What are the differences between microarray and next generation sequencing?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Microarray

NGS

Definition

Microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface, which is used to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously

NGS is a non-Sanger-based high throughput DNA sequencing technique which generates millions or billions of DNA strands to be sequenced in parallel

Interactions with antigen

Micorarray is based on hybridization that is composed of a set of known targets

NGS is based on synthesis which uses DNA polymerase to integrate nucleotides and does not rely on information from previously known targets

Applications

Microarrays are primarily used for detecting chromosomal copy variants (deletions and duplications), and gene expression profiling

NGS has a wider range of applications such as whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing

Level of Resolution

Microarrays display moderate resolution, allowing the detection of large genomic alterations

NGS displays a much higher resolution, and is capable of detecting small-scale variations such as single-nucleotide variants and small insertions

Cost

Microarray technology is typically less expensive than NGS

NGS is more expensive due to the high cost of sequencing instruments and reagents

Basis of differentiation	Microarray	NGS
Definition	Microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface, which is used to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously	NGS is a non-Sanger-based high throughput DNA sequencing technique which generates millions or billions of DNA strands to be sequenced in parallel
Interactions with antigen	Micorarray is based on hybridization that is composed of a set of known targets	NGS is based on synthesis which uses DNA polymerase to integrate nucleotides and does not rely on information from previously known targets
Applications	Microarrays are primarily used for detecting chromosomal copy variants (deletions and duplications), and gene expression profiling	NGS has a wider range of applications such as whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing
Level of Resolution	Microarrays display moderate resolution, allowing the detection of large genomic alterations	NGS displays a much higher resolution, and is capable of detecting small-scale variations such as single-nucleotide variants and small insertions
Cost	Microarray technology is typically less expensive than NGS	NGS is more expensive due to the high cost of sequencing instruments and reagents

Basis of differentiation

Microarray

NGS

Related questions