Hitachi Chemical Research Center, Inc.

Pavel A Pevzner

Masato Mitsuhashi

Michael S Waterman

Allan J Cooper

There is disclosed herein an invention which relates to the fields of genetic engineering, microbiology, and computer science, that allows a user, whether they be a molecular biologist or a clinical diagnostician, to calculate and design extremely specific oligonucleotide probes for DNA and mRNA hybridization procedures. The probes designed with this invention may be used for medical diagnostic kits, DNA identification, and potentially continuous monitoring of metabolic processes in human beings. The key features design oligonucleotide probes based on the GenBank database of DNA and mRNA sequences and examine candidate probes for specificity or commonality with respect to a user-selected experimental preparation. Two models are available: a Mismatch Model, that employs hashing and continuous seed filtration, and an H-Site Model, that analyzes candidate probes for their binding specificity relative to some known set of mRNA or DNA sequences. The preferred embodiment of this computerized design tool is written in the Borland.RTM. C++ language and runs under Microsoft.RTM. Windows.TM. on IBM.RTM. compatible personal computers.

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State College, PA, United States of America

Pavel A Pevzner