|
| Thursday, 29 May 2014, 14:30 HKT/SGT | |
| |  | |
Source: A*STAR | |
|
|
|
SINGAPORE, May 29, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - Researchers from A*STAR's Bioinformatics Institute (BII) have developed the first mobile application for Android phones that analyses ab1(1) DNA sequencing files, which enables science professionals and amateur enthusiasts to engage in scientific analysis on the go, from the convenience of their mobile phones.
 | | Pocket Science: New Mobile Application Enables DNA Analysis On The Go |
DNA sequencing is a commonly used technique which has advanced many areas of biological research, from the understanding of genetic information to the causes and treatment of human diseases. However, analysis of DNA sequencing files used to be carried out only on computers. This frustrated Dr Samuel KE Gan, molecular cell biologist and team leader of Antibody & Product Development (APD) Laboratory, when he wanted to work when travelling. He presented the challenge to his computer science research officer Mr Nguyen Phi Vu, to find a better way to read data on the move. What resulted was the "DNAApp", developed in just three months, which allowed him to read and analyse DNA sequencing files on his mobile phone.
Dr Gan's team published the app freely on Google Play store and Apple app store for scientists worldwide so that they too can improve their efficiency and productivity. Since its launch in early April, "DNAApp" has been downloaded more than 300 times by users from more than 11 different countries.
"DNAApp" enables the visualisation and analysis of DNA sequencing files simply with the use of any iOS or Android mobile device. The application lets users assess the quality of DNA sequences and carries out commonly used functions of DNA sequencing analysis, such as reverse complementation, translation, and the ability to search for specific sequences. The latter function is important for researchers who want to locate specific segments in their sequences to identify regions of biological relevance.
Also available for the iOS platform, this native application(2) is faster and more efficient, tapping on the convenience of mobile devices to raise productivity in the lab. The "DNAApp" can work without internet access, and is designed to adapt to the smaller sizes and sensitivity of touch-screen devices. "DNAApp" has features that aid analysis such as the ability to search, swipe or "jump to" a specific section of a sequence and the incorporation of fast and end-scrolling icons. These allow the application to complement existing web-based bioinformatics tools for deeper analysis.
"We are excited to see that 'DNAApp' has proven to be a useful tool for the busy scientist. As the use of mobile devices and their applications become increasingly widespread, we hope to continue to be at the forefront of technology - creating new bioinformatics tools for the advancement of scientific knowledge and making science accessible," said Dr Gan.
Besides the research on antibodies and viral mutations, the laboratory plans to continue developing mobile applications that aid analysis in molecular and microbiology. Like the "DNAApp", these applications will raise productivity in the laboratories and have the added potential to be used as educational tools.
Dr Frank Eisenhaber, Executive Director at BII, said "Thanks to the initiative of Dr. Samuel Gan, the new DNAApp software developed for smart-phones adds an exciting new dimension in the DNA sequence analysis software field. For the first time, a mobile phone application is productive for certain aspects of sequencing data studies. At BII, we will continue to develop creative ideas for useful and efficient tools and techniques in computational biology for applications in the life science field."
(1) ab1 files are data files belonging to the Applied Biosystems Genetic Analysis data file format, and are specific to DNA sequencing. Such files require specific programs that understand their raw data and can represent it as a chromatogram, or visual representation of a sequenced DNA sample.
(2) Native applications are applications that are developed for use on a particular platform. In this case, two versions of DNAApp were created - for the Android and IOS platforms.
About the Bioinformatics Institute (BII)
The Bioinformatics Institute (BII) is an institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). BII was set up in July 2001 as part of the national initiative to foster and advance biomedical research and human capital for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore. With a multi-disciplinary focus and collaborative outlook, BII recognises the need for depth and breadth in all its activities for building a thriving world-class biomedical research, graduate training and development hub in Singapore. In addition, BII is proactively involved in building a national resource centre in bioinformatics to meet the evolving needs of the scientific community in Singapore. For more information on BII, please visit: www.bii.a-star.edu.sg.
Contact:
Vanessa Loh
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6826 6395
Email: vanessa_loh@a-star.edu.sg
Topic: New Product
Source: A*STAR
Sectors: Daily Finance, Science & Research, BioTech
http://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
Copyright © 2024 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A*STAR |
| Dec 6, 2022 14:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Global pharma giants partner Singapore researchers to boost innovation in biologics and vaccines manufacturing |
| June 2, 2022 21:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Boehringer Ingelheim Enters Global Licensing Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Innovative Antibodies from A*STAR for Targeted Cancer Therapies |
| June 2, 2022 21:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Boehringer Ingelheim Enters Global Licensing Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Innovative Antibodies from A*STAR for Targeted Cancer Therapies |
| Sept 30, 2021 16:00 HKT/SGT |
|
A*STAR and Local SME Work with Vaccination Centres to Deploy AVID System for Filling Syringes |
| July 31, 2020 08:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Singapore Cancer Drug ETC-159 Advances Further in Clinical Trials |
| July 24, 2020 17:00 HKT/SGT |
|
MP Biomedicals and A*STAR Co-Develop Rapid Antibody Test Kit for SARS-CoV-2 |
| Oct 22, 2019 04:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Fujitsu, SMU and A*STAR Launch Digital Platform Experimentation Project using Quantum-Inspired Computing and Deep Learning Technology |
| June 28, 2019 08:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Singapore's Drug Development Efforts Given Additional Momentum with National Platforms |
| Apr 5, 2019 18:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Passing of Dr Sydney Brenner, Nobel Laureate, Renowned Pioneer in Molecular Biology, A*Star Senior Fellow |
| Jan 21, 2019 13:00 HKT/SGT |
|
Branched-Chain Amino Acids Found to Regulate the Development and Progression of Cancer |
| More news >> |
 |
|
|
|
