Advantages of RNA-Seq technology

Wider dynamic range and higher sensitivity than microarrays, with novel transcript detection

RNA-Seq and Microarray Technology Comparison

RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology enables rapid profiling and deep investigation of the transcriptome, for any species. This approach offers a number of advantages compared to microarray analysis, a legacy technology often used in gene expression studies.

RNA-Seq Technology Overview

Ability to detect novel transcripts: Unlike arrays, RNA-Seq technology does not require species- or transcript-specific probes. It can detect novel transcripts, gene fusions, single nucleotide variants, indels (small insertions and deletions), and other previously unknown changes that arrays cannot detect.1,2

Wider dynamic range: With array hybridization technology, gene expression measurement is limited by background at the low end and signal saturation at the high end. RNA-Seq technology produces discrete, digital sequencing read counts, and can quantify expression across a larger dynamic range (>105 for RNA-Seq vs. 103 for arrays).1,2,3

Higher specificity and sensitivity: Compared to microarrays, RNA-Seq technology can detect a higher percentage of differentially expressed genes, especially genes with low expression.4-6

Simple detection of rare and low-abundance transcripts: Sequencing coverage depth can easily be increased to detect rare transcripts, single transcripts per cell, or weakly expressed genes.

Transitioning from Arrays to RNA-Seq

Access a detailed comparison of microarray and RNA-Seq technologies, from the perspective of a sequencing service provider.

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“mRNA-Seq offers improved specificity, so it’s better at detecting transcripts, and specifically isoforms, than microarrays. It’s also more sensitive in detecting differential expression and offers increased dynamic range.”

Steve McPhail
President and Chief Executive Officer, Expression Analysis

In the past, next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis required extensive bioinformatics expertise, presenting a major hurdle to adoption of RNA sequencing technology by biologists. The latest user-friendly tools vastly simplify the analysis process, providing accessible solutions for researchers without a bioinformatics background.

Explore RNA-Seq Data Analysis Tools

Benchtop RNA-Seq Technology

The NextSeq 2000 System supports a broad range of conventional and emerging applications, from transcriptome sequencing to exome sequencing, single-cell profiling, and more.

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The portion of NIH grant funding allocated to new RNA sequencing vs. gene expression microarray-inclusive grants has been trending towards RNA-Seq technology for the last several years, and now constitutes the majority. Download our transcriptomics eBook to see the evidence.

Empowering Transcriptomics

This eBook discusses how NGS is advancing gene expression research, and includes a section on the advantages of RNA-Seq over arrays.

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Each RNA sequencing experiment type—whether it’s gene expression profiling, targeted RNA expression, or small RNA analysis—has unique requirements for read length and depth. This bulletin reviews experimental considerations and offers resources to help with study design.

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RNA Sequencing Considerations

Annika Sonntag, PhD and her team originally used microarrays to measure RNA expression, but needed to see exon-specific RNA expression as well. After comparing many technologies, they chose Illumina NGS for their gene expression studies.

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Precision Immunotherapies Using Tumor-Specific HLA Ligands
Beginner's Guide to Next-Generation Sequencing

Considering bringing next-generation sequencing to your lab, but unsure where to start? These resources cover key topics in NGS and are designed to help you plan your first experiment.

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Beginner's Guide to Next-Generation Sequencing

Explore a wide variety of RNA-Seq methods, from mRNA-Seq to specialized methods for analyzing RNA from cancer samples and more.

See All RNA-Seq Methods

Our enhanced RNA-Seq library prep portfolio offers rapid turnaround time, broad study flexibility, and sequencing scalability.

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Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

Providing a high-resolution view of cell-to-cell variation.

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References
  1. Wang Z, Gerstein M, Snyder M. RNA-Seq: a revolutionary tool for transcriptomics. Nat Rev Genet. 2009;10:57–63.
  2. Wilhelm BT, Landry JR. RNA-Seq—quantitative measurement of expression through massively parallel RNA sequencing. Methods. 2009;48:249–57.
  3. Zhao S, Fung-Leung WP, Bittner A, and Ngo K, Liu X. Comparison of RNA-Seq and microarray in transcriptome profiling of activated T cells. PLoS One. 2014;16;9(1):e78644.
  4. Wang C, Gong B, Bushel PR, et al. The concordance between RNA-seq and microarray data depends on chemical treatment and transcript abundance. Nat Biotechnol. 2014;32:926–932.
  5. Li J, Hou R, Niu X, et al. Comparison of microarray and RNA-Seq analysis of mRNA expression in dermal mesenchymal stem cells. Biotechnol Lett. 2016;38:33–41.
  6. Liu Y, Morley M, Brandimarto J, et al. RNA-Seq identifies novel myocardial gene expression signatures of heart failure. Genomics. 2015;105:83–89.