Homopolymers (Repeats) — ERRROR, EROR, ERROR?

The current DNA sequencing technologies use different mechanisms to read bases. Sequencing platforms which use pyrosequencing, read off each base (A,T,G,C) from input sample DNA, what they essentially do is reconstruct the DNA by referring to the sample. Since the bases used for reconstruction are attached with a fluorophore, on the addition of each subsequent base the intensity of emitted fluorescence is recorded. The cumulative intensity increases linearly with the number of bases added. However, when a series of identical bases are added, the linearity is lost. This means that the sequencer is unable to distinguish between 5 As from 7As or 4 Cs from 6Cs — confidently. You may want to read the title of the blog post once again now! :) <a href="https://medium.com/@sanatmishra1/homopolymers-repeats-errror-eror-error-137d69031f30">Learn More</a>