ORIGINAL ARTICLE, p 731 In this issue of the BJD, Tenedini et al.1 report on diagnostic testing for epidermolysis bullosa (EB) using both a polymerase chain reaction‐directed library‐generation approach that targets 34 selected EB candidate genes, and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology. EB is a complex disorder, with an ever‐expanding list of genes known to harbour mutations associated with the phenotype. The primary characteristic is skin blistering with little trauma that may cover large portions of the body or may be restricted to smaller areas such as the hands and feet. The phenotypic spectrum is broad, and some patients have extensive blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, which may compromise the airway and result in demise in the neonatal period. Additionally, some forms result in deformities due to scarring, pyloric atresia or muscular dystrophy. The list of EB types and the associated genes is now at 18, with new varieties appearing frequently.2 Until recently, genetic testing was a multistep process starting with a skin biopsy to define the cleavage plane in the affected tissue and to narrow down the list of genes to sequence. The stepwise sequencing approach could take many months to identify the causative mutation. In approximately 5–15% of cases, mutations are not identified by this approach.3,4,5 In addition the cost of sequencing multiple genes could run quite high and be out of reach for many patients and laboratories. NGS is the new approach to gene sequencing and can be used to cover a large gene panel or, if needed, the entire exome in one step and more quickly than sequential gene testing for EB.