Sequencing Errors and Alternative DNA Structures

Explore the impact of non-canonical DNA structures on sequencing errors in this 30-minute webinar presented by Dr. Matthias H. Weissensteiner, an evolutionary biologist and bioinformatician at the Institute of Avian Research. Delve into the world of alternative DNA structures, such as G-quadruplexes, cruciforms, and Z-DNA, which comprise approximately 13% of the human genome and play crucial roles in cellular processes. Discover how these non-B DNA structures affect polymerase and helicase activity, potentially leading to increased sequencing errors across various technologies including Illumina, Pacific Biosciences HiFi, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Learn about the specific error patterns observed for different non-B motifs and their implications for low-read-depth studies, rare variant detection, and future research combining multiple sequencing technologies. Gain valuable insights into the challenges and considerations for accurately sequencing and analyzing regions with alternative DNA structures, essential knowledge for genomics researchers and bioinformaticians working with diverse sequencing data.