Similarity searching using BLAST.
Similarity searches are an essential component of most bioinformatic applications. They form the bases of structural motif identification, gene identification, and insights into functional associations. With the rapid increase in the available genetic data through a wide variety of databases, similarity searches are an essential tool for accessing these data in an informative and productive way. In this chapter, we provide an overview of similarity searching approaches, related databases, and parameter options to achieve the best results for a variety of applications. We then provide a worked example and some notes for consideration.
Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
Kit J
KJ
Menlove
Mark
M
Clement
Keith A
KA
Crandall
D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D003628:Database Management Systems; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D016415:Sequence Alignment / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface