| definition |
- [Adapted from "AUTOMATED DNA SEQUENCING",
"http://www.p2000.umich.edu/chemical_waste/cw12.htm#Overview", by University of
Michigan Occupational Safety and Environmental Health]
In general, DNA sequencing involves determining the positions of labeled
nucleotides that have been incorporated into a replicated piece of DNA.
Traditionally, the nucleotides were labeled with radioactive isotopes and the
sequnce read using autoradiography. The use of an automated DNA sequencer,
however, negates the need for radioactive isotopes, and instead, uses a
fluorescent dye to label the nucleotides. A laser stimulates the fluorescent
dye, and then, the fluorescent emissions are collected on a charge coupled
device that determines the wavelengths of those emissions. Each labeled
nucleotide is distinguished by a different wavelenth.
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