You can create new constructs in MacVector by selecting two restriction enzyme sites, choosing Edit -> Copy, selecting a target restriction site in a different molecule and then choosing Edit -> Paste. It works great and fully understands compatible overhanging sticky ends preventing you from accidentally creating biologically impossible molecules. However, a far more flexible […]
MacVector 14 saw the introduction of the new Primer Database tool. This allows you to save and retrieve primers from the Primer Database from the Primer3 and Quicktest Primer tools. You can also scan sequences for potential primer binding sites. The tool comes with a starter database of primers, but you can use existing subsequence […]
Although we think that the default appearance of sequence maps in MacVector is very pretty, sometimes the defaults are not to everybody’s taste! If you think this way, then changing how maps look is very easy. As usual with MacVector, there are many ways to quickly edit the appearance of a feature or multiple features. […]
MacVector understands the difference between circular DNA molecules and linear DNA molecules. Not just from the standpoint of how the molecule is displayed on the screen, but also in regard to how the analysis algorithms handle the junction at the ends of the circle. The Topology button controls the underlying linear versus circular state of […]
MacVector tries to optimize the Map graphics layout using a trade-off between performance and minimizing unnecessary white space. Sometimes the default settings we have chosen are not ideal, particularly if you are looking at the Map tab of an Align To Reference window where you have a large number of reads overlapping the same region. […]
Where appropriate, features can be shown as residues when there is sufficient space to show them (for example when zoomed to residue). By default this is enabled for certain features, e.g. CDS features, genes, but it is controlled from the Symbol Editor and can be turned on/off for most features. In the Map tab, double […]
Calculating an accurate melting temperature of your oligos, your template and of the predicted product is important to set the cycling parameters of your PCR machine. To test a pair of primers, use Primer Design (Primer3). Open your template sequence Run ANALYZE > PRIMER DESIGN/TEST (Pairs) Click on the Use This Primer checkbox for both […]
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. […]
So you’ve finally go the graphics for that new construct looking absolutely fabulous in MacVector and you want to get it into an image editing program (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or even PowerPoint) ready for that critical presentation. How best to do it? The easiest way, by far, is to simply choose Edit->Copy to copy […]
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 […]