA sequencing. But you should go for the one suited to your research goals, qualifications, accuracy requirements, the required read length, accuracy, and the available sample types.

For instance, in Sanger sequencing technology, accuracy is critical for its base-calling applications. That’s why DNA sequencing experts usually use this technology to confirm the DNA variants as an orthogonal process. In fact, this DNA sequencing technology is used in human genetic disease research for phenotypic heterogeneity level observation to generate reads up to 800 bp. Here, the experts can confirm NGS variants or analyze one or two genes with a defined phenotype.

But the sequencing specialists choose Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) during disease research to identify its Nobel variants with a huge number of genes and a higher phenotypic heterogeneity level. At one time, it can examine hundreds or thousands of genes in different samples while analyzing and discovering their genomic features during a single sequencing, from structural variants to single nucleotide variants to RNA fusions.

Besides, you need to keep in mind the following points as well while outsourcing DNA sequencing services to determine the best sequencing technology suited to your needs. Such as:

Turnaround time:

Sanger sequencing takes around 30 minutes for a quick turnaround with a single sequencing run time. But for NGS, the fast analysis and sequencing throughput requires at least 3 hours, although the process is flexible.

Key attributes:

The read length is up to 800 bp in Sanger sequencing, but NGS provides short reads. And using Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS), the overall costs for DNA sequencing services will go down as your targets keep growing.

Research applications:

Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) can be used in whole genome sequencing, DNA and RNA sequencing, Exon sequencing, Systems Biology, Transcriptome, single-nucleotide variants, and more. In contrast, the experts use Sanger sequencing in different research fields, like microbial identification, validation of NGS-detected variants, SNP genotyping, and so on.

Sample costs:

Sanger sequencing technology analyzes one or two genes or around 96 targets. But Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) researches 96 targets in just a single run. Yet, the former is perfect for you if you have a small-scale project. Otherwise, the latter will be cost-effective for large-scale projects.

Bottom Line

We hope you can determine which DNA sequencing technology will be right for your research using the attributes. But whether you need Sanger or NGS, count on us. At Bio Basic, we provide affordable and quick DNA sequencing services. Our experts ensure successful project completion.