Saturday Engineering for Everyone 3/28/2026: DNA Sequencing

Summary: 

DNA sequencing is the technology that allows scientists to “read” the genetic sequence of humans, animals, plants, and microbes. But reading DNA is not like reading a book. First, the DNA is broken into millions (or billions) of tiny pieces, which are individually read. We must then use computers to solve a giant jigsaw puzzle (without the picture on the box) and put together the complete DNA sequence.

This talk will introduce the basics of DNA sequencing and explain how computer algorithms help scientists put these pieces together. We will also discuss how DNA sequence information is used to study important questions in biology and medicine, such as how people are related to one another, how genes can influence observable traits, and what microbes live inside our bodies.