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DNA Sequencing by the Chemical Method

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PCR Sequencing Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 65))

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Abstract

The chemical method of sequencing DNA (1) has some advantages and some disadvantages compared with the enzymatic method (2). The major disadvantage is that it takes more time to produce the same amount of sequence. This is so for two main reasons. First, the DNA has to be end-labeled and then reisolated prior to the actual chemical sequencing reactions, a process that usually requires an additional day. Also, because more DNA is used in the reaction and because the lower specific activity of the sequenced DNA requires the use of an intensifying screen in the autoradiography, bands are not as sharp as in the enzymatic method and therefore it is difficult to obtain reliable sequence past about nucleotide 250 (unless very long gels are run).

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References

  1. Maxam, A. M. and Gilbert, W. (1980) Sequencing end-labeled DNA with base-specific chemical cleavages. Methods Enzymol. 65, 499–560.

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  2. Sanger, F., Nicklen, S., and Coulson, A. R. (1977) DNA sequencing with chain-terminating inhibitors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 74, 5463–5467.

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  3. Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F., and Sambrook, J. (1982) Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY.

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© 1996 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Pichersky, E. (1996). DNA Sequencing by the Chemical Method. In: Rapley, R. (eds) PCR Sequencing Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 65. Springer, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-344-9:133

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-344-9:133

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-344-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-551-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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