Scientists recently published the largest genome ever sequenced and it belongs to the Mexican axolotl, a salamander with incredible regeneration capabilities. The fully sequenced genome is over 10 times the size of the human genome coming in at 32kb. Amazingly, these organisms have the capability to regrow entire limbs, repair spinal damage, and overall imitate Wolverine. Just kidding on the last one but still very impressive on the first two. While the regeneration capabilities of the axolotl are impressive, what this paper highlights are the powers of long-read sequencing and the power of these new sequencers. The team overcame over 18Gbp of long terminal repeats which would have made sequencing using short read or sanger methods impossible. Third generation sequencing technology is pushing genomic research further into what was once considered the unachievable and helping scientists better understand the importance of genomic elements once considered superfluous. How else are you or your lab using third generation sequencing?
