The Role of Nucleotide Sequencing in Natural Product Drug Discovery

For millennia, humans have drawn upon natural sources for medicinal remedies. However, the discovery process was often a serendipitous endeavor, and the true biosynthetic potential of the planet's biodiversity remained largely hidden. The advent of nucleotide sequencing offered a pivotal shift, providing tools to decipher the cryptic codes within biosynthetic machinery. In this Perspective, I describe the arc of the sequencing era, from its foundational impact to the current landscape of sophisticated bioinformatic tools. Furthermore, I will address the international legal frameworks being implemented to protect the very biodiversity upon which the field of natural product discovery relies.