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What are the differences between next-generation sequencing (NGS) and qPCR?
Posted February 18, 2022
Answer
| Basis of Differences | Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) | qPCR |
| Discovery power or ability to identify novel variants | Offers considerably higher discovery power enabling detection of novel variations. Also offers higher sensitivity enabling quantification of rare variants and transcripts | Very poor discovery power. Is capable of detecting only known sequences. |
| Scalability and throughput | Offers higher sample throughput – a single NGS experiment is capable of identifying variants across numerous target regions with single base resolution | Offers lower scalability - is more effective for lower target numbers. Even then, the workflow can be unwieldy for multiple targets. Enables interrogation of a limited set of variants. |
| Cost effectiveness | Less cost-effective for sequencing lower numbers of targets (1–20 targets). | More cost effective when the number of target regions is less than 20 targets and when the study aims to screen or identify known variants. |
Whether NGS or qPCR is better for you will depend on a variety of factors including the number of samples, study goals, total amount of sequence in the target regions, and budgetary considerations.
Additional resources
High Throughput Sequencing: An Overview of Sequencing Chemistry