Category: General
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Simple but accurate restriction enzyme based clone construction using Copy and Paste
The quickest and simplest way to create restriction enzyme generated constructs in MacVector is to use Edit | Copy and Edit | Paste. The strategy to use is identical to copying a paragraph from one Microsoft Word document to insert into a second document. i.e. Select the restriction enzymes flanking the source fragment in either…
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Batch auto annotation of blank sequences with MacVector and AppleScript
Over the past few releases we’ve been making more MacVector tools to be scriptable with AppleScript. The latest is Auto Annotation. Auto Annotation is a great tool for curating your sequences. For example if you receive a unannotated sequence then you can scan it against other sequences to find. Blasting an unknown sequence, fetching the…
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Using the Primer Database to store your lab’s collection of primers
MacVector’s Primer Database allows you to save and retrieve primers from a Primer Database with the Primer3 and Quicktest Primer tools. You can also scan sequences for potential primer binding sites using Primer Database Search. The tool comes with a starter database of primers, but you can use existing subsequence files or import primers from…
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Creating a custom set of restriction enzymes containing just the enzymes in your freezer drawer.
MacVector has multiple tools for displaying restriction enzymes sites in your sequence. All of these tools use Restriction Enzyme files. These are a set of files, updated regularly from the REBASE database, grouped according to reagent supplier. Whereas the default file is “Common Enzymes” if you only purchase enzymes from NEB, then you can choose…
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Controlling the realism of Agarose Gels
The default settings for the agarose gel display in MacVector generate a reasonable photorealistic simulation of an agarose gel. We have actually boosted the intensity of small bands quite significantly, and reduced their diffusion so that smaller bands show up a little more obviously and crisply than they might in real life. Even so, you…
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Trial download and updating issues!
Over the past few weeks we’ve had a few reports of trial downloaders having problems installing the trial. We also had a few calls from users with problems updating to the latest release of MacVector 14.5 (14.5.3). The problem manifests itself by showing an error message that the file is “damaged” and cannot be installed.…
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Annotating the sequence in the Editor tab
You can very quickly annotate a region of interest in your sequence in the Editor tab. For example showing introns in lower case or highlighting CDS features with a colored background. To enter sequences as mixed case. Enable Edit | Transformations | Enable Mixed Case Entry Type your sequence using SHIFT or CAPS LOCK To…
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Removing a restriction site from a plasmid with the Cloning Clipboard
Being able to remove a restriction site by digesting with an enzyme that cuts at one site to linearize a plasmid, Klenow treating the linear fragment, then religating the fragment, is a useful trick in the lab. It can help you produce a suitable, and simple, cloning site when none previously existed in your vector.…
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Keep up to date with MacVector auxiliary files
MacVector has a large collection of data files that are installed in folders alongside the MacVector application. These include Restriction Enzymes files, Scoring Matrices, documentation, tutorials, a variety of common cloning vectors and even a few useful Applescripts. If you use MacVector’s built-in automatic updater to install each new release and bug-fix, you will find…