Chapters authored
RNA‐seq: Applications and Best Practices
RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) is the state‐of‐the‐art technique for transcriptome analysis that takes advantage of high‐throughput next‐generation sequencing. Although being a powerful approach, RNA‐seq imposes major challenges throughout its steps with numerous caveats. There are currently many experimental options available, and a complete comprehension of each step is critical to make right decisions and avoid getting into inconclusive results. A complete workflow consists of: (1) experimental design; (2) sample and library preparation; (3) sequencing; and (4) data analysis. RNA‐seq enables a wide range of applications such as the discovery of novel genes, gene/transcript quantification, and differential expression and functional analysis. This chapter will encompass the main aspects from sample preparation to downstream data analysis. It will be discussed how to obtain high‐quality samples, replicates amount, library preparation, sequencing platforms and coverage, focusing on best recommended practices based on specialized literature. Basic techniques and well‐known algorithms are presented and discussed, guiding both beginners and experienced users in the implementation of reliable experiments.
Part of the book: Applications of RNA-Seq and Omics Strategies
Application of Next-Generation Sequencing in the Era of Precision Medicine
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies represented the next step in the evolution of DNA sequencing, through the generation of thousands to millions of DNA sequences in a short time. The relatively fast emergence and success of NGS in research revolutionized the field of genomics and medical diagnosis. The traditional medicine model of diagnosis has changed to one precision medicine model, leading to a more accurate diagnosis of human diseases and allowing the selection of molecular target drugs for individual treatment. This chapter attempts to review the main features of NGS technique (concepts, data analysis, applications, advances and challenges), starting with a brief history of DNA sequencing followed by a comprehensive description of most used NGS platforms. Further topics will highlight the application of NGS towards routine practice, including variant detection, whole-exome sequencing (WES), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), custom panels (multi-gene), RNA-seq and epigenetic. The potential use of NGS in precision medicine is vast and a better knowledge of this technique is necessary for an efficacious implementation in the clinical workplace. A centralized chapter describing the main NGS aspects in the clinic could help beginners, scientists, researchers and health care professionals, as they will be responsible for translating genomic data into genomic medicine.
Part of the book: Applications of RNA-Seq and Omics Strategies