What are the advantages of next-generation sequencing in cancer?
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers several advantages:
- High Throughput: Can sequence thousands to millions of DNA molecules simultaneously, providing a comprehensive dataset. - Cost-Effective: The cost per base sequenced has dramatically decreased, making large-scale studies more feasible. - Speed: NGS platforms can generate massive amounts of data in a relatively short time. - Sensitivity: Capable of detecting low-frequency mutations that might be missed by other methods. - Versatility: Can be applied to various types of genetic material, including DNA, RNA, and epigenetic markers.
