The Hitachi Software MiraiBio Group Blog

DNASIS SmartNote is a web application that is capable of doing what a stand-alone desktop software does BUT inside a browser.  With this capability comes some requirements needed to power the web application.  Here is a list of some requirements as well as some recommendations to optimize your DNASIS SmartNote experience:

1. Web browser - The latest version of FireFox (v3) is highly recommended for a much faster usage of DNASIS SmartNote.
2. JavaScript - JavaScript is required in using DNASIS SmartNote.  If you are having issues loading up or viewing the application, your JavaScript may be disabled.  Here are some instructions for enabling JavaScript in different browsers.
3. Screen Resolution - A minimum screen resolution of 1024 X 768 is recommended although I would use 1280 X 1024 or higher if possible.
4. Avoid cramming - Avoid running all your analyses on one single page.  This will slow down the loading of your page.  Instead, create new pages by clicking on the Add Page link on the top of the left navigation tree.

This latest major upgrade of MasterPlex QT includes a makeover of the entire user interface.  Beneath the new sleek design, there is a host of major improvements in algorithms, data reporting, charting and features such as the new Best Fit feature.  This feature automatically selects the optimal model equation and weighting algorithm for each analyte with a push of a button.

The official product release date is 9/22/08.

For more information, visit the MasterPlex QT v4.0 product information page.

The DNASIS SmartNote development team has made several major improvements to its features and usability:

Individual Blogs
Each DNASIS SmartNote account now includes its own blog. Instead of sharing your posts on a blog with every other DNASIS SmartNote user (and the development team), you can now have your own blog. Just click the “Blog” tab to start blogging about your work to your friends and colleagues.

Better Sequence Selection
Before, you had to select sequences by checking each one, then add them to a tray, then analyze the tray with a tool. Now, as you click on sequences, they are dynamically added to a “Selected Sequences” box in the left pane. And when you’re ready, you can click the “Analyze” button to immediately select a Tool to use to analyze your selected sequences. It’s simpler and saves time.

New UI for Left Pane
You may have noticed that DNASIS SmartNote looks different, particularly the left pane. We’ve added accordion panes that dynamically grow and shrink depending on what you are doing at any given moment. This let us simplify the rest of the interface, so you only see the most important functions depending on what you’re doing.

New Tool Verification System
Your analyses will run more reliably with this new behind-the-scenes verification system that validates sequences and parameters.

New User-Friendly UI for Importing Sequences into DNASIS SmartNote
We’ve made it easier to import sequences into SmartNote, from local files on your computer, the Web or your Clipboard.

Integrated xMAP Microsphere Bead Ordering
You can now add beads to a shopping cart with a single click from your ASPE and xTAG results. This saves time and helps you make sure you’re ordering the correct beads that correspond to your analysis.

New siRNA - DEQOR Tool
The DEQOR tool has been added to help you design RNA interference experiments. Its advanced algorithms score siRNAs based on sequence length, GC-content, nucleotide composition and cross-silencing ability.

New JavaScript ORF Finder Tool
This new ORF Finder is much faster than the previous one!

Improved Security and Many Bug Fixes
DNASIS SmartNote is now even more secure and more reliable.

We hope you enjoy the new features in DNASIS SmatNote. Please keep telling us what you’d like us to add or change. We look forward to hearing from you!

DNASIS MAX has the ability to search for homologous sequences to your sequence with BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool). BLAST finds regions of local similarity between sequences. The program compares nucleotide or protein sequences to sequence databases and calculates the statistical significance of matches. BLAST can be used to infer functional and evolutionary relationships between sequences as well as help identify members of gene families.

The following procedure guides you through utilizing BLAST against NCBI’s sequence databases.

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