Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Nanopore DNA Sequencing for Metagenomic Soil Analysis
Published on: December 14, 2017
Real-Time DNA Sequencing in the Antarctic Dry Valleys Using the Oxford Nanopore Sequencer
Sarah S Johnson1, Elena Zaikova2, David S Goerlitz3
1Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA;; Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
Abstract:
The ability to sequence DNA outside of the laboratory setting has enabled novel research questions to be addressed in the field in diverse areas, ranging from environmental microbiology to viral epidemics. Here, we demonstrate the application of offline DNA sequencing of environmental samples using a hand-held nanopore sequencer in a remote field location: the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Sequencing was performed using a MK1B MinION sequencer from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT; Oxford, United Kingdom) that was equipped with software to operate without internet connectivity. One-direction (1D) genomic libraries were prepared using portable field techniques on DNA isolated from desiccated microbial mats. By adequately insulating the sequencer and laptop, it was possible to run the sequencing protocol for up to 2½ h under arduous conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Maxam-Gilbert Sequencing
Challenges of the Maxam-Gilbert Method
The...
Next-generation Sequencing
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features....
Sanger Sequencing
RNA-seq
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while...

