Which statement best describes a key advantage of next-generation sequencing over Sanger sequencing?

Which statement best describes a key advantage of next-generation sequencing over Sanger sequencing?

• A. Longer read lengths than Sanger
• B. Higher per-base cost
• C. Slower and less scalable
• D. Massively parallel, high throughput, cheaper per base

Answer: (D)

Next-generation sequencing offers the power of sequencing many DNA fragments simultaneously. This massively parallel approach means you can generate huge amounts of data in a short time, and the costs scale down per base because you’re running thousands or millions of reactions together rather than one at a time. That combination—high throughput, parallel processing, and a cheaper cost per base—drives the major advantage over Sanger sequencing, which builds sequences one fragment at a time and is slower and more labor-intensive per base. While read length can vary and some newer platforms can produce longer reads, the standout benefit is the ability to sequence vast amounts of DNA quickly and cheaply due to parallelization. That’s why the statement describing massively parallel, high throughput, and cheaper per base best captures the key advantage.

Next-generation sequencing offers the power of sequencing many DNA fragments simultaneously. This massively parallel approach means you can generate huge amounts of data in a short time, and the costs scale down per base because you’re running thousands or millions of reactions together rather than one at a time. That combination—high throughput, parallel processing, and a cheaper cost per base—drives the major advantage over Sanger sequencing, which builds sequences one fragment at a time and is slower and more labor-intensive per base.

While read length can vary and some newer platforms can produce longer reads, the standout benefit is the ability to sequence vast amounts of DNA quickly and cheaply due to parallelization. That’s why the statement describing massively parallel, high throughput, and cheaper per base best captures the key advantage.