What are the differences between exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing?

Question

Accepted Answer

Exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) are two next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques that are widely used in healthcare to study genetic anomalies. There are several differences between these two processes.

Basis of differentiation
Exome sequencing (WES)
Whole genome sequencing (WGS)

Definition 
Is the process of sequencing coding DNA (exomes) of an organism 
Is the process of sequencing the whole genome of an organism including all coding and noncoding regions

Percentage of genome sequenced
Sequences coding genomes which maek up only 1-2% of hte whole genome
Sequences all coding, noncoding, and mitochondrial genomes, which make up 98 – 99% of the whole genome

Area of study
Used to determine genetic variations in coding regions
Used to study genetic rearrangements and anomalies in coding and noncoding regeions

Size of sequence database generated
Sequence database generated is comparatively smaller than WGS
Sequence database generated is very large and sometimes incomprehensible

Time taken
Is less time-comsuming than WGS
Is a time-consuming process

Cost
Cheaper
More expensive

Advantages

Generates smaller, more manageable data sets that make data analysis faster and  cheaper;
Provides comprehensive coverage of coding sequences;
Identifies variants across a wide range of applications:
Is a faster and more cost-effective alternative to WGS

Delivers large volumes of data in a short amount of time to support asembly of novel genomes;
Provides a high-level comprehensive view of the entire genome;
Captures both large and small variants that are often missed with targeted approaches such as WES;
Can be used to sequence coding as well as noncoding regions, which are sometimes responsible for genetic disorders

Disadvantages
Unable to identify anomalies in noncoding sequences

Is an expensive and time-consuming process; 
create very large data sets that are sometimes incomprehensible

Basis of differentiation	Exome sequencing (WES)	Whole genome sequencing (WGS)
Definition	Is the process of sequencing coding DNA (exomes) of an organism	Is the process of sequencing the whole genome of an organism including all coding and noncoding regions
Percentage of genome sequenced	Sequences coding genomes which maek up only 1-2% of hte whole genome	Sequences all coding, noncoding, and mitochondrial genomes, which make up 98 – 99% of the whole genome
Area of study	Used to determine genetic variations in coding regions	Used to study genetic rearrangements and anomalies in coding and noncoding regeions
Size of sequence database generated	Sequence database generated is comparatively smaller than WGS	Sequence database generated is very large and sometimes incomprehensible
Time taken	Is less time-comsuming than WGS	Is a time-consuming process
Cost	Cheaper	More expensive
Advantages	Generates smaller, more manageable data sets that make data analysis faster and cheaper; Provides comprehensive coverage of coding sequences; Identifies variants across a wide range of applications: Is a faster and more cost-effective alternative to WGS	Delivers large volumes of data in a short amount of time to support asembly of novel genomes; Provides a high-level comprehensive view of the entire genome; Captures both large and small variants that are often missed with targeted approaches such as WES; Can be used to sequence coding as well as noncoding regions, which are sometimes responsible for genetic disorders
Disadvantages	Unable to identify anomalies in noncoding sequences	Is an expensive and time-consuming process; create very large data sets that are sometimes incomprehensible

What are the differences between exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing?

Posted December 5, 2022