In 1997, Sanger, Nicklen and Coulson described a method for determining DNA nucleotide sequences. Nearly five decades later, Sanger sequencing remains an entrenched technology for targeted sequencing and fragment analysis. Accuracy and unambiguous results are Sanger sequencing’s strong points.

Without reliance on algorithms, alignment and intensive data analysis, the peak is the peak and easily compared to a reference. When focusing on a specific gene, mutation or sequence the high specificity and sensitivity of Sanger sequencing reigns supreme. Sanger sequencing is widely used in infectious and rare disease research, vaccine development and mRNA QC, as well as in genome editing and plasmid confirmation.

Unfortunately, many supporting software platforms have not kept pace with the growing needs of the biopharma, service provider and diagnostic markets, which require process automation and secure data management in a user-friendly format. The new InnoviGeneTM Suite from Thermo Fisher Scientific is an all-in-one, browser-based platform that offers a suite of Sanger sequencing applications to enable regulatory compliance while increasing quality and productivity in a streamlined automated workflow. “The user-friendly approach sets the InnoviGene Suite apart from many other bioinformatics suites that have more complicated menus and data management.

The platform feels designed for a new user to come up to speed in 10 minutes,” remarked Wesley Morovic, PhD, Senior Research Sc.