text: Many of the competitive single-molecule sequencing methods rely on the incorporation of fluorescently labeled nucleotides.  In next-generation sequencing, the fluorescence signal of clusters can be easily detected.  However, when the same concept is applied to single-molecule sequencing, the largest complication results from the high error rates.  Because it is difficult to detect single labeled molecules, these platforms suffer from low signal-to-noise ratios, often resulting in misdetection or non-detection of fluorescent signals.  In the case of magnetic sequencing, the signal measured is the changes in distance between two ends of a hairpin.  Such signal can be readily detected with standard cameras.  Thus, the signals are easier to detect, even without the use of expensive imaging devices.