SnapGene Viewer

Working with DNA sequences can be a difficult task, even for those who are familiar with the matter. Luckily, some developers provide the necessary digital instruments for analyzing this type of data in an easier way.

SnapGene Viewer has been designed as a helpful tool for biologists to handle and exchange annotated DNA sequences easier and with less effort. The application works with files as large as 1GB.

Getting the application on the system is done through an uneventful installation process that includes the option to associate specific file extensions (sequences, sequence traces and archives) with SnapGene Viewer.

Due to the domain it has been built for, SnapGene is not accessible to all users. However, a single look at the interface shows that the developers did their best to come up with a layout that is intuitive and comprehensive at the same time.

As soon as a DNA file is loaded, there is a clear view of the map. There are multiple views available that allow toggling the display of enzymes on or off as well as showing the sequences, features or primers.

Among the list of features available in SnapGene Viewer there is the possibility to create a DNA sequence file from punching in the sequence and export it to a GenBank format.

It sports automatic annotation of common features but it also offers the opportunity to do it manually in the case of coding sequences as well as more particular features. Primers for PCR, sequencing, or mutagenesis can be designed and annotated, too.

The application does not feature the functionality included in tools of the same feather, but it offers support for the most frequently used operations as far as DNA sequence analysis is concerned.