Sequence Search

Sequence searches involve comparing biological sequences (such as DNA, RNA, or protein sequences) to identify similarities, patterns, or functional relationships. They are normally used for obtaining an overview of the document landscape of a chosen amino acid or nucleotide sequence, for patentability evaluation, validity or Freedom to Operate evaluation.  

We offer two types of sequence searches:

• Standard fixed price search
• Comprehensive tailored search

This search covers nucleotide and protein sequences described in patent as well as non-patent literature. Within the patent area, the search covers sequences found in USPTO, INPADOC/EPO and WIPO/PCT from around 1980 and up to the present. In addition, the search covers sequences from open access databases like GenBank, EMBL and DDBJ (DNA Data Bank of Japan).

One of the following algorithms can be used for the search: BLAST, Percent Identity (GenePAST) and Fragment Search. GenePAST is a very good option for short sequences.

Upon conclusion of the search a report will be made. The report contains:

• An exact reference to the occurrence of the sequence looked out from the literature.
• Information about overlap, sequence length, organism, gene, etc. It is possible to group your search results according to e.g. alignment, organism, gene name or patent family.

This type of sequence search should be seen as a general survey, and if you plan to make further analyses such as freedom to operate, infringement, validity, etc., it may be necessary to conduct further searches in more databases using different algorithms or covering additional technical literature.

The more comprehensive search will normally be based on a standard search but will include keyword searching, analysis and categorization of the references found, tailored to fit each customer's need.