What are the differences between DNA microarray and RNA sequencing?

Question

Accepted Answer

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

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