Beginner’s guide to next-generation sequencing

Since the publication of the first draft of the human genome 20 years ago, several novel sequencing technologies have emerged. Whilst some drive the cost of DNA sequencing down, others address the difficult parts of the genome which remained inaccessible so far. But the next-generation sequencing (NGS) landscape is a fast-changing environment and one can easily get lost between second- and third- generation sequencers, or the pros and cons of short- versus long-read technologies. In this beginner’s guide to NGS, we will review the main NGS technologies available in 2021. We will compare sample preparation protocols and sequencing methods, highlighting the requirements and advantages of each technology.