Two computer programs for rapid entry of DNA sequence data

Two computer programs for the IBM personal computer are describedfor rapid and accurate entry of DNA sequence data. The DNA sequencefiles produced can be used directly by the DNA sequence manipulationprograms by R. Staden (the DataBase system), the Universityof Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group, DNASTAR, or D. Mount.The first program, DIGISEQ, utilizes a sonic digitizer for semi-automationof sequence entry. To enter the DNA sequence each band of agel reading is touched by the stylus of the sonic digitizer.DIGISEQ corrects for both changes in lane width and lane curvature.The algorithm is extremely efficient and rarely requires re-entenngthe centers of the lanes. The second program, TYPESEQ, usesonly the keyboard for input. The keyboard is reconfigured toplace nucleotides and ambiguity codes under the fingers of onehand, corresponding to the order of the nucleotides on the geldefined by the user Both programs produce individual tones foreach nucleotide, and certain ambiguity codes. This verifiesinput of the correct nucleotide or ambiguity code, and thuseliminates the need to visually check the screen display duringsequence entry. Received on November 16, 1986; accepted on June 16, 1987