The next-generation sequencing technology and application

As one of the key technologies in biomedical research, DNA sequencing has not only improved its productivity with an exponential growth rate but also been applied to new areas of application over the past few years. This is largely due to the advent of newer generations of sequencing platforms, offering ever-faster and cheaper ways to analyze sequences. In our previous review, we looked into technical characteristics of the nextgeneration sequencers and provided prospective insights into their future development. In this article, we present a brief overview of the advantages and shortcomings of key commercially available platforms with a focus on their suitability for a broad range of applications.