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CNTR Fact Sheet on DNA Sequencing, Synthesis, and Screening

The picture shows the process of DNA synthesis. In the middle is a gray, open box, which is the DNA synthesizer. On the left is a gray tablet connected by a cable into which the sequence inputs can be inserted. The top left corner shows the four different bases: A, T, C, and G. On the right side there is a strand of a combination of the four bases coming out of the DNA synthesizer. The text says “Synthesis of single-stranded DNA oligo output”. An arrow points to a double-stranded DNA string with complementary bases. The text next to it says “Longer and double-stranded DNA fragments are generated in later steps.”
Fourth open-access publication in the Fact Sheet series is online

The fourth CNTR Fact Sheet by Dr. Kadri Reis (CNTR/PRIF) provides an overview of the characteristics of DNA sequencing, synthesis and screening in biosecurity. It compares different sequencing methods and gives a basic overview of DNA synthesis. In addition, it highlights the technologies' potentials and risks and outlines various application possibilities.

The Fact Sheet on biosecurity is part of CNTR's Fact Sheet series. The Fact Sheets are published on a regular basis to make the project's research findings available to a wider audience and to counteract disinformation. These short-format publications provide facts and figures as well as short explanations on CNTR’s research topics. CNTR Fact Sheets are available as open-access publications on our website.

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About the author:

Dr. Kadri Reis is a researcher at the CNTR research group “Chemical and Biological Weapons Control” at PRIF. Her research focuses on the nonproliferation and disarmament of chemical and biological weapons as well as on biosecurity issues.

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