This tutorial describes the principles of DNA sequencing and sequence assembly, and shows how they apply to different sequencing techniques.

The speed of DNA sequencing has greatly increased, and the cost has substantially decreased, over the years. This Click & Learn reviews three milestone methods that advanced the development of DNA sequencing technology: Sanger sequencing, shotgun sequencing, and ultra-deep sequencing. Although not all of these methods are widely used today, the basic concepts of how DNA sequences are assembled still apply.

The accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration.