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Why is next-generation sequencing faster and less expensive than earlier sequencing methods?

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Diagram of a DNA double helix showing its twisted ladder structure, with a close-up of the sugar-phosphate backbone, paired nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine), and labeled nucleotides and hydrogen bonds. — human genome The human genome is made up of approximately three billion base pairs of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The bases of DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).

Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as second-generation or massively parallel sequencing, is faster and more cost-effective than first-generation methods primarily due to its ability to process millions of DNA fragments simultaneously.12

While earlier techniques, such as the Sanger method, relied on sequential or lower-throughput processes, NGS technologies generate a vast number of short sequences in a single, parallel operation. This high-throughput capacity allows for the redundant representation of every base in a target genome much more efficiently than previous approaches.12

Furthermore, the utility of these technologies has been significantly enhanced by advancements in bioinformatics. Improved data storage and sophisticated computational tools facilitate the rapid analysis and manipulation of the massive datasets produced by NGS, which often reach the gigabase range. By enabling the simultaneous sequencing of millions of fragments and streamlining data assembly, NGS has effectively reduced the time and expense required for whole genome sequencing, making it a routine tool in modern biological research.21