PC/GENE: Sequence Entry and Assembly

The PC/GENE package of sequence management and analysis software provides a comprehensive set of over 70 programs capable of performing all of the analyzes routinely required by the molecular biologist. The software is distributed by IntelliGenetics, Inc., 700 East El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040. In Europe, the address is IntelliGenetics, Inc., c/o Amocolaan 2, B-2440 Geel, Belgium, and in Japan, Teijin, Ltd., Life & Science Project, 9F Urban Net Yokohama Bldg., 5-2 Nihon-Odori, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 23 1, Japan. Teijin distributes a copy of the software that runs on the NEC PC-9801. The types of tasks performed by analysis programs may be placed into four basic groups, since outlined by Cannon (1 ). These include editing, storage, and retrieval of sequence data; mapping of sites on nucleic acid or protein sequences; translation and location of protein coding regions and prediction of protein structure; and, finally, sequence comparison and homology searches. All of thes tasks are performed by the PC/GENE package. Examples of programs in each of these categories will be described in this and in the following chapters on PC/GENE. Because of space limitations, complete coverage of all programs is not possible. The PC/GENE package is accompanied by an excellent 600-page manual, and all of the programs contain on-line help. Thus, with a little practice, the novice can learn to use the programs for routine management and analysis of sequence data,