Third-generation sequencing

Third-generation sequencing (also known as long-read sequencing) is a class of DNA sequencing methods that have the capability to produce substantially longer reads (ranging from 10 kb to >1 Mb in length) than second generation sequencing, also known as next-generation sequencing methods. These methods emerged in 2008, characterized by technologies such as nanopore sequencing or single-molecule real-time sequencing, and continue to be developed. The ability to sequence longer reads has critical implications for both genome science and the study of biology in general. In structural variant calling, third generation sequencing has been found to outperform existing methods, even at a low depth of sequencing coverage. However, third generation sequencing data have much higher error rates than previous technologies, which can complicate downstream genome assembly and analysis of the resulting data. These technologies are undergoing active development and it is expected that there will be improvements to the high error rates.