Basis of differentiation | Whole exome sequencing | RN sequencing |
Definition | Is a type of sequencing that sequences the DNA coding regions (exons) of the genome | Is a type of sequencing that sequences RNA after conversion to cDNA, focusing on gene expression |
Genomic coverage | Focuses on the exons, which represent about 1-2% of the genome | Covers the transcriptome, including exons, introns, and regions related to gene expression |
Data output | Provides data on DNA mutations and variations | Provides data on gene expression levels and can detect irregular gene expression patterns |
Primary use | To identify mutations in coding DNA that may lead to genetic disorders or cancer | To study gene expression levels, revealing which genes are active in a tissue or cell type |
Expression levels | Does not measure gene expression levels | Measures gene expression profiles, reflecting gene activity and providing insight into gene regulation |
Genomic reference | Requires a known reference genome to target specific exonic regions | Less dependent on a reference genome – can be used with uncharacterized genomes |
Tissue-specific information | Does not provide tissue specific gene expression data | Provides tissue-specific or cell-specific gene expression data, aiding in understanding disease mechanisms |
Variation detection | Primarily used for detective genetic variants with a focus on exons | Can detect variants but with lower confidence due to uneven transcript coverage |
Cost and efficiency | More cost-effective and less time-consuming | Less cost-effective and more time-consuming as it requires more depth and coverage |
Applications | Best suited for detecting disease-causing DNA mutations in exons | Useful for studying gene expression profiles and discovering novel biomarkers |