Basis of differentiation | DNA microarray | RNA sequencing |
Definition | Is a hybridization-based technique used to detect the presence of specific RNA sequences within a sample | Is a sequencing based technique which detects the RNA sequences in a sample |
Role in identifying genes and RNA sequences | Can identify only known RNA sequences, gene variants, and is unable to determine low expressive genes and splice variants | Can identify new RNA sequences present in a sample, and is able to identify low expressive genes, non-expressive genes, and splice variants |
Sensitivity | Has a lower sensitivity than RNA sequencing | Has a comparatively higher sensitivity than DNA microarray |
Accuracy | Is a comparatively lower accuracy technique | Is a comparatively highly accurate technique |
SNP detection | Cannot detect SNPs | Is able to detect SNPs (except de novo SNPs for low abundance) |
Prior sequencing information | Prior sequencing information is required | Prior sequencing information is not required |
Starting material | Requires a higher amount of starting material | Requires a lower amount of starting material |
Cost | Is comparatively less expensive | Is comparatively more expensive |