Error-correcting barcoded primers allow hundreds of samples to be pyrosequenced in multiplex

摘要

We have constructed error-correcting DNA barcodes that allow one run of a massively parallel pyrosequencer to process up to 1544 samples simultaneously. We have used these barcodes to process 16S ribosomal DNA sequences representing 286 microbial communities, correct 92% of sample assignment errors, and nearly double the known 16S rRNA sequences. In principle, our approach has myriad applications.