'Spell check' for DNA developed
Machine errors in gene sequencing can cause biologists to misinterpret which genes or microbial species are in their samples. The new software will help to pick up these errors. Image: dra_schwartz/iStockphoto A PhD student from CSIRO and The University of Queensland has found a better way to 'spell check' gene sequences and help biologists better understand the natural world.The student, Lauren Bragg, is a member of the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, which sits within UQ's School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences.Along with her co-authors, Lauren has contributed to the May issue of the prestigious journal Nature Methods highlighting her new approach and its software implementation called Acacia.Acacia analyses the output of next-generation gene sequencing instruments which read the four-letter alphabet of As, Cs, Ts and Gs – the 'bases' that code for DNA and spell out the genes of different living organisms. Acacia specifically applies to important parts of microbe genes called...