LANL said Monday that the new version classifies DNA fragments by recognizing patterns and linking them to their function and phylogeny based on a database of previously classified genomes.
“Sequedex software can now identify sequences from viruses and fungi at parts-per-million levels in a sequenced sample,” said Benjamin McMahon, a scientist in LANL’s theoretical biology and biophysics group.
The software helps researchers or healthcare professionals analyze DNA sequences at a faster pace and features functions for self-updates and the plotting of results, LANL said.
Sequedex is a recipient of R&D Magazine’s 2012 R&D 100 award.
McMahon and fellow LANL scientists Joel Berendzen, Judith Cohn, Mira Dimitrijevic and Nick Hengartner developed Sequedex.