Compared to the version 5, OLIGO 6 has several changes. The major enhancements are listed below.
1. Consensus Oligo Search
This feature allows researchers to select primers or probes which target multiple sequence files across given organisms or gene families. This function will facilitate selection of consensus primers, a feature which our diverse user base has indicated is of great importance to their research.
2. Elimination of Frequent Sequences (a new type of subsearch for primers)
A subsearch has been developed that avoids frequent sequences (found in different subsets of GenBank) at 3' ends of the primers. This improves the chances of finding a non-false priming primer.
3. Enhancements to the Search for Primers & Probes Protocol
The primer and probe search protocol allows the user to "lock" every parameters such as, Tm range or 3' stability DG settings, so that the automatically change stringency setting, which incrementally relaxes each parameter, is more controlled during a search. In addition, the user can choose to balance PCR Primers according to the priming efficiency number rather than Tm which has been shown to provide better amplification results.
4. Save Your Work
The new Save Your Work feature allows each user within the laboratory to save every screen in the program and return to the identical data at a later time. A related feature allows each user to save customized parameter settings for specialized applications.
5. OLIGO Back Up
Oligo version 5 did not allow for making back up copies of the registered program. This created problems for users who had hard disk crashes or automatic back up systems. Registered Oligo 6 software is possible to back up, so you don't need to ask us for a new access code each time when something wrong happens to your computer, but only you need to re-load the backed up copy.
6. OLIGO Database
format file is now compatible with Excel. Old Oligo database files are compatible with the newest version, but databases generated by Oligo 6 are not compatible with the old Oligo versions.
7. Improved Features
The improved graphic features (a) for the new version allow screens to be displayed in either a bar or a dot graph. Secondly (b), DNA primers may contain U residues, so that you can design oligos that can be digested with uracil hydroxylase. Thirdly (c), more information is displayed in certain windows, such as the priming efficiency number in the key information, PCR window, and display of the Tm in the database. The Mutagenesis window (d) displays a baloon help explaining amino acid symbols. OLIGO database can be sorted in more than one field (e). This is especially useful when handling large databases. The Priming Efficiency algorithm has been improved (f).
Oligo Lite is a basic software for primers and probes selection. You may design probes even from protein sequence files. Compared to OLIGO 5 the features # 2, 3, 4, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d have been implemented. This version is not copy protected. Features that are lacking, compared to v. 6, are: the database along with the order form, analysis of hairpins, multiplexing, LCR, concentrations and hybridization time, search for hairpin loop stems, palindromes and restriction enzyme sites. The search for Primers & Probes has no 'Consensus Primers' subsearch, 'Continue False Priming Search in Other File(s)' and 'Frequent Oligos' subsearch options. The 'search for a string' is available only from the Edit windows.
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