About sequencing

In genomics, sequencing is to determine the arrangement of DNA. Sequencing methods are outlined with three basic steps as shown below.

 

1. Library preparation

2. Template preparation

3. Sequencing and imaging

 

Contents

Library preparation

 

A genomic library is a collection of the total genomic DNA from a single organism. The DNA is stored in a population of identical vectors, each containing a different insert of DNA. In order to construct a genomic library, the organism's DNA is extracted from cells and then digested with a restriction enzyme to cut the DNA into fragments of a specific size. (above definition is by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genomic_library)

Fragments made by restriction enzyme undergo additional process, such as ligation of adaptor and primer, which let them be able to function in next phase.

 

 

 

 

As shown as 'Good fragment', fragments are expected to have adaptor(blue colored zone in the above picture) allowing fragments to attached to emPCR bead and solid phase which function for the template preparation .

 

Template preparation

Template preparation is to generate and amplify the template DNA, that is the main target of sequencing. there are several different ways in preparing the template DNA as much as diverse secuencing methods exist.

 

 

 

 

emPCR

 

 

                                                                    <Summary of the Em PCR>

 

 

There are primer, template DNA, dNTPs, DNA polymerase mixed with emulsion oil and water. 

 

After shaking to make emulsion, the PCR mix enters Into the emulsion(the oil dorp) and denaturation begins to seperate double strands.

 

 

Let's call the fragment attached to the bead with adaptod(colored blue) 'reverse strand' for conveneince.

When the reverse strand annealed to the bead, polymerase amplifies the forward strand from the bead so that it produce one 'forward strand'.

 

 

 

Then the 'reverse strand', which was annealed to the bead, denatured and annealed again to the other spot.

And the primer also anneals to the forward strand, which was produced before.

Repeat these processes so far, for 30-60 cycles and generate and amplify the template DNA.

 

 

 

Quetions

Why is the oil required?

Why is the sphere-shape bead required?

 

 

Solid-phase

<summary of the solid-phase amplification>

Firstly attach the primers(adaptor) on the slide and input the prepared sample that has adaptor to attach on the slide as well. 

When the sample attach to one primer on the slide, it bent over and allow the another end of sample fragment to attach to other primer on the slide. Then polymerizing starts.

This cycle is repeated and make clusters.  

 

I'd like you to refer this video about Illumina sequencing, which includes solid phase amplification phase.

Illumina sequencing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=womKfikWlxM