This animation illustrates shotgun sequencing, a method that was used to sequence the human genome.

Shotgun sequencing is a technique for sequencing large DNA sequences, such as entire genomes. As shown in the animation, many copies of the genome are first broken into millions of small fragments. After each fragment is sequenced, powerful computers use overlapping sections to assemble the fragments into their original order.

Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different parts of the method.