What are the advantages of SMRT sequencing?

There are several advantages of SMRT sequencing. One main advantage is the extended read lengths, particularly in the context of de novo assemblies for novel genomes. For example, contrast to the typical 200-300 bp read on the Illumina platform, PACBIO can achieve an average length of 20kb, depending on nucleotide chemistry and machine specifications. Another advantage is SMRT’s ability to distinguish specific DNA modifications from the kinetic variations generated from the light-pulse. SMRT sequencing data readily identifies methylase transferases due to the altered kinetics of DNA polymerase as it travels along the template molecule, indicating the presence of epigenetic modifications. Lastly, research has revealed that SMRT sequencing demonstrates comparable performance to other sequencing technologies. When used in conjunction with other technologies, the precision of organizing a complete genome through SMRT sequencing has been demonstrated to be just as accurate as more conventional techniques.