DNA sequencing by synthesis using Raman and infrared spectroscopy detection

A nucleoside triphosphate analogue having the structure:

• wherein B is a base and is adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil or thymine,
• wherein R″ is OH or H, and
• wherein R′:
• (i) comprises an azidomethyl moiety with chemical side groups, wherein said chemical side groups generate a unique or multiple Raman band shifts;
• (ii) has a Raman spectroscopy peak with wavenumber from 2000 cm−1 to 2300 cm−1 or a Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy peak with wavenumber from 2000 cm−1 to 2300 cm−1;
• and
• (iii) is cleaved by treatment with a reducing agent, which destroys the N3 group of the azidomethyl moiety with chemical side groups, thereby resulting in a 3′-OH.