Long-read sequencing (method of the year 2022): The way forward for plant omics research

Long-read sequencing (LRS) technology along with the recent development of computational tools, crowned the “method of the year 2022” ( Marx, 2023 Marx V. Method of the Year 2022: long-read sequencing. Nat. Methods. 2023; 20: 6-11 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar ), have made it possible to sequence and assemble the genomes of practically every representative species ( Kovaka et al., 2023 Kovaka S. Ou S. Jenike K.M. Schatz M.C. Approaching complete genomes, transcriptomes and epi-omes with accurate long-read sequencing. Nat. Methods. 2023; 20: 12-16 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar ). By considering its immense role and potential in advancing scientific research, the LRS market was valued at $1.35 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to reach $4.4 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14.4% from 2022 to 2031 (polarismarketresearch.com). Here, we discuss the current state and advantages of LRS technologies, the successful cases and novel discoveries with LRS, potential broad applications in plant genomics research, and the challenges that still need to be overcome in the future.