The genotype (structural genomics) of non-cellular entities, single cells and multicellular organisms determines their phenotype, which in turn can be potentially beneficial or dangerous from an anthropomorphic and biotechnological point of view. The sequencing of nucleic acids was accomplished after many trials, using different methods that were initially quite laborious, involving time-consuming steps and the use of toxic substances, including radioisotopes. They were later on improved, using non-toxic chemicals, automation, miniaturization and high throughput equipment. The methodological milestones during the development of the nucleic-acid sequencing platforms are exciting; the most interesting part of them being the significant implications of such breakthroughs for biotechnology and thus human development and welfare, besides the advancement of science, protection of the biodiversity and environment, fight against the climate change and global warming, etc. The different nucleic-acid sequencing technologies were sometimes referred as ‘next-generation’ and even ‘next-next-generation.’ To avoid such semantic ambiguity and confusion, the nucleic-acid sequencing methodologies are divided into three categories in this review (namely, first-, second- and third- generation sequencing). In summary, all these scientific and technological developments involving nucleic-acid sequencing will allow the genome and transcriptome to become the ultimate molecular marker in biotechnology in general and biomedical sciences in particular.

Peer reviewed