BioTechniques (Jun 2000)

Strategies for Searching Sequence Databases

  • Hugh B. Nicholas,
  • David W. Deerfield,
  • Alexander J. Ropelewski

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2144/00286bc01
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 6
pp. 1174 – 1191

Abstract

Read online

We provide a detailed overview of the choices inherent in performing a sequence database search, including the choice of algorithm, substitution matrix and gap model. Each of these choices has implications that can be described as restrictions on the underlying model of sequence evolution, the expected degree of divergence between the query sequence and the database sequences (if one uses an evolutionary based matrix), as well as the sensitivity and selectivity of the search. We conclude with a series of recommendations for researchers performing these searches based on our experience and literature studies.