Final answer:
The primary advantage of whole-genome shotgun sequencing compared to map-based sequencing is the elimination of the requirement for prior mapping of the genome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Advantages of Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequencing
One of the main advantages of whole-genome shotgun sequencing compared to map-based sequencing is No Requirement for Prior Mapping. This method does not need prior knowledge of the genome to begin sequencing, which allows a potentially quicker start to the sequencing project. Unlike traditional genome sequencing like Sanger's method which is more time-consuming and expensive, shotgun sequencing can bypass the mapping stage, diving directly into breaking down and sequencing DNA fragments.
Furthermore, whole-genome shotgun sequencing can have a Higher Throughput because it sequences many small fragments of DNA in parallel, which can then be assembled into a complete genome. This is in contrast to map-based sequencing that requires sequential sequencing of larger, mapped DNA segments.
While the extraction of Structural Variations and the aspect of Lower Cost are debatable as advantages over map-based sequencing, the former largely depends on the complexity of the genome and the latter on the scale and advancements in sequencing technologies over time. Genomics has wide industrial applications, including biofuel development, agriculture, and personalized medicine, where the approach to sequencing can be pivotal.