DNA Sequencing

Hello. I am a friendly detective, and my name is DNA Sequencing. I help read the most wonderful secret code in the whole world. Every living thing, like you, your puppy, and the tall trees outside, has this secret code inside them. It's called DNA. You can think of DNA as a very long, long necklace made of sparkly, colorful beads. For a very long time, no one knew the order of the beads. It was a beautiful, happy mystery waiting to be solved. I was so excited to help everyone learn the secret.

There once was a very clever and kind scientist named Frederick Sanger. He was curious about the secret bead necklace inside every living thing. He wanted to read the code to understand what makes a flower a flower and what makes a kitty a kitty. So, he worked very hard to find a way. In the year 1977, he invented me. I became his special magnifying glass. With me, he could finally see the pattern of the tiny beads. I helped him read the secret order. I would shout, 'It’s red, then blue, then green, then yellow.' I was so happy to help him read the amazing story of life.

Now that I can read the secret DNA code, I get to help in so many wonderful ways. I help doctors understand why you have shiny brown eyes or curly hair. I help them keep you strong and healthy. I also help farmers grow the sweetest strawberries and the crunchiest apples for you to eat. And I love helping scientists take good care of amazing animals like giant pandas and big blue whales. I love reading the story of life inside every living thing because it helps make our world a happier and healthier place for everyone to share.