Sanger DNA Sequencing: Data Retrieval
Sanger DNA Sequencing results are posted on our website immediately after our sequencing experts have inspected each individual Sanger DNA Sequencing chromatogram (trace file) of the corresponding sequencing run. Users will receive an automated email notification once their sequencing data can be securely accessed through our website.
We strongly encourage our users to download their sequencing data (chromatogram files, text files, quality files) as soon as they are available. The MGH CCIB DNA Core does not provide the option of long-term data archiving; all data generated at our core facility are kept for about three months before being deleted from our server.
Download/View Sequencing Results:
To access our data server, please log into your account and click on the My Results button. Please note that you have several options to download and view your sequencing results:
Download a compressed file (*.sit) containing chromatogram files (*.ab1), sequence files (*.txt), quality files (*.qual), and trace image file (.gif) for each sample of the corresponding order
Download an uncompressed file *(.seq) with a single concatenated text file (in FASTA format) of all nucleotide sequences generated for the corresponding order
View quality score (*.qual) for each individual sample
View trace file (*.ab1) for each individual sample
Download individual trace file (*.ab1), sequence file (*.seq), or quality file (*.qual)
Decompression Software:
To open compressed *.sit files on your computer, you can use Stuffit Expander (free) or WinZip (trial version). To download, please select the appropriate link below:
Stuffit Expander
WinZip for Windows
WinZip for Mac
Please note:
*.seq files are plain text files containing your sequence in FASTA format
and can be opened with any software capable of viewing plain text or FASTA format files
(text editor software such as Word, NotePad, etc.). You may also change the file extension from *.seq to
*.txt.
*.ab1 files can be viewed (and edited) only with software programs capable of opening chromatogram files.
Free Sequence/ChromatogramViewing Software:
You can download your preferred software (appropriate for your computer platform and its operating system) from the respective web page by selecting the appropriate link from the table below. Please note that you might have to configure your computer so it can recognize trace files.
| Windows | Max OS X |
| Chromas Lite 2.1.1 | - |
| ABI Sequence Scanner v1.0 | - |
| ABI Peak Scanner | - |
| Finch TV | Finch TV |
| - | 4Peaks |
| TraceViewer | TraceViewer |
Configuring Your Computer (Mac OS 8/9):
The 3100 Conversion Utility from ABI allows you to convert the chromatograms from the format created by the ABI 3130 xl Genetic Analyzer to a format that can be read with EditView. EditView is available from ABI (www.appliedbiosystems.com/support/software).