shotgun sequencing

genetics

Also known as: genome shotgun sequencing

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Shotgun sequencing is a method used in DNA sequencing to determine the nucleotide sequence of an organism's genome. This process involves randomly fragmenting the entire DNA into smaller pieces, which are then sequenced individually. Sophisticated computer programs are used to assemble these short sequences, overlapping them to reconstruct the original, complete DNA sequence. This technique, particularly whole genome shotgun sequencing, was crucial for projects like the Human Genome Project, enabling the mapping of large genomes more rapidly than earlier methods. Next-generation sequencing technologies have further advanced this process, allowing for massively parallel sequencing of millions of DNA fragments simultaneously, making it faster and more cost-effective.12

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J. Craig Venter
TIGR and Celera Genomics
…relied on whole genome “shotgun” sequencing, a rapid sequencing technique that Venter had developed while at TIGR. The shotgun technique is used to decode small sections of DNA (about 2,000–10,000 base pairs [bp] in length) of an organism’s genome. These sections are later assembled into a full-length genomic sequence.…
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…relied on whole genome “shotgun” sequencing, a rapid sequencing technique that Venter had developed while at TIGR. The shotgun technique is used to decode small sections of DNA (about 2,000–10,000 base pairs [bp] in length) of an organism’s genome. These sections are later assembled into a full-length genomic sequence.…
Read More