A) DNA polymerase binds to a single-stranded DNA template (blue) and synthesizes a complementary strand of DNA (red). B) When DNA polymerase randomly incorporates a fluorescently labeled ddNTP ...

NGS relies on sequencing by synthesis: the sequence of a template DNA strand is determined by synthesizing a complementary strand from fluorescently labeled bases.

By creating a more true-to-life representation of DNA's environment, researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that strand separation - the essential process a "resting" double helix ...