This molecular biology tool enables researchers to prepare DNA samples for sequencing by attaching unique identifying sequences to individual DNA fragments. These unique sequences, or barcodes, allow for the pooling and subsequent identification of numerous samples within a single sequencing run. For instance, it allows researchers to analyze the genetic material of multiple organisms simultaneously, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
The application of this approach offers significant advantages in fields such as genomics, metagenomics, and transcriptomics. It allows for higher throughput sequencing, enabling the analysis of complex biological systems and large sample cohorts. Historically, barcoding strategies have evolved to meet the increasing demands of large-scale sequencing projects, providing a cost-effective and scalable method for sample multiplexing.
