Contig

Definition

A contig is a set of overlapping DNA sequences that together represent a consensus region of DNA. Contigs are used in genome sequencing to assemble continuous sections of a genome.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Contigs are derived from the process of whole-genome shotgun sequencing.
2. The term 'contig' is short for 'contiguous sequence'.
3. Contigs help in identifying the sequence and arrangement of nucleotides in larger DNA fragments.
4. They play a crucial role in closing gaps during genome assembly.
5. Software algorithms are often used to align and merge shorter DNA reads into contigs.

Review Questions

• What is a contig and how is it formed?
• Why are contigs important in genome sequencing?
• How do software algorithms assist in the creation of contigs?

Related terms

Scaffold: A scaffold is an ordered set of contigs with gaps that can be filled with additional sequencing data.

Shotgun Sequencing: A method used to randomly break up DNA sequences into small pieces and then reassemble them by looking for regions of overlap.

Genome Assembly: The process of piecing together the entire genome sequence from smaller fragments generated by sequencing methods.