created: 14th January 1998, last updated: 14th January 1998, © 1998 ABRF
The DNA Sequence Research Group (DSRG) has completed their 1996-1997 study in which they investigated the effects of DMSO, altered thermocycling profiles, and manual editing on DNA sequence accuracy of a 72% GC-rich template. The DSRG poster presentation at ABRF '97 in Baltimore resulted in two collaborations. The first collaboration, with Dr. Steve Goff, Maureen Milnamow, and Allen Morgan of Novartis (who graciously analyzed the committee's data using the PHRED algorithm), resulted in an analysis of the data allowing the DSRG to present their data in a manner used extensively by genome centers thereby expanding the audience that might find this type of data useful. The second collaboration with Dr. Max Karlovitz of Wagner Associates, Inc., a mathematical analysis company, was reported in the June issue of ABRF News. This joint effort resulted in a sophisticated statistical analysis of the committee's data yielding significant figures out to seven decimal places. The results of these two collaborations and further committee analyses were presented at the 9th International Genome and Sequence Analysis Conference at Hilton Head, SC, Sept. 13-16, 1997 as a poster presentation and also as part of the of the ABRF-sponsored roundtable discussion on "Current Methodologies Used in DNA Sequencing Core Laboratories".
The study for 1997-1998, in the planning stages, will try to address the benefits and results a lab can expect when using various new hardware and chemistry upgrades. A survey regarding current practices in DNA sequencing laboratories is also planned. The DSRG plans to conduct the entire study electronically. Initial analyses will be presented at ABRF '98.
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