RNA sequencing is the use of high throughput next generation sequencing technology to survey, characterize, and quantify the transcriptome of a genome. RNA sequencing has been used to analyze the pathogenesis of several malignancies such melanoma, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. RNA sequencing can identify differential expression of genes (DEG's), mutated genes, fusion genes, and gene isoforms in disease states. RNA sequencing has been used in the investigation of several colorectal diseases such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), and irritable bowel syndrome.