Whole Genome vs Exome Sequencing
What is the Difference Between the Whole Genome and the Exome?
The complete genomic information within a sample or individual is known as the whole genome. Exons are the genome's protein-coding regions and are collectively known as the exome. Despite the exome's relatively small proportion of the whole genome (approximately 2%), exomes encode most known disease-related variants.
When to Use Whole-Genome or Whole-Exome Sequencing
Use
When you need to:
Whole-Genome Sequencing
- Analyze the whole genome, including coding, non-coding, and mitochondrial DNA
- Discover novel genomic variants (structural, single nucleotide, insertion-deletion, copy number)
- Identify previously unknown variants for future targeted studies
Whole-Exome Sequencing
- Increase throughput capabilities
- Optimize cost per sample
- Analyze manageable data sets and maximize data storage
Whole-Genome vs. Whole-Exome Sequencing Infographic
Explore the benefits of both approaches to understand which method is best for your research.
Download InfographicFeatured Sequencing Articles
Why Researchers Chose Whole-Genome Sequencing
Read how whole-genome sequencing can capture important information in the nucleosome to reveal genes that drive metastatic cancers.
When to Combine Whole-Genome and Exome Sequencing
See how combining whole-genome and exome sequencing can yield important insights into variants related to autoimmune disorders such as lupus.
Scale Up to Whole-Genome Sequencing with the DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform
Learn how adopting the DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform can help you scale up your whole-genome sequencing needs with accuracy and reliability.
Featured Webinars
Whole-Genome Sequencing in Clinical Care
Learn how whole-genome sequencing is gaining momentum for precision diagnosis to improve future clinical care.
Merging Whole-Genome and Exome Sequencing
Discover how Dr. Kristen Brennand incorporates whole-genome and exome sequencing to reveal complex disease pathways and phenotypes in neuropsychiatric disease.
Related Solutions
Whole-Genome Sequencing
Read more about how a comprehensive view of the genome enables efficient discovery of important variants and novel genome assembly.
Exome Sequencing
When whole-genome sequencing is not needed, explore how exome sequencing can provide a cost-effective and more accessible way to manage data for quicker analysis.
Next-Generation Sequencing
Discover how the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS) can reveal genomic and transcriptomic information in a scalable and high-throughput format.
Featured Products
Illumina DNA Prep
A fast, integrated workflow for a wide range of applications, from human whole-genome sequencing to amplicons, plasmids, and microbial species.
Illumina DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform
Perform accurate, ultra-rapid secondary analysis of sequencing data.
NovaSeq 6000
Scalable throughput and flexibility for virtually any genome, sequencing method, and scale of project.