DNA is the hereditary material found in living cells that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. DNA sequencing determines the precise order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule, which began in the 1970s with the Maxam-Gilbert and Sanger methods. The Sanger method, also known as chain termination, is the most common approach and involves enzymatic synthesis of complementary strands with termination at specific positions to determine the sequence. Modern techniques like next-generation sequencing and whole genome sequencing have increased sequencing speed and scalability.